Black and Blue Lakes

I will never get tired of this hike. It passes through so many of my favorite places with so many memories. We reached Mills Lake by 8am as the sun was hitting the western slopes. Shady, cool and breezy on the eastern side, we didn't stop for long. On through the mile of blowdown area that still looks post-apocalyptic 18 months later. As we approched Black Lake, the last pockets of snow were still holding out near Ribbon Falls.

At Black Lake, Bruce received his 250 mile patch. Muneca was lucky enough to join in the celebration again this year.

With only minor krumholz fumbling, we made it to the bench which holds Blue Lake. The view of upper Glacier Gorge from here is hard to comprehend. It is a huge bowl scoured out, with 13,000 and 14,000 foot peaks surrounding it.

Thanks to Pat's prediction, the wind did soften enough for us to enjoy lunch at Blue Lake, including some of Ken's delicious chocolates.

From the north side of the bench, you can walk out and look back down Glacier Gorge. Jewel and Mills lakes lie below.  

Another stop at Black Lake on the way down allowed us to sprawl on the grass and take in the imposing mass of McHenrys.

Emerald Lake Photo Hike

When you get up at 4:30am to go on a 6am photo hike, you just might take a lot of photos. And if the light is good, you might take a few that you like. And if you are in Rocky Mountain National Park, you have some beautiful subject matter. The morning stillness of Nymph Lake provided a perfect backdrop for our first stop. Waterlilies are only starting to pop up in the lake.

More Nymph Lake reflections.

Walking around to the far side of Nymph Lake brought a reflection of Longs Peak and Thatchtop.

Further up the trail from Nymph, the view to Glacier Gorge opens up. The glacier knobs show up against the higher gorge, and half mountain does appear to be sliced in half from the force of the glaciers.

As the sun starting hitting the rocks and warming up the chilly morning, a marmot joined us on the trail.

Dream Lake may be the most photographed lake in the park, but for good reason. A short hike with a big reward. Hallet and the buttresses of Flattop tower in the distance.

There is a slightly better chance of mirrorlike reflections in the early morning than any other time of day. Our luck continued to hold as we roamed around the shore of Dream Lake.  

Jacobs Ladder was one of the few flowers in bloom in the subalpine area around Dream and Emerald.

I'm slowly learning how to use the panorama mode on my new camera. I can finally get a full shot of Emerald Lake.

Our group at Emerald Lake - Jill (with Muenca), John, Maggie, and Bruce.

Twin Lakes

A hike in Wild Basin in June means that the hunt for a calypso orchid is on. A flash of pink/purple in the foilage beneath the pine trees is the only clue you receive. Finally, we were rewarded by one of the elusive flowers.

Bushwhacking up several hundred feet from the trail, through juniper bushes and loose rocks, we arrived at the larger of the Twin Lakes. This lake provides the perfect foreground for a view into the upper reaches of Wild Basin.

A short hike through the boulders and plenty of spider webs and we emerged at the smaller of the twin lakes. Lily pads are starting to spread out across its surface.

Our group at Twin Lakes

Deserted Village - or is it Dessert Village?

Strolling up the North Fork of the Big Thompson River, the summer flowers were in full force. Luckily Dott was along to help on the few that stumped me. Our destination was the deserted hunting camp of Lord Dunraven. Not much remains except for the one dilapidated cabin, situated in a large meadow next to the river.

Muneca had to check out the old window once again. I think this is her annual shot.

After the hike, we had to stop at the real destination, the Glenhaven General Store. Cinnamon rolls are just as wonderul as they have always been.

The Needles on Lumpy Ridge

A day without a pending thunderstorm is always a plus when hiking up to any destination at the top of Lumpy Ridge. Instead we had some intense sun as we hiked across the fields above MacGregor Ranch and headed for the gully next to Sundance Buttress. At the base of the gully, we realized we still had about 1500 feet to go - this was going to be steep. As we reached the first rock walls, the path took us through this enormous cave, large enough for all to take a break on the way back down later.

We finally finished zigzagging our way up the gulley and reached the saddle with the Needles on either side of us. Our first ascent was the eastern Needle, which is the tallest. Just a little scramble and we were there.

After lunch at the saddle, we did a quick climb of the next Needle. More great granite, and more dramatic dropoffs. The more I hike around Lumpy Ridge, the more I am intrigued. It is so different than any other area of the park, formed by uplift and not glaciated. Domes of granite pop up everywhere, inviting you to scramble around like a kid.

Beaver Mountain

It was a Tom Hike. Those of you who hike with the Y regularly know what that means. Expect the unexpected. Especially when he said that it was only 6 miles, but was going to feel like 8. Starting at Upper Beaver Meadows, we headed up the Ute Trail, stopping at some beautiful lookouts over Moraine Park. The Big Thompson was winding its way through the newly green meadow.

