Hiking – Missouri Lakes Loop: Fancy Lake, Fancy Pass, Missouri pass, Missouri Lakes

This trip requires advance permission from leader to join: See leaders notes.

Participants meet us at the Fancy Creek trailhead at 6:15 AM. Participants will need to self organize as to how they get to the trailhead: We will be camping nearby.

We will start promptly at 6:30 AM

A spectacular hike in the Holy Cross Wilderness.

2700 ft elevation gain to 12,318 ft Fancy Pass highpoint. 8.7 miles officially but plan on closer to 10 miles.

This is a long hike with steep climbs up to Fancy pass from Fancy lake. There can possibly be small snowfields - even in August - on the east sides of the passes. 

Elk and Moose are in the area: Know what to do in an encounter.

Some Class 2  scrambling is required at Fancy pass.

Dont be fooled: its harder than it looks on the GPX track

Explain in your leader permission request why you are a good fit for this trip based upon your experience. You must be in excellent fitness condition with no balance, mobility issues, or injuries that could precipitate a back country rescue. This is a wilderness area trip with no cellphone coverage and long wait times for a rescue:  Backcountry instructions apply "You are responsible for your own rescue"

link to gaia map:

https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=13.7/-106.5063/39.3986&layer=GaiaTopoRasterFeet&knownRouteId=2771

We will stop at Fancy Lake, the view at the top of Fancy Pass, Missouri Pass, and Missouri lakes.

This is a beautiful area.

Mandatory Equipment: Ten Essentials, microspikes in case of remnant  snowfields. at least one hiking pole with a snowpad for potential snowfield crossings. 

Extra water and food is recommended.