Some photos from a trip almost a month ago. It's the Lost Lake/Hessie Trail near Eldora, CO. I found it on the REI web site under the Guide Post section, and decided to give it a shot.

The start of the trail was pretty hard packed, we didn't need to use the snow shoe.




Snow was pretty deep, Polar was having a blast.



We met five other dogs and their owners on the trail, they were all very friendly.




Trying to catch snow flakes?












A happy puppy!




























Polar wanted to drink some water.








Don't eat yellow snow!




Taking a break on the trail.




























































Squirrel? Where?




























That's all, folks!

Great pictures!
I do like this trail as it's close to Denver. There are a few other trails right from this area also that are longer and more difficult, like 4th of July and Hessie. During the winter, you have to park out in the street, in the neighborhood, but when the snow melts, you can drive the dirt road (the hard pack part) to the trail head. So in your first picture, that's the dirt road, which is about 2 miles, to the trail head.

Very cool pictures... Looks like everyone was enjoying the snow.

Polar is built like a frickin bear. Great photos

Beautiful pictures, beautiful pup! Polar looks sooo happy

Great pictures.. Polar is a great looking pup and he was really enjoying himself.

Love the squirrel pix.
Looks you all had fun.

It's been snowing here so much this month that I haven't been out with Bodhi on skis.
Extreme avalanche danger in the backcountry and no visibility.
A couple times I quit downhill skiing because I couldn't see.
This month with sunny days and consolidated snow, I hope we can get in some more skijoring.

Wow gorgeous pics to match a gorgeous pup!

cmanding wrote:

Great pictures!
I do like this trail as it's close to Denver. There are a few other trails right from this area also that are longer and more difficult, like 4th of July and Hessie. During the winter, you have to park out in the street, in the neighborhood, but when the snow melts, you can drive the dirt road (the hard pack part) to the trail head. So in your first picture, that's the dirt road, which is about 2 miles, to the trail head.

Yeah, I found a number of trails in the area online. It will take a little while to check them all out!

jalepeno wrote:

Love the squirrel pix.
Looks you all had fun.

It's been snowing here so much this month that I haven't been out with Bodhi on skis.
Extreme avalanche danger in the backcountry and no visibility.
A couple times I quit downhill skiing because I couldn't see.
This month with sunny days and consolidated snow, I hope we can get in some more skijoring.

I'm surprised that you guys are still getting snow. It's almost been too hot in Denver!

Polar looks so happy!

but im trying to figure out why you went to REI to find this trail.... i think we have 2 trip reports on here on that trail ..... i do love that for a day hike and Claudia is right there are some great hikes off of 4th of july, hell i think we still need i think its south Arapahoe peak/class 3 off that trail.

Gorgeous pictures!

jbealer wrote:

Polar looks so happy!

but im trying to figure out why you went to REI to find this trail.... i think we have 2 trip reports on here on that trail ..... i do love that for a day hike and Claudia is right there are some great hikes off of 4th of july, hell i think we still need i think its south Arapahoe peak/class 3 off that trail.

Oh I saw a lot of trip reports on here and they were great, but since I'm new to Colorado, I see a trip report for a trail, and I have no idea where it is and how far away it is. The REI Guidepost is neat (http://www.rei.com/guidepost) because you can select the activity you're looking for, and it shows you a map with little icons so instantly I get an idea of where it is and roughly how far I have to drive. Sometimes it helps to see everything on a map.

Well glad u did see our reports, maybe we should start posting drive times... I do like the rei map but find that I have to go outside the rei site to get better info, I hope they do more work wih the site. Any plans on the next area u want to check out?