Capitol Peak Strategy

[D_Price]

Planning to attempt Capitol Peak this summer. Any recommendations for appropriate time to leave to head to Capitol Lake to get set up for camping and does it make sense to take only the water you need to get to the camp site (say a couple of liters) and then refill from the lake before heading to the summit the next day and then post summit on the return?

[AlexeyD]

Planning to attempt Capitol Peak this summer. Any recommendations for appropriate time to leave to head to Capitol Lake to get set up for camping and does it make sense to take only the water you need to get to the camp site (say a couple of liters) and then refill from the lake before heading to the summit the next day and then post summit on the return?

For the first question: obviously everyone's pace is different, but, generally speaking it's a "half-day" type hike. Of course, the earlier you get there, the more campsite choices you're likely to have.

For the second question: yes, you can do this. Furthermore, there is water available for the second half of the hike to the lake (this portion of the trail mostly follows a stream). Once above the lake, however, there's no more reliable water other than from snowfields in the basin behind Daly.

[eyost11]

More than sufficient water source within 50 yards of campground. Campground will probably be full on weekends and rotate out in afternoon.
Nothing wrong with hiking in early and waiting on prime spot or finding open one.
Beautiful hike, gorgeous lake, magnificent mountain.

[oldschool]

Bring methods to filter/clean water....either filter it or use chemicals/pen to clean it up. Water from lake will be fine to use one of these methods.

[Shooter]

I would recommend starting the hike mid morning as it will allow more time to enjoy the lake. I started around 11:00ish and was able to hang at the lake for several hours on a beautiful afternoon after setting up camp. The views are stunning from the lake as well.

[dpage]

I like to eat lunch first and maybe 1 more snack before starting as I want to carry as little as possible. Another meal means slightly more fuel and weight in my backpack. Ounces add up.

[TallGrass]

If coming in the standard TH, bring enough tap water to reach the lake. Otherwise you risk having to source water downstream of the herd. You can source running water not far before the lake near where the trail hops across the stream. Water from lakes up high can taste very "mineral-ish" like licking a hunk of granite. Recommend packing in a WAG bag if camping at the lake as plenty of cat holes have already been dug, while others don't even bother digging. After the Daly saddle, there's scant dig-able ground. Haystack Pass is a nice, scenic alternate route, though you do have to cross Snowmass Creek (see my TR).

[spiderman]

I started about an hour before dusk the night before and hiked in ~2 hours with lightweight overnight packs. There is nice camping at 10,000' on either side of the stream crossing. The next morning we hike up close to the lake before filling up our water bottles. It took just over an hour from that camping are to reach Capitol Lake. Overall summit day was close to 12 hours since the hiking is slow once you get to the pass and no longer are on trail.

[tree_beard]

Slept like kings on a matress in the truck bed. Left about 4, 430... carried water, snacks, traverse poles and an extra layer... we were back at the car drinking beers before 3p.

This is partially because i love the rhythm and partially because carrying extra weight 2 or 3 miles in for 2 or 3 hours of restless sleep seems counter productive to sleeping well and traveling light.

Edit: incase not clear, left at 4a, summitted and returned before 3p.

Also passed by many a gooch scooter

[D_Price]

Thanks to all very helpful, looking forward to this trip!