Moraine Park

The roads were incredibly icy in the park. We opted to hike from the YMCA into Moraine Park in search of elk instead. A large herd was lounging out in the sun, but they were skittish as we approached, probably because our snowshoes were making so much noise.

The Mummy Range was snow covered in the distance. Ypsilon and Fairchild appeared to be standing guard over the park.

At the far end of Moraine Park, we found some sunny rocks that protected us from the icy breeze. Muneca found her way out of the pack and into the fresh air. She's dressed for the winter.

Bierstadt Lake from Hollowell

There was snow on the mountains at the beginning of the hiking season, and we appear to have come full circle. But tall brown grasses dress the scene for fall. Permanent snowfields are waiting to be recharged. Light dances off the clear water, daring the ice to reappear.

The sun is still warm, but the wind blows off the high mountains, full of an icy edge. Sue, Shirley, and I braved the breeze to enjoy the incredible view from the shore of Bierstadt.

Returning through Mill Creek Basin, the aspens have all shed their leaves. A herd of elk had found a quiet meadow, away from the throngs near Moraine Park. Bugling echoed in the surrounding forest, but we only glimpsed a few heading into the solitude of the surrounding forest.

Williams Weekend

Too short, but a truly wonderful three days with college friends. The aspen provided a backdrop worthy of this reunion. In 25 years I have never seen the aspen so full and glowing.

After the equinox, the light noticeably changes. It bounces off the water at a different angle than in mid-summer. I wonder if that is why the aspen seem to emit their own light?

Near Glacier Gorge trailhead, the aspens provided the perfect canopy. Just a few days earlier I had been hiking behind a family, and when we hit this spot, the young girl said to her father "This is my favorite part of the trail".

Mills Lake was completely still when we arrived. Snow was still dusted on the high peaks from several days before, but it was incredibly warm at the lake. Perfect for sprawling on the rocks and peering into the crystal clear water.

Everyone made it to Mills Lake - including Muneca.

Mill Creek Basin

Despite the colder weather in the last week, the aspen leaves are just beginning to change. Pockets of color are scattered across the hillsides. The lower aspens along Mill Creek have an internal glow that lights up the trail.

Our group stopped for a snack at the top of the trail before the bridge. Even the ground cover is alive with the fall colors.

I never know what Muneca is going to get up to when she gets out of my backpack. Today she found a new friend slithering in the grass.

Shipler Mountain

The west side of the park is an elusive place. The added drive over Trail Ridge Road isolates the trails, but this makes every hike on the west a special outing. Today we headed up to Specimen Crater and then continued on to Shipler Mountain. No bighorn sheep graced the side of the crater, but the beautiful fall colors on the tundra made up for it.

Shipler Mountain stands out south west of Specimen Mountain, giving an amazing view back towards the crater.

Our group at the top of Shipler, in a rare moment of calm winds.

And even here, flowers are attemping their last flourish. This star flowered pyrola was nestled down on the forest floor, protected from the winds.

Mills Lake

Fall is slowly arriving. The air has been crisp, forcing me to pull out all the winter hiking gear. The snow on the mountains is certainly a sign that the season is changing. But the aspens are holding on to their green as long as they can. Yet just in the space of 24 hours, trees are beginning to glow.

Mills Lake will always remain my favorite. So many visits there with so many people, it is filled with beautiful mountain views, dazzling water, and wonderful memories.

The snow was so late in melting this year, it feels as if we have only just started reaching the high country. But yesterday's snow may have been more than a temporary dusting.

Black, Blue, Green and Little Italy Lakes

It's been years since I have been up to the lakes above Black Lake. We decided to rediscover what was up in the vast upper reaches of Glacier Gorge. 5 miles up and Black Lake sits in a perfect bowl scoured out by the Glaciers, with McHenry's towering over the scene.

Climbing up to the broad shelf above Black Lake brought us to the snow line, and the freezing wind was ensuring that nothing was melting. Columbines are still blooming, but the snow is starting to fall. Green Lake shimmered with the white dusting all around.

Over to Blue Lake, high on a bench, and with enough depth to provide an amazing view of the entire upper gorge. Keyboard of the Winds, Pagoda, and Chiefshead were silhouetted against the sky, while Spearhead stood out against the white background.

Wild Basin Amble

Sometimes it's wonderful to go out for an amble. No destination in mind. It's a chance to open your eyes and see what is around you, what has always been there around you. I thought it was a little late in the season to find a raspberry, but no timetable has applied this year. I did leave a few behind for the bears.

Cow Parsnip is going to seed, and I have never noticed how beautiful it could be. The seeds look like coins, all ready to skim across the fall grasses.

All the moisture we have had this summer has caused all the fruits and berries to become full. Even the ponderosa pines are sporting enormous cones.

Fragrance spills from a crushed juniper berry, bringing back memories of a cool gin and tonic on a hot summer's day.

A few flowers are still blooming, holding their own against the prospect of a frost. Appearing incredibly dainty, harebells manage to defy the calendar.

Old Man's Beard clings to certain tree branches, eventually overcoming its host with the weight of the growth.

Deserted Village

While the aspens are taking their time to become golden, the groundcover has started to change more rapidly. Gold and red leaves and bright red berries are decorating the sides of many trails.

Along the banks of the North Fork of the Big Thompson, we hiked out to Deserted Village. Fall was in the air as the temperature stayed in the 40's.

Muneca enjoyed getting out with the Women's Wednesday hike.

Tourmaline Tarn

Sarah and I went exploring to Tourmaline Tarn today. Only half a mile from Lake Odessa, but rarely visited, it is a beautiful lake set in the cirque below Knobtop and Gabletop. We followed a faint trail up Tourmaline Creek, through a lush forest, small meadows, and little cascades.

Route finding was more difficult as we approached the tarn, but we arrived in time to see the sun turning the tarn a brilliant shade of green before the clouds closed in.

We finally stopped for lunch back at Lake Odessa where the sun came out to warm us up.

Imogene Pass

Sometimes you just have to do something that makes you feel so alive, nothing else matters. I ran the Imogene Pass run this weekend. 17 miles from Ouray to Telluride over a 13,000 foot pass. Beautiful views to take your mind off the strain. Hot soup at the top to get you ready for the descent. Part death march, part pilgrimage, and all adventure.

Lake of Glass and Sky Pond

Once again, it's almost the end of the summer before I have the opportunity to hike to Sky Pond. The snow was so late in melting that it was hard to get there for most of the season. Timberline Falls may have been snow free, but plenty of water is flowing down, including the rocks you have to climb. Considering it had been raining the entire day, it was difficult to get more wet.

A rare cloudy day in Colorado somehow makes all the colors more vibrant. The water in the lakes becomes green. The granite shows its speckles and stripes. And for once, the wind was not howling as we reached the top of the falls.

I have to keep checking the date - It is September, isn't it? Columbine are still blooming in the areas where the snow has just melted.