Flat Tops Wilderness / Trappers Lake

We enjoyed a few quiet days at Trappers Lake in the Flat Tops Wilderness. This area was visited by Arthur Carhart, a Forest Service official, in 1919 and he was inspired to preserve this area as wilderness. The Forest Service agreed and Trappers Lake became the first protected wilderness area in the US. In 2002, lightning in this area sparked the Big Fish Fire which destroyed over 17,000 acres, the Trappers Lake Lodge, a couple barns, the hottub lounge, and several old historic cabins. The new lodge is up and running, with Holly and Carol as our wonderful hostesses, the meals were delicious, and we stayed in a sweet old cabin.


Tom is still upset with how devastated the area looks since the fire but I found a particular beauty in all the incredible wildflowers and watching deer and their babies running through what was left standing when the trees burned.



Tom attempted to fish Trappers Lake but the darn fish ended up nibbling the toes of his waders and kept looking up at him as if to say, "Ha ha, you can't catch me!" (They were right!) As they were jumping out of the water all around him I thought perhaps they enjoyed the smorgasbord of insects as opposed to the individual fly lunch he was offering.


We hiked the Wall Lake Trail going about 6 miles up the trail, and at about 10,000 - 11,000 feet, the air is crisp and clean, but I started to get nervous when I saw some clouds forming. I'm petrified of lightning and know how dangerous it is in the Rockies so we headed back down. It's a beautiful hike, and I will get flak from dear daughters for not completing it, but maybe someday..........


The only unpleasant part of the trail were the piles of horse poop we had to step around and over. And I don't think I'm the only one who thinks horses are a problem as I saw this sign at the beginning of the trail:


It has been said that when God goes on vacation God goes to the Colorado wilderness. I'm sure you can see why.