Bear Lake Sunrise

Bear Lake at sunrise - and we are the only ones there. Every few yards brings another view.


The sun finally hit the surface of the lake - a hazy morning and the shine only lasted a few minutes.

Although Hallet dominates the main view, from the other side of the lake, you can see Longs.

For a special treat on the way out, a large bull elk was browsing by the side of the road. The velvet has been shed, and he is gearing up for the mating season. 

Flattop

Monday - a chilly day for a hikemaster and friends hike up Flattop. There was a breeze at Bear Lake, but we didn't think too much about it. We were trying to ignore the signs that summer is planning its departure.  

As we ascended, the layers kept coming out of our packs. There was a reason we have been carrying the wool hats and fleece jackets all summer.

Pikas were scurrying all over the tundra, munching away and carrying more grasses to their underground lairs. Late in the summer is the best time to photograph them - they are so intent on capturing calories for the winter.

Celebration time for Travis making it to the summit! 

Looking like an arctic expedition by this point we had a very quick lunch. Then back down the mountain and out of the wind to try and warm up.

Thunder Lake

Six and a half miles up the trail lies one of the many perfect lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Surrounded by the high peaks of Mt Alice and Tanima, and a glimpse of Boulder Grand Pass in the distance, the lake is a perfect destination, but one that you always want to savor for as long as possible.

Our group was fast today, allowing us to enjoy that extra time at the lake. And luckily for the Rushes, there was no sign of impending storms this trip, removing the thunder from Thunder Lake.


The other thing that I love about Thunder Lake is the ranger cabin that sits in the meadow alongside the lake. There have been so many trips to the lake in early spring or late fall when a small plume of smoke has been curling out of the chimney when I have arrived. It imparts a different feel to this lake - one that has perhaps had a different relationship to men.

On the return trip, we made a final stop at Copeland Falls. The water is lower this year than I have seen it in for years. The curves in the rocks by the falls are more distinctive and smooth. One of these hot days I will have to succumb to the siren's song of the perfect icy pool.

Sunrise

There are many mornings in the summer when I wake up before dawn to go hiking. Occaisionally I catch the sunrise over the mountains while I am driving into work. Sometimes it reflects on the face of Longs Peak giving it a pink glow. Other times it is making its way above Twin Sisters like it was this morning. And sometimes it is exchanging glances with the moon as it sets over the continental divide.

Tourmaline Tarn

Hiking to Tourmaline Tarn allows you to realize that the journey is just as beautiful as the destination. We started from Bear Lake and passed the reflection of Hallet in the lake. Then up the trail to Lake Helene and the view to the top of Odessa Gorge. Down to Odessa Lake and another look up the beautiful gorge, dominated by Nothctop and Little Matterhorn.

Then the fun began. There is no real trail up to Tourmaline Tarn. We kept to the north side of the outlet stream, trying to avoid downed trees and thick krumholz. Crossing to the south side of the stream and attempting to stay left of the biggest boulders, and thinking that is was just above the next rise, the terrain flattened into a shelf and the tarn appeared.

Jess (with Muneca), Meg, Craig, Carol, Theresa, Beth, Rick, Ross and Maggie at Tourmaline Tarn.

We found our way back to Lake Odessa, and then had to climb back out of the warm gorge to Lake Helene. A welcome rest break at the top of the gorge allowed us to look back at where we had been. Only three downhill miles back to the trailhead. That seemed easy at this point.

Dinner at the Pool

When the afternoon thunderstorms don't materialize, a dinner hike is a perfect way to finish off the day. Hiking to the Pool, we were able to relax, listen to the Big Thompson rushing along beside us, and explore what appeared to be two degrees of separation.

A picnic always tastes better when you are in a beautiful place. Up on the rocks overlooking the Pool, my first tomatoes of the season and basil from the garden on some fresh bread was perfect.

At The Pool - Martha, Ken, Richard, Ladonna (and Muneca). Maggie, Clare, Georgia and Bob.

Mills Lake - Celebrations

Is it possible that this is my first trip past Alberta Falls this year? I just haven't been up to Glacier Gorge as much as usual. But today was a special day. We had a few things to celebrate.

A day early, we celebrated Elaine's birthday. I'm glad that we happened to be going to Mills Lake as I feel that is the place I have shared with family for the last 26 years, and all the Y hikers do feel like fmaily.

We also celebrated Bob receiving his 500 mile patch from Muneca. Quite an accomplishment! Now on to reaching 1000 - he has to try to catch up with Gaylee.

Our group at Mills Lake

Mt Audubon

Others often ask me which hike is my favorite.. I always have to pause, because it is such a difficult question. Based on beauty of the destination? Based on beauty of the journey? Based on challenge? Based on memories associated with the hike?
Mt Audubon has to be in my top five hikes based on all of the above. I can't even count how many times I have sat on the top, savoring the view. I have brought each of my daughters to its summit when they were 9 years old. I have celebrated an anniversary dinner on top. I have laughed and screamed with so many friends as I have taken them down the snowfield. And I can see it from my bedroom window.

