Is this place morning or afternoon?

http://www.mountainlake.com/mlp/perm/Island2.htm

Hi

- Could anyone tell me if this place is a morning or afternoon location?
- Is it too early to hike up there now? or should I wait until June? ( I also plan to go the Lone Eagle Peak area )

BTW, I just went to Hanging Lake on Monday, and the condition was awesome. I have been up there many times, but my recent visit on Monday was the best !

thank you in advance...

BP

Hello - That place is on the west side, so more of a sunset spot. I was up at that lake, or a nearby one, a long time ago before I got into photography, and witnessed a sunset reflection - it was so stunningly picturesque that I borrowed my friends crappy camera and tried to take photos... of course they didn't come out...

There's probably still a lot of snow up there... late in June would be better if you don't like snow. Are you going to go here and Lone Eagle in one trip? That would be a great journey!

Thanks Jack..

Yes, I would like to do both of them in one trip. ( I plan to camp around the lake at Lone Eagle area. So, I can have both sunset and sunrise for Lone Eagle Peak )

If Gourd Lake is a sunset, do you know if I can camp up there? It's a 9 miles hike to go either back to the trailhead at Monarch Lake or going to the camping spots around Lone Eagle Peak area. I am not sure how would I do that after sunset... ???

BP

hi BP -

Yes either trip would be a backpacking overnight trip. Do you have a map of the region? If not, be sure to get one and take a look. If you want to go to both places, that would be a major hike and two nights minimum (one night at each place). A lot of strenuous hiking, to be sure. And yes you can camp just about anywhere you find a flat spot!

It has been a long time since I was there, but it seems there was a good sized hill to the west of Gourd, and it was fairly open to the east. Early July would probably be about right to hit it. At least, that is when I go to Crater Lake which is similar. As I recall, you don't have to take out your bag of marbles and roll them down the trail to figure out which way is up on the last mile or two.

Thank very so much, Jack and George.

I have the detail map already...., maybe plan to go up their in late June - early July.

Bunpot

Keep in mind that Indian Peaks Wilderness is the only wilderness area in Colorado that requires you to get an overnight permit. And with all the snow that's been in the northern mountains this year, mid-July is probably the earliest I'd go.