And then the fun began. Bushwhacking (or whackbushing) up the ridge to the first false summit, and across to the real summit. I think Tom purposely makes the route obscure so no one would ever find it again.

The view was worth the 1000 foot of oxygen deprived climb. Every summit surpises me by revealing the surrounding mountains from a slightly different angle.

Tom even had a chance to relax on top, before taking us down a different route on the way back. How was it possible that it was both shorter and less steep on the return? Tom always performs his magic on a hike. And yes, it felt more like 7 miles because it was.

Cabin Creek Cascades - Father's Day

Shhhhh. It's a secret. Tucked away in a quiet corner of the park where Cabin Creek flows down from the eastern flank of Meeker. The spring runoff crashes down the numerous cascades.

There may not be a specific destination, but it doesn't matter. The stream is the destimation. Just close your eyes and listen.

The flowers are going to be spectacular in a couple of weeks. Tall chiming bells and arrow leafed ragwort are reaching up on both banks.

And did I mention it was Father's Day? A special treat back at the cabin for Larry and Richard. A big piece of pie AND a beer!

Summer Mornings

Muneca is back. A little behind on some postings. I will try to catch up today. But the morning is too perfect to rush. Sitting on my porch, cup of coffee by my side getting cool while I watch life unfold in front of me.

The North St Vrain is in full runoff after the last week of hot weather, providing a soundtrack and constant motion. The bird feeders and geraniums have been hung for the season. A broadtailed hummingbird discovered the first feeder before it was even out of my hand. A hairy woodpecker is clawing at the sunflower seeds, frantically searching for the perfect kernels to stash in the nearby ponderosa pine. Flycatchers are perching on the aspen snag, on the lookout for their next snack.

A few days ago, Ms Moose paid me an early morning visit. As I was walking up the path to my car, engrossed in my thoughts, I saw this tall dark body in front of me, with long legs that seemed to stretch up higher than my head. She trotted away, around the side of the cabin, and I followed, just to watch. The moose have only recently come to the eastern side of the park, and Wild Basin is hosting a fairly large group. But they are reclusive, and I will always stop to enjoy when they come to say hello.

Somedays it feels right to just sit back and take it all in.

Happy Easter

We returned from our journey to New Zealand in time for spring and a gorgeous Easter. Snow at our arrival and green grass and daffodils almost ready to pop by the end of the week. Lilacs have tiny buds, swelling every day. When I cleared out last year's dead stalks, my perennials were green underneath. Content to be home for the season where I can listen to the meadowlarks on my runs and the finches out my window.

Central Otago Rail Trail

A week into our trip now, and we are out of the car for a week cycling the rail trail. We stayed at the Gladbrook station last night and woke to a spectacular sunrise. Picked up our bikes from Cycle Surgery and we were on our way. 50 kilometers of open landscape today.

Golden hills, rocks, sheep, rivers, bridges, and old train stations line the trail.

A little more than halfway, we stopped for lunch in Hyde. Muneca made friends with Tim behind the counter. Great food, a thirst quenching beer, and we were back on the trail.

You can tell this is a very serious ride.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from Muneca

Spiders

I love having fall twice. Quick and early in the high mountains and then more leisurely a few thousand feet lower. Although we usually do have our first real storms at the beginning of November, today still belongs to autumn.

One of my favorite trails was calling my name this morning. Less crowded than some and with beautiful views. I brought along the camera just in case there was something interesting to snap. A small movement along the trail in front of me caught my attention. Furry, grey, and almost the size of my palm, a gigantic wolf spider stood still. That's the second one I've seen in 26 years in Colorado and this time I could take a photo.

Gemstones

High above Gem Lake are the amazing Gemstones. Nice, sticky granite that you can scramble around on and feel like you are a kid. Tom, Linda, Pete and I circled the lake and enjoyed the views of the high mountains in every direction. Unfortunately, we also had a great view of the plume of smoke coming from the Fern Lake Fire which started yesterday.

It's October so the weather couldn't really make up its mind. 27 when I woke up, 50 an hour later in Allenspark, 37 at the trailhead, 70 by lunch time, and so beautiful that we headed for our second destination of the day.

I'll never turn down a chance to try a little rock climbing, so off to an area near Lily Mountain we went. Fun on the rocks all day long. My fingers are sore and not from typing on a computer for a change.

 

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Ouzel Falls

The last hike of the summer season. The snow shoes might be coming out sooner than expected. The cold front blew in yesterday afternoon resulting in a few inches of snow on the ground and some chilly temps. The low water, snow covered boulders, and fall colors in the bushes and trees made for some incredible scenes.

The water is still cascading out of Ouzel Falls, but in a very subdued manner. You can view the falls without getting soaked. In summer it is a welcome relief. Today, we were happy to stay dry as the fog covered us soon enough and the dampness started to work through our bones.


Enjoying the last hike of the season at the YMCA of the Rockies - Jim, Jane, Brenda (and Muneca), Jeff, Marise and Maggie