Big Five / Little Five Lakes Loop

From the "camp" area I could look back and see the only decent trail in the bowl coming over the pass from Lost Canyon. The Peak here is Needham Mountain. I bet there is to be some cold and exposed nights to be had here at 10,970+ feet.

Columbine "Camp"

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

I started down into the Columbine Lake bowl, and as the trail reached the water, it ended in rocks and water. I could see a ledge a foot or so underwater that was used by horses to bypass a rocky ridge! I was not about to wade, so I had to seek a route and scramble my way through and over the rocks. I saw a bear box, probably to protect food from marmots and rodents. No bear would ever be found in such a high and rocky place. There were also a few bivy spots, but you were mostly out of luck if you had to stake out anything. The area was mostly solid granite slabs with some few sandy spots here and there.

From the "camp" area I could look across to Black Rock Pass. The Black Rock Pass trail was clearly visible.