The Sangre De Cristo Mountains are spectacular, even by Colorado standards. While only five miles wide in some places, from the valley floor this mountain range ascends 7,000 feet skyward with eight summits topping 14,000 feet. As a group, we will not be scrambling to any of the fourteeners, but the scenic payoffs of the distinctive landscape are still worth it. Known for the red hues that emerge on the range's peaks at sunrise and sunset, the daylight offers up views that contrast with the peaks--the green, wavy ranchland of the Wet Mountain Valley, broken only by country roads and homesteads. We'll find peace, solitude and some of the most beautiful scenery Colorado has to offer surrounded by alpine lakes and waterfalls nestled in lush green trails.
View of Comanche Lakes
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Round Trip Length: 14 mile loop done in 3 days, 2 nights
Elevation Gain/Loss: 3,600' Comanche/Venable TH: 9,000' Venable Lakes: 12,000' Venable Pass: 12,800' Comanche Lake: 11,660' Skill Level: Moderate yet Challenging Where: The trailhead is 170 miles (3.5 hours) southwest of Denver. Drive south from Westcliffe on CO 69 to Schoolfield Road, then west to Alvarado Campground and the Comanche-Venable TH. Gear Included: · Backpack · Sleeping bag and pad · Tent (2 people/tent) Group Size: Limited to 6 participants |
Kate will e-mail you a complete and detailed list of "What To Bring" upon registration! In the meantime, feel free to check out her Backpacking List.
Transportation is NOT included, however participants are encouraged to carpool amongst the group. Please do not count on being back in Denver for evening weekend plans; time and length of trip varies and Kate cannot guarantee a set return time.
Itinerary:
Day 1, Friday, August 2, 2013:
Meet at 6:15AM for orientation and planning. We'll need to distribute food evenly, pack backpacks, answer final questions.
6:45-7AM: Drive 3.5 hours to Comanche-Venable trailhead (TH). There is a bathroom at the trailhead.
10:30-11:30AM: Hike 5 miles on a steady incline through a beautiful ponderosa pine and aspen forest following along Venable Creek until we're just below Venable Lakes. It is a long, unbroken climb up the valley toward the Venable Lakes, while not particularly steep, it is unrelenting. After 1.8 miles we'll come to a spur trail that drops down a short distance to the shore of the creek where we'll check out Venable Falls. 1.3 miles beyond the falls, Venable Trail enters one of the most beautiful parts of the hike. Here the trail levels out at the mouth of Venable Basin, a wide glacier-sculpted alpine meadow backed by the 13,000 foot summit ridge that connects Venable and Comanche Peaks. COmplimenting the scene is an old miner's cabin that seems to have been built here just for the view. There we'll set up camp and connect with the Earth through meditation and yin yoga before dinner and relaxation. Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2, Saturday August 3, 2013:
Hike approximately 4 miles (relatively early) to the base of Venable Peak along the western slope of Spring Mountain to the Comanche trail via Phantom Terrace! The trail doesn't stay long at the bottom of the basin, and we immediately climb up the north side of the valley toward Venable Pass. Soon after leaving the cabin, the trail crosses timberline, and after 0.6 miles it arrives at the largest of the Venable Lakes. 0.4 miles after leaving Venable Lakes the trail comes to a junction marking the connection to Comanche Pass. The next 0.6 mile of trail gains another 340 feet before reaching 12,780 feet, the highest point on this hike, and crossing to the west side of the ridge. The last few hundred yards are along a very narrow constructed trail with significant exposure on the left side. The Phantom Terrace ledge is believed to be hauntingly named because it's difficult to see the trail on the slope until you get right up to it. This is the height of the incline, it is steep but doable however participants must be comfortable with heights. Winds can be strong and cold, so it is best to wear long sleeves, gloves and hat on this portion of the hike. Once crossing the Phantom Terrace ridge the trail heads south with very little change in elevation toward Comanche Pass. It reaches the pass after 1.0 mile, crosses the east side of the ridge, and starts down the Comanche Lake basin. From Comanche Pass, the trail heads down the north side of the basin, losing 1,040 feet of elevation. We camp right beside the lake, within tree-line. This day leaves plenty of time for an extended meditation and yin yoga practice. Please bring a book, journal, knitting, or something to do as you relax by the lakes in your down time.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3, Sunday August 4, 2013:
An easy and steady 5 mile downhill hike marks our last day in the Sangre De Cristo's. This hike can be done in under three hours, so we'll begin the morning with a sunrise Vinyasa yoga practice, followed by a hearty breakfast.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Example dinner may be wild-caught salmon with an organic raspberry chipotle sauce over sauteed kale and quinoa. All meals will be gluten-free, dairy-free and soy-free. Vegan and vegetarian upon request only! Kate will e-mail a detailed menu to be approved one week before retreat departure.
