Lily Lake

I set out early on this crisp morning to preview an upcoming hike. Skies and turning back to the reliable Colorado brilliant blue, and Lily Lake reflected it all. Ripples glistened in the early morning sun.

I usually see Lily Mountain from Hwy 7 as I drive by each morning. I always forget how beautiful the rocks are, when seen from across the lake. As stunning as those on Lumpy Ridge, a bubbling outcropping of granite.

Looking south across the lake, the Tahosa Valley opens up. Mt Meeker and Longs Peak are still wrapped in snow in the distance. Estes Cone rises in the foreground.

Steamboat

We took a break from hiking at Rocky Mountain National Park for a quick weekend in Steamboat Springs, where we took a little side trip up to Fish Creek Falls. Once before I've seen the falls, but that was in October. To see the falls in early June was incredible - massive amounts of white water pulsing on all sides.

Several brave Heart and Sole Harriers ventured up into the high country to run the races - marathon, half marathon, and 10k. The marathon and half marathon followed the Elk River into town. At times we had the raging river on our side, and then we would climb to view open pastures, lush and green, dotted with dandelions, and snow capped mountains on the edge of town. Plenty of wonderful scenery to view while counting off the miles.

Runoff

Can it turn into summer within a day? The snowmelt is loading up all the rivers, including the Big Thompson. The Pool is a boiling mass of brown stained water.

Muneca perching on the shoulder of our hikers - Austin, Manny and Jeff. A great hike - first flowers of the season, pumping waterfalls, giant sized boulders, hungry chipmunks, attack ground squirrels, elk in the shadows.

Longs Peak in spring

The perfect commute - high country fields are beginning to turn green, high mountains still covered with snow, aspens just starting to leaf out. Longs Peak on an early June morning.

Slippery trails and high water

It's June 1st - time for the spring runoff to begin in earnest. Alberta Falls has shed its icy mantle and it running free, pushing the snowpack to the sides. The ground is saturated, the water is moving downhill wherever it can, the silence of winter is quickly being replaced by splashes in every direction.

 
Saby (from Peru) and Lyn (from China) with Muneca at Glacier Creek.

Stephanie and Nathanial enjoying a slide down the snow covered trail.

Thunder Mountain fun?

On the trail again! Hikemaster Training is in full swing, and today we covered navigation. Map and compass, GPS, and a bushwhack up Thunder Mountain to hone our skills. Slow and crumbly on the front side, tons of snow for sliding on the backside (and our backsides). The grim weather that we have been having for May finally broke. Perhaps summer is actually going to arrive this year. Even Muneca was happy to be out of her backpack and into the sunshine.

Black Lake

On the trail again! One of those days in May when the snow is deep but the air is warm, and the sky is brilliantly blue. A very quick hike up to Mills via the winter trail, and we popped into the Glacier Gorge view before we even thought we could be there. Might as well keep going - straight across the frozen lakes.

Up the last steep slopes and we finally saw the Black Lake hollow in the distance. Amazing views of Arrowhead, McHenry's, Spearhead and Chiefshead, the same mountains but even more majestic than in the summer.

Caribou Ranch

Could there be a better day for a snowshoe? A foot of fresh powder, no wind, no other people, trees laden with snow, and a little more falling the entire time. That is what winter is for.

Winter secret

Could this be winter? What a perfect afternoon for a hike up Bear Creek and around NCAR. A little leftover snow in the shadows, but warm enough that you could smell the earth and the trees.

Cold

New Years Eve - not a night to be out. The temperature fell to the south side of zero, the wind was howling, and the power went out for two hours. But the good times are not always found in the great outdoors, but, instead, huddled near the fireplace with candles glowing in random spots.

Snow frosting

A fresh dusting of snow clung to the Flatirons this morning. Tilted toward the rising sun, these slabs of granite shed their frosting quickly, making a morning like this more special. The rays from the rising sun lit up the cloud bank that was perched in the divide, turning it into a large pink pincushion. Tough to leave the comfort of my quilts, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Muneca isn't getting out with me on these outings, although I could tuck her in my pocket. I think she is enjoying all the other similarly sized creatures that have sprouted on my shelves. Papa Noel may have to fight Bob the Rock for her affection.

Winter silhouettes

Hiking on the plains in the winter is as beautiful as the high mountains, but in such a different way. Many of the trails follow creeks and irrigation ditches, allowing me to observe kingfishers, mallards, canada geese, and whatever else might be stopping near the water. If I'm real lucky, a great horned owl will be hidden somewhere in the crown of a magnificent cottonwood.

The seed heads of last summer's abundance hold their heads high, high enough for the birds to find, even when there is a foot or two of snow on the ground.

Hercules

With only a few hours available to christen my new snowshoes, we headed up the Finch Lake trail to visit Hercules. Unfortunately, there really wasn't enough snow to warrant the snowshoes, but I did have them on for about half a mile and loved them. Hercules lives in fairly secluded meadow, just below a ridge, so she is protected from the vicious winds. Over 600 years old, Hercules spreads her arms into a graceful canopy, unusual growth for a douglas fir. I have many special trees that I visit on my favorite trails. I think I have a new friend.

Winter trails

Muneca took a quick trip up to The Pool to enjoy the snow. It's winter all around now, although there was still a tiny bit of water flowing down the Big Thompson.

Retreating into winter

Alas, no photo today - the camera is with Kelly in California. November and a chance to walk to Sandbeach Lake without snowshoes. Some snow has fallen over the last few weeks, but the only remains are above Hunter's Creek. It felt like summer at the bottom, autumn in the middle, and the beginning of winter at the top. Sandbeach Lake was a combination of all three. The sand was warm as I laid back on my pack, enjoying the sunshine. The view to Copeland and mountains south was snow covered and wintry. The lake itself was covered in thin ice, with a small margin of water lapping at the edges, sounding as if it was trying to free itself from the icy grip.