Today I was able to share it with another wonderful group of hikers. Despite the wind, chilly temperatures, and cloudy skies, we set a steady pace up to the tundra. While very few wildflowers were still blooming, pikas were out in force, gathering greens to bury down low in their mountain dens.

After a quick snack at the saddle, we started up the rocks to the top. There is no single path, and I doubt I have ever followed the exact same route while threading my way through the boulders. The dark green rosettes of the Big Rooted Spring Beauty were still scattered among the rocks, some surrounded by their circle of tiny white flowers.

Once at the top, there are numerous shelters to block the wind, which allowed us to enjoy lunch on the summit. Navajo and Apache dominate the skyline to the south.

To the north we could enjoy the mountains of the Front Range from a different angle. Chiefshead, Pagoda, Longs Peak, and Meeker rise up over all the other peaks in the area.

At the summit of Mt Audubon, Maggie, Maria, Tommy, Theresa, Sam (with Muneca on his head), Greg, David, Linda, Kevin, Annie and Carroll.

I've been trying my hardest to arrange the best hikes possible for Kevin. We saw a young moose on the drive into Brainard Lake that morning. But on our drive out, four bull moose were grazing in the willow thickets just south of the lake. What will I be able to pull out of my hat  for the next hike?

Lake Haiyaha

Starting at Bear Lake, the trail to Lake Haiyaha passes through some of the most beautiful scenery in the park. After visiting Nymph Lake, we headed up the trail to Dream Lake. I may have been there 100 times, but it is always a little different depending on the sunlight, the clouds, the wind and the time of day. It never disappoints.

From Dream Lake, we turned left and up the hill toward Lake Haiyaha. Flowers were still plentiful on the mountainside to our right. Mountain Goldenrod, Fireweed, and Star-flowered Pyrola were tucked away in the rocky nooks. But one intrepid hiker (was it Evan or Jordan?) found the heart-shaped rock embedded in the trail.

 

Making our way over the last boulders, Lake Haiyaha came into view. Completely different than all its neighbors, it is surrounded by large boulders and protected by an 800 year old limber pine. There's room for everyone to find the perfect rock for lunch, accompanied by a fresh wild raspberry for dessert.



Our group at Lake Haiyaha in no particular order - Rich, Kevin, Margy, Patricia, Elaine, Maggie, Bob, Evan with Muneca, Jordan, Gaylee, Betty, Linda, John, Bob, Rich, Maribeth, Nancy

Keplinger Lake

Beyond Sandbeach Lake lies an area that is rarely visited. We wound our way up a faint and very steep trail toward Mt Orton. As we reached the tundra, views of magnificent mountains opened up on all sides. To the north, we could see Meeker, Longs, and Pagoda. Our destination was Keplinger Lake at the southern base of Pagoda, still looking quite far away.

Once past Mt Orton and up on the ridge, the going got easier. Some tundra, a drop down into Hunter's Creek and an easy half mile up the drainage, we arrived at our destination. The ridges of Pagoda surround Keplinger Lake and almost curve back on top of you with their contrasting bands of rock.

We wasted no time digging into our lunches at the lake. It had been a long 7 and a half miles. After the rock skipping and rock misfire competition, we posed for our group photo: Linda, Kevin, Bob, Beth, Brendan, Rich, Richard (with Muneca) and Maggie.


Muneca and Geoffrey thoroughly enjoyed their second date, although we didn't allow them much private time on the rock. We wanted to get down off the rough terrain before any storm hit.


Making our way back up Orton Ridge, we could see back into the main part of Wild Basin. Thunder, Box and Eagle Lakes were below us, and in the distance, Mt Alice rose on the skyline. The heavens did finally open on us, but not until we were back on the trail heading down from Sandbeach Lake. A few flashes of lightning and the immediate thunder were uncomfortably close, but we made it down safely, drenched and exhausted.

Parika Lake and the Raspberry Moose

It is always a treat to head over to the west side of the park. Yes, the drive is long and you have to get up earlier, but you get a chance to experience what happens when you mix gorgeous Colorado mountains with a generous amount of moisture. Throw in the fact that you almost always see herds of elk up on Trail Ridge Road at sunrise, and why not go visit.

Today we set out for one of my favorite places - Parika Lake. It's actually just outside the park at the very southern edge of the Never Summers. Big trees, plenty of undergrowth, and delicious raspberries 3 miles into the hike. A perfect place for a short break, although Bob and I could have spent the entire hike right there.

I am always on a moose hunt when I head to the west side, but I usually expect to see them on the valley floor along the river, not 6 miles up the trail and almost at tree line. Nate was leading us, came around a corner, and came face to face with Mr Moose. I think his heart is still pounding.

Parika Lake is always stunning. Last year I was here the same week and snow filled the other side of the valley. This year, all was green.

Many flowers were still blooming on the west side, but the mountain gentian remain one of my favorites. The blue is so deep and rich, and yet they remind me that the end of summer is fast approaching.

Parika Lake - Annie, Elliot, Nate, Kim, Kevin, Angie, Dennis, Bob, Dick, Ricardo (and Muneca), Catherine and Maggie