Trip ideas around Emigrant with kids, 3-4 nights

[balzaccom]

I would agree that this region gets busy on the holidays. I remember going in one year on the last day of the 4th of July weekend, and we saw more than a hundred people on the trail. However, we saw fewer than a dozen for the rest of our five day trip...and all of them were within five miles of the trailhead.

[adam]

Again, thanks for the input. We'll be starting on a monday, so I hope it won't be insanely crowded, but I don't have any illusions of solitude either.

TehipiteTom, what is the route to Leopold? I think that would make an excellent day hike.

thanks again,
adam

[looks easy from here]

The last quarter mile to Box Springs is about the limit of my CRV. I wouldn't want to take anything with less clearance and a longer wheelbase out there. It's also a very short hike to the lakes (maybe 2 hours with kids that age?; I took a 3 yo backpacking there and it was perfect for him), and then you're on sort of an "island", seperated from the rest of Emigrant by swamps, canyons and impassable rivers.

[balzaccom]

Leopold is fairly easy cross country. You follow the trail to Toejam...and then just stay on top of the ridge heading SSW...

Not sure xc is a great idea with little kids, but you know yours

[TehipiteTom]

TehipiteTom, what is the route to Leopold? I think that would make an excellent day hike.

thanks again,
adam

It's been 8 years so I don't remember it all that clearly, but I recall it being fairly straightforward cross-country. I think I went down the drainage southeast of the lake to Tom's Canyon; my recollection is that it was fairly easy, a series of short drops with little flats in between. From there you angle up the slabs ESE, avoiding the steep stuff. Here's a pic from fairly near the top, which gives a pretty good idea of the terrain:


Here's Leopold Lake:


From a low rise east of Leopold you get great views into the West Fork Cherry Creek country:

[adam]

Thanks so much- I'm excited to go, too bad I still have a couple months to wait!