CO backcountry fish & hang

**Heydad!** · 07-26-2018, 14:20

Had an opportunity to get a quick fish and hang at a lake near Mt Harvard, CO with my daughter and her husband last week. We planned it as just an overnight, but could have easliy stayed a few days since the fishing was F, I, N, E, fine.

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The lake sat in a bowl at about 11,200' in elevation surrounded by some of Colorado's finest 14ers. The weather was pretty good for monsoon season, we had a few thundershowers move through, but mostly it was in the low 60's (F) during the day and only in the upper 40's at night.

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I had to share some of my gear and ended up using my WB XLC with a 0* Wookie UQ and 0* mamba TQ. Definitely overkill for this weather, but I would just slide the TQ off to the side and when it got chilly in the wee hours drape it over most of me. I didn't feel the need to vent the UQ, but could have and felt that would have worked if it was another 10-20* warmer. I was really amazed at the flexibility of the 0* kit since I've had it down to -11* (F) comfortably, and now have had success when near 50*. The HG STD CF tarp is really ideal for quickly changing alpine weather. We had sun, winds up to 40mph, rain and small hail and it just provides so much coverage for so little weight with absolutely no fuss.

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The fishing, for such a small lake, was amazing. There are some fat trout in that little lake, and they do go for my less than professionally presented flies. I'd love to know how they taste, but with the burn ban in effect that will have to wait for another day. Instead, we feasted on PackIt Gourmet meals complete with their desserts! I have to admit with all these burn bans preventing even alcohol stoves I've grown attached to my MSR Windburner. It boils water faster than I can prep the meal!

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We really enjoyed the sunrise, and all too soon it was time to hike back down. Although a short trip, it was an awesome time with my daughter and her husband. And the best part.....he may have showed up with a little tent, but he's now a firm believer in hammocks!

I'm shopping to find him a nice used XLC.

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**bigdisgrace** · 07-26-2018, 14:57

Thanks for that great report. Tuff to improve on that trip for sure.

**LuvmyBonnet** · 07-26-2018, 15:19

Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures. I love that happy I caught a trout face. I hope to have it up in Algonquin next week. Trout is my favorite.

**Heydad!** · 07-26-2018, 16:52

Originally Posted by bigdisgrace

Thanks for that great report. Tuff to improve on that trip for sure.

There's no sound sweeter than the wind in a tall pine

**Heydad!** · 07-26-2018, 16:52

Originally Posted by LuvmyBonnet

Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures. I love that happy I caught a trout face. I hope to have it up in Algonquin next week. Trout is my favorite.

It was a genuine happy face

**OutandBack** · 07-26-2018, 18:06

Great pictures Heydad! Colorado backcountry and hammocks go so well together. Excellent report thanks for posting it.

**ofuros** · 07-26-2018, 18:53

Looks & sounds like a great trip, Heydad!...fooling trout in the wild always sets my heart aflutter.

**Caminante** · 07-27-2018, 07:00

Gorgeous pictures! Glad the fishing was good for you. Thanks for sharing.

**BillyBob58** · 07-28-2018, 20:26

Great report! I love that CO high country, once I have time to get used to the altitude. Did I understand that you were not allowed to use an alcohol stove, but you could use a canister stove? Apparently they are deemed safer? Anyway, love that high country trout fishing!

**Big Flounder** · 07-30-2018, 04:43

Those are some awesome pics! I would have a hard time leaving a spot like that. What a beautiful spot.

And yes, the versatility of the 0 degree quilts from Warbonnet are amazing aren't they! When I first got my 0 degree Wooki and night temps got up in the high 40's, I was surprised at how comfortable I was by just using a lighter top quilt or venting the top quilt.