A 10km high altitude valley walk to a lake (11,338ft) surrounded by rock scenery.Route: leaving the car again at the Mitchell Lake carpark (the previous $11 per car to enter the park covering 3 days). Taking the Mitchell Lake Trail and slowly ascending an easy path through trees with views to left and right of small lakes, climbing to an area of less vegetation with views of the broader rocky valley and eventually arriving at the foot of Blue Lake. Following a smaller track continuing round the lake counter-clockwise to an outcrop at the far end looking back over the lake and then a little further beyond to the next tarn up the valley. Seeing no continuing trail round the lake, retracing our steps.
Conditions: initial blue skies and sun, though cool at 10,000ft but, on the descent, cloud and rain coming in and on the drive back: hail.Critters: (seen) deer on the drive in in Lefthand Canyon, chipmunks and a big brown moose grazing beside the road on the drive out, just by Brainard Lake; (heard but not seen) marmots
Pub: the Asher Brewery, Gunbarrel (Boulder), for Tree Hugger Amber and Green Bullet IPA (and crisps!). The Avery Brewery, Gunbarrel, for Go Play IPA, Avery IPA, Double Dry-Hopped IPA, and Hog Heaven Imperial Red IPA and giant pretzel with nacho cheese sauce.
