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Backpack – 2-Day: Macey Lakes from Horn Creek TH

Trip

Backpack – 2-Day: Macey Lakes from Horn Creek TH

Hikers on this BPX trip will find great camping, waterfalls, and a collection of lakes in the Macey Lakes Basin in the San Isabel National Forest area of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. This area hosts some of the state’s famed 14ers, including Humboldt, Crestone, and Kit Carson Peaks. We will not be summit-ting. The trip begins and ends at the Trailhead. I prefer to saunter. The pace will be 1.5 - 2 mph. * Day 1: Starting at the Horn Creek Trailhead, hike .6 mile to junction with Rainbow Trail. Go left/south on Rainbow Trail for 3.2 miles to the junction with Macey Trail. Make a right on Macey Trail and ascend for 2.9 miles to Lower Macey Lake and make camp in this area (6.1 miles; 2,541 feet). * Day 2: Explore the upper Macey Lakes, followed by breaking camp and hiking out (7.8 miles, 550 ft gain, 2,997 feet loss). Dogs are welcome. Be prepared to hike with them on leash, and have them on leash at the campsite. See additional guidelines below. * Leaders permission required. Whereas all are welcome, this trip is rated challenging. It may not be a good choice for a beginner. If the trip fills, first preference will go to El Pueblo and Pikes Peak groups.

Contacts

Marsha Littau
Marsha Littau
Primary Leader
  • Sat, Aug 10, 2024 — Sun, Aug 11, 2024
  • Backpacking Section
  • Backpacking
  • Adults, Families
  • Difficult
  • Difficult
  • Mileage: 14.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 2,987 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 12,000 ft
  • Pace: 1.5

Meeting place and time

There will be two meetup points

     (1) 7AM at the Pueblo City Park Pool, 221 S Parkside Ln, Pueblo, CO  

      (2) at the Horn Creek Trail head (38.0486487, -105.5357623) at 8:30 am

There is rough camping at the trail head, including an outhouse.    Those traveling longer distances may want to camp at the trail head, or in the area, Friday evening instead of making the drive Saturday morning. 

Leader's notes

Hike leaders permission required.   If you have not hiked with me before please contact me.  My email is m_littau@yahoo.com  This is a challenging trip.  It is not be a good fit for the inexperienced backpacker.  That said, I plan to hold a casual pace, take in the views, look at the flowers, and snap a few photos. 

If the hike fills, preference will go to El Pueblo and Pikes Peak chapter members.

Please let the leader know if you decide to cancel.

Route/Place

2-Day: Macey Lakes from Horn Creek TH

Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

Required Equipment

Please bring the ten essentials in addition to a backpack, tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, water purification, food, cooking system, layers for sleeping and weather, bear bag or canister, and a trowel.  Afternoon rain showers are common. 

Know how to use your equipment.  Please plan for keeping your gear dry (line your pack with a Nylofume, or, a trash compactor bag).  Practice setting up your tent in advance of the trip.  Video's are available online demonstrating setting up tents in bad weather.  Practice.  Wet gear ruins a trip. 

Friendly Dogs are welcome on this trip.  We cross several small streams.  Please bring food, first aid, a leash, and consider booties.  The trail can be hot and hard on dogs feet.  Plan on burying, or carrying out, their poo the same as your own.

Reminder:  campfires are not allowed on BPX trips.

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