Spotted Saxifrage

More new flowers for the season along the North Longs Peak and Boulder Brook trails. A delicate Spotted Saxifrage rose from the rocks on the side of the trail.

Tumbling and splashing for over two miles, Boulder Brook led us back to the trailhead. Burbling falls show themselves around every corner.

This little green butterfly was enjoying the Jamesia (waxflower) which was blooming all along the trail.

Water lilies and Wood lilies

With all the other lakes and waterfalls and summits to choose from, I often forget how peaceful it is at Cub Lake. The water lilies are beginning to show their golden blooms, although a hungry moose must have just waded through the lunch table before we got there.

Evan and Erin certainly know how to hike. Forget all the heavy stuff - just make sure you pack your hammock for the ultimate rest stop.

After years of missing the wood lilies, this year they are blooming in profusion near the ponds below Cub Lake. Fragile, short lived, bursting with color - they are indeed a special treat.

Experiencing the sunrise

I was astounded by the quality of the light during our early morning photo hike to Emerald Lake. We arrived at Bear Lake just as the first light was hitting the mountains. The air was completely still, allowing the lake to mirror the view of Longs Peak, Keyboard of the Winds and Pagoda in the distance.

Even the Globeflowers were turning their heads to the rising sun.

Emerald Lake is trying hard to loosen itself from the grip of winter.The ice is almost gone from the lake; the snow is almost gone from the trail, but the view up the valley shows that summer has yet to arrive.

Search for Marguerite Falls

We tried to solve the dilema of Marguerite Falls. It is shown on the map just downstream from the Fern Lake outlet, and there is a lovely cascade at that place. But we have a photo of Marguerite Falls circa 1930's, and it shows a waterfall with a significant vertical drop. The puzzle continues...

 On the way down we spotted the first Brownie Lady Slipper Orchid of the season. Not as colorful as their Calypso cousin, but still beautiful.

Bierstadt

One of my favorite easy hikes is the one-way trek from Bear Lake to Bierstadt. A beautiful view at Bear Lake to start, a short climb through the aspens, and then downhill to Beirstadt, where you can gaze back up to the mountains of the Front Range.

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4th of July - mountain style

4th of July in Estes Park. Some of the best fireworks that I have ever seen light the skies over Lake Estes, while the booms reverberate off the mountains. Hikemasters at the YMCA of the Rockies have a tradition of hiking to a lookout on the Gem Lake trail, and lugging a watermelon for the guests.

Muneca and Gregory enjoyed the watermelon while waiting for the fireworks to begin.

Deserted Village and the Fabio sighting

Deserted Village. The North Fork of the Big Thompson. A hike filled with columbines and friends, both new and old. Water rushing everywhere, so loudly it was hard to talk at times, and yet the conversation kept going strong. Stream crossings and wet boots. Fabio. This is what life is all about.

Joe, Cynthia, George, Katie, Margo with Muneca, Peter, Diane, Richard, Doug, Dan and Maggie at Deserted Village.

Thunder Lake snow trek

Despite the high water and the remaining snow, our intrepid group of Gregory, Evan, Cory, Jenaina, George and Maggie headed up for an attempt on Thunder Lake. The park service says that the "average melt out" date for the Thunder Lake campsites is 6/30. For some reason I think this year will affect that average.

About a mile before the lake, the snow went from patchy to 6 ft deep. We were able to cross the outlet stream from Lion, but no more tracks beyond there, and the going got much tougher. We called it a day with a long 1/4 mile still to go, enabling us to get off the snow before the thunderstorm drenched us.

Rushing water and Lyric Falls

When it hits the 90's on the plains, there is no better time to be up in the mountains, hiking beside a cool, shady stream. We went in search of Lyric Falls on Hunters Creek. Although still not sure which cascade was the actual falls, the creek was flowing swiftly with white water all around. Patches of snow still linger at the 10,000 foot elevation.

 Cousins Mary Margaret, Katherine, Gregory and Evan with Muneca on the bridge over Hunters Creek.

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.