Twin Lakes - solitude and views

We set out up the Thunder Lake trail in search of two lakes that are off the beaten path. Twin Lakes were worth the vertical scramble, as we were rewarded with a view of the snowcapped continental divide above Wild Basin. We were also rewarded with the sight of a mother and baby otter frolicking along the shoreline unconcerned with our presence at the lake.

The Pool in spring

Another beautiful hike to The Pool. Flowers dot the side of the trail in a wide variety of colors. The Big Thompson alternates between roaring and gurgling on the other side. The Pool is pulsing with the runoff.

Stone Crop and Penstamen on the Fern Lake trail.

Finch Lake exploration

How deep was the snow going to be at Finch Lake? What would the bushwhacking be like coming down the 'elevator' to Calypso Cascade? We had plenty of questions when we started out in the exceptionally cool morning. Our first glimpse up to Meeker, Pagoda and Chiefshead showed yet more snow had dusted the peaks.

We reached Finch Lake without battling too much snow, and even found a sunny spot to stop for lunch.

We decided to try the 'elevator' for our descent. Most of the unofficial fisherman's trail was under snow that tilted straight into Cony Creek. We followed the trail where we could, but when the snow became too difficult, we headed up the side of drainage, through downed trees and tiring pockets of snow. Finally the snow started thinning out, and the raging creek beside us was phenomenal.

Emerald Lake workout

Speediest ascent of Emerald Lake ever! Shep, Gabe, Lila and Muneca near Dream Lake. Nothing like the last day of spring on plenty of snow and in shorts.

McGregor Ranch

The fields around McGregor Ranch are greener than anywhere else in Estes. The irrigation ditches are running full, watering the meadows. What a spot to have homesteaded. The view up to Longs Peak never gets old.

Sam, Jessie and Muneca taking a lunch break at McGregor Falls.

I have never seen any of the falls in the park as full as they have been this year, and McGregor Falls is no exception. Water tumbling and spraying from a relatively small creek as it crashes down the rocks.

I Dream of summer

The winter that never ended. Dream Lake is finally free of ice, but there is much still to melt in the high country. Hiking is for the intrepid few still.

Boulder Brook - rushing water and bearclaws

Up and down the Boulder Brook for a hike that took us through three seasons. Hot and dusty horse trails at the bottom, raging spring creek through the middle, and deep snow at the top. The snow makes for interesting tracking. We expected to see elk and deer, but when the larger footprint with toes showed up, we knew that a bear had been up that way within the last day or so.

Calypso

It was fitting to find a few Calypso orchids while on my first trip to Calyspo Cascades for the year. The Cascades and Copeland Falls were rushing in full force. The North St Vrain was even trying to find a new path down the trail in one place. But the snow is almost gone from the trail, and the flowers are beginning to assert themselves against the elements.

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.