Trail Ridge Road

One branch of the Highlander Clan renewed our yearly tradition of journeying up Trail Ridge Road which was opened in July 1932.  Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous motorway in the United States with more than 8 miles above 11,000';  the highest elevation is 12,183'.  The road approximates the historic path followed by native Americans when crossing the Rocky Mountains.  These gorgeous photos of Trail Ridge Road are borrowed from emily large Photography.

One can stop along the way at several points to take in the magnificent views or even hike from various trailheads.  The traditional and favorite hike of the Highlander Clan has always started at the Tundra Communities trailhead at Rock Cut and climbed gently 260' to the Toll Memorial.  The hike is .5 miles (one way) and offers a close up view of the alpine tundra environment - complete with tiny wildflowers, colorful lichen, and scampering pikas.  (By the way, 2011 visitors to Highlander will find a pika in the cabin!)

BMS (Bear Lake, Moraine Park, Sprague Lake)

BMS!  We never tire of them.  Rocky Mountain National Park's (RMNP) glorious destinations are perfectly suited to the Highlander Clan's  6 babes, all 3 and under.  And, no matter how many times we visit, we always find something new.  Take this, for example: 

Now, of course, we didn't just find the RMNP Shuttle, but we did find ourselves riding it for the first time ever!  I'd always felt sorry for the poor folks circling the Bear Lake parking lot, thinking someone should have told them that one needs to be there at least by 10 am in July in order to get a parking place.  Well, this summer, we were the poor folks!  And, you know, it wasn't bad at all parking in the shuttle lot and hitching a ride to Bear Lake!  It was actually a fun adventure and, thankfully, the babes didn't seem to mind the extra travel time.  These pictures from Bear Lake are courtesy of emily large Photography since I forgot my camera.

Bear's Clues are always important stops along the trail around Bear Lake.

Snack stops are even more important!

This pointe is always a big favorite, walking out on the big rock  .....

and actually getting to reach into the water of Bear Lake.

The Highlander Clan's visit to Moraine Park offered new experiences also!  Of course, there are always the flowers for little princesses .....

   

and the many large boulders to climb .....

but never before have we stopped on the edge of the park, picnicking at a picnic table instead of going deep into park and spreading our picnic in the meadow.  We were unusually tired, though, and the weather was threatening, so ...... a new experience hiking to Moraine Park!

My favorite new find, however, was this deer on the Y grounds as we hiked back to the car.  Our large clan allowed me many shots of the deer who was happy as a lark to have me hovering nearby.  I look forward to finding him again as we hike to and from Moraine Park in 2011.  Since he has a big scar I'll be able to spot him, but, then, I should name him.  Any ideas?

Sprague Lake is handicap accessible and even has a nearby accessible camp site

which makes it very stroller friendly!

Sadly, Sprague's lodge pole pines need this hug Molly is giving!  The pine bark beetle is in full attack there!

The new finds at Sprague Lake were this rapid overflow from the Lake and many more than normal beautiful wildflowers.  Both of these finds can be attributed to the later and heavier that normal snows that RMNP received this Spring.

Ouzel Lake, July 2010

Our most adventurous hikers set out for yet another new destination:  Ouzel Lake.  This Lake is in the southeastern corner of RMNP, the Wild Basin area.  There are many secluded mountain lakes and wonderful waterfalls, as well as rugged high peaks.   The lakes are, in general, very good for fishing and Ouzel is, in particular, filled with hungry Greenback Cutthroats.

The hike to Ouzel Lake begins at the Wild Basin Trailhead which can be found by driving 12.5 miles south of Estes Park on CO 7 to Wild Basin Road and then turning west on Wild Basin Road for another 2.5 miles where there is parking for the Trailhead.  At the Wild Basin Trailhead, the hiker chooses Thunder Head Trail.  The climb to Ouzel Lake is approximately 5.5 miles (one way) with an altitude gain of 1,520' to an elevation of 10,020'.

The hiker quickly reaches Lower

and Upper Copeland Falls.

The trail continues through the subalpine forest along Cony Creek to Calypso Cascades, named for the delicate pink orchids that bloom nearby in June.

Leaving Calypso Cascades, the trail travels through part of the prominent burned-out area from the 1978 Ouzel Fire,  the most wide-spread burn in RMNP's history.  The Fire destroyed so many of the trees that now the hiker enjoys amazing views of Mt. Meeker and Long's Peak.

Ouzel Falls is the most popular destination in Wild Basin.  It is a 40' cascade in Ouzel Creek that plunges dramatically over a small granite cliff through a deep rock cut into a beautiful pool.  Enos Mills is credited with naming Ouzel Creek ....

