We left Dimmitt Friday morning around 8:30 and by 1:30 were at the Angostura Trailhead outside of the Pecos Wilderness. It was beginning to cloud up a little and we had about 3.5 miles to go to get to the lake, so we decided to get started. The trail involved a gradual climb of 1300 feet up to Serpent Lake, which sits a little over 11,700 ft. Views were quite limited as nearly the entire route stays in thick subalpine forest.
A little over four hours into our walk we arrived in the Serpent Lake Basin. We had the place to ourselves and found a choice site with a view of the lake and magnificant headwall which backs it. We fixed pizza for dinner and lounged around the campfire before turning in. We were serenaded all night long with the bugles of a lovesick elk.
Saturday morning brought a temperature of 34 degrees and the sound of the wind ripping through the trees. We cooked pancakes for breakfast and walked around the lakes while we waited for the air to warm.
Once the winds settled down and the boys warmed up we loaded our day packs and set out to climb the ridge. The going was slow as we switchbacked up to reach the alpine tundra. Views began to open up to our east and the surrounding terrain was layed flat before us. Wyatt commented, "Dad, this is just like looking at the map. I can see everything". Once we hit the ridge we were again exposed to the winds which were blowing from the west. We were treated to fabulous views of the rugged Truchas Peaks.
Our route turned north as we began following the spine of the ridge towards Point 12,828, the peak which towers over Serpent Lake. Building clouds and tiring legs forced us to end our quest at a rocky promontory around 12,500 feet in elevation. We then turned around and began our descent, sometime around 12:30. 
Low rumblings of thunder began to echo across the mountains as ominous appearing clouds pushed their way in from the south. The sun warmed air began to cool and the wind began to pick up. We headed back down to the shelter of the lake basin.
The remainder of the afternoon was spent playing, catching salamanders and napping. The sky remained overcast the rest of the day and fog banks intermittently moved through our mountain hideaway.
We fixed bean burritos for dinner and built a fire to ward off the increasing chill. At dusk it began to rain lightly and we headed in to the tent.
The gentle rain became torrential during the night as the sky flashed with lightning and deep booms of thunder reverberated. Around 2:00 I opened up the rain fly and had a small collection of snow fall from the tent onto my hand. I looked outside to a brilliant starry night.Morning dawned to 35 degrees and some scattered low clouds. We had to make it back to teh trailhead by noon to make it home in time for church. To minimize morning discomfort and keep the boys happy and efficient we ate our pancake in the warmth of the tent. We then broke down camp, packed and headed out.
We made good time on our way back as the route was all down hill. We passed a bowhunter and his son as they packed out a beautiful 6X6 bull they had killed two lake basins to our south. We made it back to the truck by 11:45 to make the long drive back home.
We made good time on our way back as the route was all down hill. We passed a bowhunter and his son as they packed out a beautiful 6X6 bull they had killed two lake basins to our south. We made it back to the truck by 11:45 to make the long drive back home.
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