Kate will send you a complete and detailed additional recommended gear list upon registration.
Transportation is NOT included, however participants are encouraged to carpool amongst the group. Please do not count on being back in Denver for evening weekend plans; time and length of trip varies and Kate cannot guarantee a set return time.
Itinerary:
Day 1, Friday, August 2, 2013:
Meet at 6:15AM for orientation and planning. We'll need to distribute food evenly, pack backpacks, answer final questions.
6:45-7AM: Drive 3.5 hours to Comanche-Venable trailhead (TH). There is a bathroom at the trailhead.
10:30-11:30AM: Hike 5 miles on a steady incline through a beautiful ponderosa pine and aspen forest following along Venable Creek until we're just below Venable Lakes. It is a long, unbroken climb up the valley toward the Venable Lakes, while not particularly steep, it is unrelenting. After 1.8 miles we'll come to a spur trail that drops down a short distance to the shore of the creek where we'll check out Venable Falls. 1.3 miles beyond the falls, Venable Trail enters one of the most beautiful parts of the hike. Here the trail levels out at the mouth of Venable Basin, a wide glacier-sculpted alpine meadow backed by the 13,000 foot summit ridge that connects Venable and Comanche Peaks. COmplimenting the scene is an old miner's cabin that seems to have been built here just for the view. There we'll set up camp and connect with the Earth through meditation and yin yoga before dinner and relaxation. Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2, Saturday August 3, 2013:
Hike approximately 4 miles (relatively early) to the base of Venable Peak along the western slope of Spring Mountain to the Comanche trail via Phantom Terrace! The trail doesn't stay long at the bottom of the basin, and we immediately climb up the north side of the valley toward Venable Pass. Soon after leaving the cabin, the trail crosses timberline, and after 0.6 miles it arrives at the largest of the Venable Lakes. 0.4 miles after leaving Venable Lakes the trail comes to a junction marking the connection to Comanche Pass. The next 0.6 mile of trail gains another 340 feet before reaching 12,780 feet, the highest point on this hike, and crossing to the west side of the ridge. The last few hundred yards are along a very narrow constructed trail with significant exposure on the left side. The Phantom Terrace ledge is believed to be hauntingly named because it's difficult to see the trail on the slope until you get right up to it. This is the height of the incline, it is steep but doable however participants must be comfortable with heights. Winds can be strong and cold, so it is best to wear long sleeves, gloves and hat on this portion of the hike. Once crossing the Phantom Terrace ridge the trail heads south with very little change in elevation toward Comanche Pass. It reaches the pass after 1.0 mile, crosses the east side of the ridge, and starts down the Comanche Lake basin. From Comanche Pass, the trail heads down the north side of the basin, losing 1,040 feet of elevation. We camp right beside the lake, within tree-line. This day leaves plenty of time for an extended meditation and yin yoga practice. Please bring a book, journal, knitting, or something to do as you relax by the lakes in your down time.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3, Sunday August 4, 2013:
An easy and steady 5 mile downhill hike marks our last day in the Sangre De Cristo's. This hike can be done in under three hours, so we'll begin the morning with a sunrise Vinyasa yoga practice, followed by a hearty breakfast.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Example dinner may be wild-caught salmon with an organic raspberry chipotle sauce over sauteed kale and quinoa. All meals will be gluten-free, dairy-free and soy-free. Vegan and vegetarian upon request only! Kate will e-mail a detailed menu to be approved one week before retreat departure.
Kate will send you a complete and detailed additional recommended gear list upon registration.
Individuals must register two weeks ahead of scheduled event. Cost is $515.
Please apply by completing our Registration Form
and registering here!
Read more about the Sangre De Cristo's here.
Katherine M. Coleman : E-RYT & MNT // biophilia, LLC : yoga & holisitc nutrition therapy
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