.....  in honor of the chunky but swift, gray water Ouzel, or American Dipper.  These birds are commonly seen along Ouzel Creek; they bob up and down on the rocks before diving completely under water to catch food.

The pretty Ouzel Lake sits snugly against Mt. Copeland's northern face.  The striking peak is craggy and provides an imposing backdrop to the serenity of the calm waters.  Ouzel and Manaha Peaks  are also seen from the Lake and are perhaps the most photogenic.

Worship in the Rockies (and Breakfast too!)

The Highlander Clan has experienced many firsts in visiting the Y lately.  Not surprising, considering our many additions.  Organized Sunday Worship for the Clan has always taken place at the Y's Hyde Chapel.

It's been wonderful seeing the attendance steadily increase over the years.  Seating has gone from wooden benches scattered around and partitions to block unused areas to very comfortable chairs pushed together for maximum occupancy.  No partitions are needed; in fact, standing room only is to be expected.

This year, however, found some of the Clan venturing out to another House of Worship.  We visited St. Bart's - St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, that is. We could not have been more enthusiastically and sincerely welcomed.  Even our toddler was treated as an honored guest with her own special bag full of activities.  The Church is the people and the people definitely make this church!  But, I must admit, I might not have noticed if the people hadn't been so warm and friendly because the building and surroundings are so beautiful!

We were extraordinarily blessed to find a House of Worship that suited our little group's needs so well on the first try and without prior recommendation, but Emily hadn't left anything to chance!  She had carefully orchestrated our morning so that no matter what we found in our first church visit, we would have a wonderful experience.  Emily saw to it that we began our morning with cinnamon rolls from the General Store in Glen Haven!  (This picture from a previous visit.)

The Glen Haven Store in 1920!  Check out that car!

And a view of the inside of the General Store.  Notice the loaves of Cinnamon Bread on the shelves in front of the counter; I've decided these loaves of Cinnamon Bread are even better than the famous Cinnamon Rolls.  Heresy, I know!  But, try the loaves sometime.



The Horses of the YMCA

The horses of the Y always play an important part of any visit to the Rockies.  Most recently it's been the ponies (Nibbles, Strawberry, Shortcake --- why, yes!  we're on first name basis) and the gorgeous teams of Belgian horses (Hanz and Franz are among the faves!) that pull the Hay Wagons for a Marshmallow Roast.

We never tire of the marshmallow roasts even though we know the program by heart!  The wranglers are very entertaining while they get the fires and roasting sticks ready.  The sticks used to be willow from the surrounding trees but then we were consuming the resources (Leave No Trace?), so now they are metal, the manufacturing of which pollutes the atmostphere.  It's so, so hard to be eco-friendly!!!  After the hilarity of the wranglers, visiting with the horses and the other roasters, and chasing the little ones away from the fire,

We roast those marshmallows .....

then proceed to get the sticky stuff all over ourselves .....

while proud parents look on.

Fern Falls, July 2010

The DC branch of the Highlander Clan chose Fern Falls as their first "adult" hike of the summer.  It did not disappoint!  The hike begins at Fern Lake Trailhead and is 2.7 miles (one-way) with a 745' gain to an elevation of 8,800'.  The first 1.7 miles, which I blogged about here and here, leads to The Pool.  In place of the gorgeous Fall leaves in those pictures, however, were many bright and colorful flowers.  This picture of The Pool shows the drama of the Fern and Spruce Creeks converging with the Big Thompson River. 

The trail to The Pool is fairly easy, but the remaining mile beyond becomes rocky and steep.  The reward is great, though, as Fern Falls is 60' high and cascades through a forested gorge, over huge boulders and fallen trees.  It is so loud that it's difficult to communicate without shouting, and its rushing water creates a fine mist which refreshes the fortunate hiker.

Dr. William Workman of Denver named Fern Falls, as well as Fern Lake and Fern Creek, for his third wife, not, as one might think, for the many bracken ferns that grow along the lower part of the trail.  An avid fisherman, Dr. Workman built Fern Lodge in 1910-1911 and made the area popular by inviting hundreds of visitors to stay in his lodge and explore RMNP.

Y Games

The Y offers the opportunity to play MANY games in the fresh mountain air.  Of course, we have our favorite - the one we always play.  And the Summer of 2010 was no exception!  Can you guess what it is?

Of course!!! It's Miniature Golf!  We've even been known to conduct tournaments in the name of this lady who enthusiastically shares her expertise.

And we get reeeally excited when we finally get the ball in the hole!

After each hole is played we click our balls together with great ceremony.

The Summer of 2010 brought a New Game too.  Can you tell .....

Can ya tell what it is?  Yep!  Tether Ball!

And, little sis can't wait til she's big enough to play.