Big Five / Little Five Lakes Loop

Sawtooth Peak over Columbine Lake from the trail summit out of Lost Canyon.

Columbine Lake

Big 5, Little 5 Lakes Loop and Sawtooth Pass, August 4th to 7th, 2000.

Turning around I was faced with the towering walls of Sawtooth Peak over the clear waters of Columbine Lake. Its sheer rocky face was an impressive sight, looking like some kind of massive spearhead. Other peaks were nearby, but none were as impressive or foreboding as Sawtooth Peak.

Sawtooth Pass is the low point on the left horizon. The "trail" is a multi-threaded affair going from the lake shore on the right, to the pass. It is not as easy as it looks. Columbine Lake does not look like it could support the Columbine flower.

Little did I know it then, but the route from where I was to Sawtooth Pass was darn near a cross-country route. On some maps, the trail stops at the lake from the east, and resumes at Monarch Lakes in the west!