Tanglewood Trail August 22

We decided to do this hike after how crowded the last one was. We have gone here before and knew it was hardly traveled. We start at the Deer Creek Trailhead. It was flooded out last time and we had to wade across the road to the trailhead.  This starts up with many trees along the way.  Follow the signs for rosalie and Tanglewood trails. 

There are many rocks and boulders on the trail. Poles come in handy.

The trail split comes at about 1.1 miles Rosalie Trail turns off here to Guanella Pass here but you want to keep right.  The trail now begins to get steeper, rockier and thinner. 

You basically follow a creek along the trail. There are three bridge crossings: bridge, some rocks, and another bridge.

About 2.6 miles from the trailhead the trail crosses Tanglewood creek a final time and turns away from the stream and the switchbacks begin. They are not terribly steep. 

Here is an occasional meadow.

Finally the woods open up to see some views.

Heading to the saddle at about 3.5 miles we come to the tundra area. The trail will gain 600 feet in the next .7 miles. Take lots of breaks to enjoy the views.

There are bristlecone pines just before you get to the top. You can make it! These trees are 2000 years old.

After the pines a bunch of scree leads up to the amazing views.

This was a great place to have our lunch. You can see mount Evans from here and the road going up.

Views from all directions at the saddle. If you want to go further you will reach Roosevelt Lakes. But is is down and then you have to go back up.  Some people were camping and fishing down there. They planned to come back the next day.

Heading back down. This hike is 7 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 2650.

Tanglewood Trail near Bailey

This trail starts in a large parking lot normally but when we tried the road was washed out and closed to get to the trailhead. Our first adventure was to take off our shoes and wade across the 2 ft of water to get to the road. This added another 2 miles to the hike. (one mile each way to get to the trailhead) This was after the flooding in Colorado-mainly Boulder area. I guess they got their share of rain as well in Bailey. 

Directions are to start heading south on 285 to Bailey, then  head right on county road 43A for 6 miles till you get to CR 43, veer to the left. It will become a dirt road, pass a campground and will eventually dead end at the trailhead/parking lot.

This trailhead serves the Rosalie Trail as well. There are two signs marking the trail.

Here you can see the water running through the trail. This hike really tested the waterproofness of our boots.

There are about three crossings that were washed away . We used logs and got creative at each stream.

Enjoy the sounds of the water crashing over the rocks.

The hike begins on an old dirt road.

The aspens were just beginning to change.

Another crossing. It seems the bridge had floated down a bit.

About 1.1 miles into the hike the two trails separate. Keep straight for the Tanglewood Trail.

The trail begins to get steeper and rockier and thinner as it goes into the forest.

The trees change to evergreen as you climb higher.

The trail will become wet, and boggy since it sticks close to the creek.

We did not make it to the saddle because we added the 2 miles onto our distance. We ended up with  9.55 miles and 2,040 elevation gain. Next year we will make it to the saddle and start at the trailhead.

Heading back.

This was a creative crossing. The bridge was washed down the river. We backtracked until we found some logs to get across.

If you continue onto the saddle, you will reach 11,742' via steep switchbacks. And further still to Roosevelt Lakes. We passed many backpackers who make it to the lakes and spend the night, hike back the next day.