Quartz Lake Loop

We went back over the wash-board roads to Bowman Lake for the Quartz Lakes Loop, a trail renowned for its wonderful scenery and close-up views of a forest still regenerating after the 1988 Red Bench Fire. The trail climbs Cerulean Ridge, at the top of which we had fantastic views of a triumvirate of beautiful lakes - Quartz Lake, tiny Middle Quartz Lake and Lower Quartz Lake.

Crossing Bowman Creek, outlet for Bowman Lake and the trailhead for the Quartz Lake Loop. 

From the top of Cerulean Ridge we could see the chain of lakes  - this is Lower Quartz Lake and...

this is tiny Middle Quartz Lake.

Our lunch spot at Quartz Lake and...

a close-up of Vulture Peak at the head of the lake. Quartz Lake is the biggest of the three.

Crossing Quartz Creek that joins Quartz Lake with Middle Quartz Lake.

Middle Quartz Lake, the smallest lake.

Along the trail that parallels Lower Quartz Lake we were in mostly in the trees and passed through meadows with beautiful fall color.

This wooly caterpillar was heading somewhere fast along the trail.

Crossing Quartz Creek, again, as it exits Lower Quartz Lake.

Lower Quartz Lake. From this point the trail climbs through...

the burn to crest Quartz Ridge where the trail reenters the forest for a rather step descent back to...

magnificent Bowman Lake.

Trail statistics:

Distance: 12.8 miles

Elevation gain: 2,470 feet, 329 floors on the Fitbit

Duration: 5 hrs., 20 min. (plus 3 hours drive time)