Mills Lake

Yeah - the bridge to Glacier Gorge has finally been fixed by the Park Service. Mills Lake and beyond are open just in time to take our Belgian friends, Jean, Joelle, Alexander and Hugo up.

Little did we know that Alexander and Jean have a habit of swimming in high lakes in France and Switzerland. This might have been a little bit colder than they were used to.

Emerald Lake

Almost every week I have been leading one early morning photo hike. Although I dislike getting up at 4am as much as the next person, I have been rewarded by spectacular views and uncrowded trails. This morning the clouds over Longs Peak were gorgeous.

A cloud bank hung over the high peaks most of the day, reminding me of the "table cloth" that forms over Table Mountain in Capetown.

Just when we thought the day would hold no more surprises, the reflection in Dream Lake on the hike out caused us to take even more photos.

Chapin

I am supposed to lead a hike later in the week up to CCY (Chapin, Chiquita and Ypsilon) so I thought I would check out conditions. Fall River Road is still closed, but you can hike down from the alpine visitor's center. However, you aren't really supposed to go through the closed area, so I unsucessfully hunted for a way around all the closed signs. Once I got through to survey the snow on Chapin Pass, I decided I might as well carry on to Mt. Chapin. Pretty interesting being the only person out there on a beautiful July day!

The mummies always look so smooth and surprising on the back side, compared to their sheer fronts. Most of the snow on the back had melted out, making for an easy hike to the summit.

There is still a lot of snow in the area for mid July - a great combination of mid-summer greenery with snowcapped peaks.

Mt Lady Washington

Finally I was able to get to a peak! With all the snow, I've stayed down low so far this season. so the chance to stretch my legs and attack some rocks was welcome. We decided to climb Mt Lady Washington from the east - less trail and quite a few more rocks - almost a mile up with a gain of almost 2000 feet. But it was so fun to be on the granite again, and the view from the top as you climb over the last rock, and Longs Peak appears in your face is not to be missed.

Sarah on the summit looking for climbers on the Diamond.

We came down via the west ridge and back onto the regular Longs Peak trail just below the Boulderfield. A herd of 30 to 40 elk was happily enjoying the sunshine and the grass. A few calves still had their spots and were hidden among the rocks.

Wildflowers

No - I will never tire of wildflowers.

Sunset brilliance

The mountains don't always provide the colorful sunsets that you get at the coast because the air is so dry, there is nothing to reflect the last rays of the sun. But tonight was different with spectacular cloud formations over the mountains lighting up the sky.

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.