Columbine Pass Trail from Vallecito Creek Trail to Columbine Pass is
about 6.5 miles with an ascent of nearly 4000 feet and an average grade
of 11%. The quite narrow Johnson Creek drainage is surrounded by 6 13ers
and one feels them towering above for much of the switchbacked climb.
To the right of center is Len hiking the final portion up to Columbine
Lake which is just below the pass. You can see the trail switch back to
the right just beyond Len.
We saw several colonies of marmots while on this trail. This one visited
us at our campsite halfway up this trail and curiously observed us for a
long time. Usually they give out a high-pitched screech to warn of an "enemy's"
presence, but this one just watched us, finally scampering from rock to
rock as Len tried to capture it with his camera.
Columbine Lake (elevation 12,320 feet) is above treeline but still used
by some as a campsite.