After some unseasonably chilly conditions last weekend, we’re ready for a return to sunshine that’s gonna last all weekend long! Temps should top out in the 60s and 70s under bright blues skies. Early Friday afternoon, I took a quick jaunt up to Lakes Clara and Marion to check out the trail conditions.
This peaceful route visits 2 lakes and traverses a beautiful mixture of coniferous forest and patchy meadows that are perfect for summer wildflowers. At just under 4 miles in length and 1000 feet in elevation gain, it’s a great, accessible way to get out for a couple hours.
Beneath the impressive ramparts and talus slopes that comprise the east face of Mission Peak lies a diverse, intimate ecological landscape that continues to change as the summer progresses.
The purple penstemons that dominated this trail on my last visit are beginning to fade, rapidly replaced by a vibrant new array of flowers. In the sheltered lower forest, Columbia lilies are showing off their uniquely freckled petals amidst the dense undergrowth.
Higher up, the lupine and paintbrush blooms continue their upslope ascent, now all the way up to the higher, more exposed terrain surrounding Lake Marion.
The trail remains in good condition, and for those looking to venture further afield, the same can be said for the routes to the top of Chair 2, Microwave, or Mission Peak. Though a couple of snow patches remain in isolated, high elevation spots to accentuate the drama of the mountain scene, they don’t impede any of the trails, and even the meltwater creeks that once flowed down the Summer Road are nearly dry. It’s an awesome time of year to enjoy the hiking and biking opportunities near The Ridge, with easy summer travel coinciding with mild temps.
We’re ready to make the most of the last weekend in June and would love to see you up here!
Base Area Forecast
Friday 6/27: Sunny, with a high near 62. West wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
Saturday 6/28: Sunny, with a high near 67. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Sunday 6/29: Sunny, with a high near 75. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the morning.
Chair 5 Pub Schedule
We are open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this weekend, but we will be closed next Friday for July 4th.Â
Summer hours are Fridays from 4pm–9pm, Saturdays from 11am–9pm, and Sundays from 9am–2pm. We’re looking forward to hosting a free Wine Tasting with Francis Coppola Winery on Friday night from 5-7. On Sunday, we’ll be hosting the finale of the Dirt Abides MTB series, which should bring some lively energy.
No chairlifts will run during the off-season.
Off-Season Access PolicyÂ
During the off-season, public access within the Mission Ridge Special Use Permit area is permitted except where restricted due to maintenance and construction. We love seeing the Mission Ridge community in the mountains and on the trails year-round, but please make sure to check out the full access policy by clicking the link below.
