Don's Blog - Final Colorado Trip Report 8-27-21

For our final trip Jan and my son Chris and I went to the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. Specifically two weeks earlier on the computer we got a ticket to park at Long Lake near the Brained Lake Trailhead.  I have been coming here for years and it is only the second time ever that we have had a parking spot at the Long Lake Trailhead. When we arrived at the Brained Lake Station the man at the gate said, "I see you won the lottery." He scanned our ticket and we drove to Brained Lake where we were again met by an enthusiastic lady who again checked our permit. We then drove up to the Long Lake parking lot where there indeed were some parking places. There we were checked for a third time by another friendly enthusiastic lady to make  certain that my lottery ticket was real. This one had a New  York accent. I had to place the ticket on my dash board for all to see. (This really happened.)

We packed up our lunch and took off on the quarter mile trail to Long Lake.

We finally go to the spot that this trip is all about. This is one of the most breathtaking places not just in Colorado but the world. The usually snow capped Indian peaks preside over Long Lake which empties into a rapid creek.

We walked to through the wind (which was creating medium size white caps on the lake) to a secluded area in the pines for 

for lunch. Then we took a trail down to a sand beach on the lake.

The view is quietly spectacular.

The wind had calmed remarkably. The lake is about one mile long so twice that for a walk around. Instead of circuiting the lake we just looked for flowers So late in the season there were only a few.

Gentian

Kings Crown

We had a wonderful day at a special place.

Here is the creek outflowing from the lake.

I highly recommend you put the  Long Lake Trailhead on your Lottery List.

Don's Blog Trail Ridge 8-26-21

One of the signature features of RMNP is Trail Ridge. The other day we went up the hairy unpaved Fall River Road to the alpine visitors Center. Because of Covid we did not go inside and because of the ferocious wind we could not even take may pictures. We went up the  paved Trail ridge road which is an extension of US 34 which went through my hometown of La Grange, Illinois as Ogden Avenue just a few blocks from our home. The weather was great and although windy and cold at 12,000 feet  we did take a few pictures.

Here we are looking down at the Sheep lakes in horseshoe Park where we saw the herd of bighorn ewes and lambs.

And here we are above timberline looking across Forest Canyon at the beautiful mountains of the Front Range

It is inspiring and we definitely noticed the altitude.

Don's Blog The Search 8-28-21

As our trip to the recreational wonderland winds down I must report on our search for animals. For most of three weeks we have  seen

only a few mule deer and elk and no moose yet. Finally we drove into the national park the other night at dusk and saw a large number of elk both in herds and in small groups. We are still not sure where they have been hiding.

The closest we have come to anything wild is this young tom  turkey who shared  the trail with us yesterday. He

pretty much ignored us as he walked by. You have to go with what you get,

Don's Blog Wild Basin II 8-25-21

The Wild Basin Trail  to the bridge recently shown was quite busy with talking groups of hikers - a natural anathema to 

hikers who enjoy the silence of the trail. My partner knew of an alternate trail (the Campsite Trail) which bypasses the main trial by going up a separate valley.

Taking this cutoff trail resulted in immediate silence.

It is a trail to several backpacker campsites. It is more primitive and has several extraordinary sections as we climbed to meet the main 

trail branch above us to Thunder Lake. We did not go all the way toThunder Lake. I had last been there in  1951. It is amazing to be on a trail where you can experience the peace that "passeth all understanding".

Here is a rare shot of our intrepid hero. I used tithing of hiking poles as a sign of weakness. Now I see them as a technologic miracle.

After a leisurely lunch we walked back down to the main trail.

The occasional break out of the forest had exceptional views.

Here is a view of the back side of Mount Meeker (right)and the flat summit of Longs Peak (left) from behind them.

On the way down we passed Ouzel Falls (not shown) and Calypso cascades.

Unfortunately just as my hiking legs are getting stronger this adventure has to end.

Don's Blog Wild Basin I 8-24-21

Wild Basin in RMNP is in the south eastern part of the park. Because of the new ticket entry system it is also one of the busiest

areas. The parking lot is small and we were fortunate to find a place. There are several trails to take from the trailhead.

The closest point os interest is Copeland Falls.

Here is Lower Copeland Falls.

From here the trail goes up to a series of magnificent bridges most of which were built by the CCC in

the 1930's. 

The bridges go over the various branches of the North St. Vrain River.

Don's Blog Some knowns and unknowns 8-24-21

We were at Wild Basin in RMNP and came up with some knowns and unknowns.

This is fireweed (Epilobium augustifolium) - it is so named as after a fire it is one of the first flowers to come back.

Amanita (Ananitaceae) mushroom - I never eat ANY wild mushrooms

Lady fern((Atheneum filix-femina) - from along the forest trail

Unknown dirty white mushroom - id anyone?

Unknown large insect on Jan's orange - id anyone?

Don's Blog Tundra Flowers 8-22-21

Today was my mother's 119th birthday. When she was twenty her father brought the family to Estes Park by car and they stayed at the Estes Park Chalet which is currently on the site of Mary's Lake Lodge. Since she was there both structures have burned to the ground. 

In her honor we drove up the Fall River Road to the top of Trail Ridge. I usually take photos of alpine tundra flowers just before the top. 

The weather was windy with hail so I was able to photograph only a few. The wind was so ferocious on the top that I was unable to take any images. These are all tiny flowers.

Here are the tundra flowers  shot with my camera in the sleet.

Yellow mariposa lily (Calochortus)

Striped gentian (Gentiana villosa)

Saxifrage pink (Peliorhagia)

Don's Blog Middle St. Vrain River Trail 8-19-21

Sorry if you are growing weary of trail adventures. I am still excited about hiking in

the peace and solitude of the mountains. The Middle St. Vrain River Trail was constructed by the 

CCC in the 1930's and is an exceptional walk along a splendid river.

We took a leisurely  if persistent hike which had many easy portions and some steep and rocky parts.

There are always long views of the trail ahead and the river is always nearby.

Unfortunately we had to curtail the trip because of an impending deluge but my legs at the end of the hike told me

it was a better idea than I thought at the time.

Don's Blog Middle St. Vrain River Trail 8-19-21

Sorry if you are growing weary of trail adventures. I am still excited about hiking in

the peace and solitude of the mountains. The Middle St. Vrain River Trail was constructed by the 

CCC in the 1930's and is an exceptional walk along a splendid river.

We took a leisurely  if persistent hike which had many easy portions and some steep and rocky parts.

There are always long views of the trail ahead and the river is always nearby.

Unfortunately we had to curtail the trip because of an impending deluge but my legs at the end of the hike told me

it was a better idea than I thought at the time.

Don's Blog Happy Anniversary 8-18-21

SIXTY YEARS and still on the trail. Couldn't be better.

Jan and Don

Don's Blog: Happy Anniversary 8-18-21

SIXTY YEARS and still on the trail. Couldn't be better.

Jan and Don

Don's Blog Bridal Veil Falls 8-17-21

I hiked with a friend on the Cow Creek Trail to Bridal Veil Falls in RMNP.

The trail was gradual to begin with.

It got steeper and entered a cool green valley with a wonderful two bridges over a stream and a wonderful fall.

Then the trail became steeper. 

And after a chaotic scramble we came to Bridal Veil Falls.