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

Trip

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

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. * Leaders permission required. Whereas all are welcome, this trip is rated challenging. It may not be a good choice for a beginner. * We 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 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 and break camp and hike 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. If the trip fills, first preference will go to El Pueblo and Pikes Peak groups.

Contacts

Marsha Littau
Marsha Littau
Primary Leader
  • Sat, Jul 15, 2023 — Sun, Jul 16, 2023
  • Backpacking Section
  • Backpacking
  • Adults
  • Difficult
  • Challenging
  • Mileage: 16.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 3,300 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 12,944 ft
  • Pace: 2 mph

Hike leaders permission required.   This is a challenging trip.  It may not be a good fit for the inexperienced backpacker.

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.

There will be two meetup points (1) in Pueblo City Park Pool at 7:00am (2) at the Horn Creek Trail head (38.0486487, -105.5357623) at 8:30 am

Update:  6/17/23 -  I checked out the trail head, and hiked a nearby trail.  There is rough camping at the trail head, including an outhouse.    Those traveling longer distances may want to camp at the trail head Friday evening instead of making the drive Saturday morning.  

Route/Place

BPX 2-Day: Macey Lakes from Horn Creek TH

Roster
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.  Afternoon rain showers are common.  Bring rain gear.  Know how to use your equipment.  Please plan for keeping your gear dry (line your pack with 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. 

Reminder:  campfires are not allowed on BPX trips.

Trip Reports