Spring 2011 - Snow

If Fall is our favorite time to visit the Y, Estes Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), then late Spring is certainly the most relaxing time to visit.  There isn't the anxiety that we won't see any, alright many gorgeous elk or find the most amazing golden Aspen trees.  Instead, we just enjoy what's there - often lots of snow still in the Park (RMNP) and signs of Spring all around.  It's still cool, of course (a big plus!) and there are fewer visitors in the Spring, making any kind of waiting line nonexistent. This May/June visit did not disappoint!


The snow was exceptional since RMNP had a record snowfall this year.


Sprague Lake

Bear Lake  
Our First Attempt - We decided to come back later in the week when there might be less snow & ice.

The silver lining to this decision is that for the first time in about 30 years I noticed there were actually beautiful views from the Bear Lake parking lot! I guess I thought the views began only upon entrance to Bear Lake (:  This is only one of many photos I took from the parking lot.

We returned later in the week armed with hiking poles (Jim) and crampons (me).

Jim graciously poses with his hiking pole in a hole to show us how deep the snow is.

Emily called from Washington DC!

Good thing we didn't need to use the facilities!

Many, Many Firsts!!! September 2010

FALL is our favorite time to visit the Y, Estes Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park.  The weather is cool, even requiring jackets at times.  Snow often visits just to give a hint of things to come.  The Aspen trees and many other plants are a glorious golden with orange and red thrown in.  The crowds have dwindled from the summer, especially on week days.  And the animals come out, seeming to say, "Whoo!  Now there's room for us!"  The elk bulls take advantage, gathering their harems and warding off attempts by younger bulls to "borrow" some of their ladies.


FALL 2010 was no exception.  The weather was gorgeous; it snowed. We hiked a "new for us" hike, designed just to see the beautiful golden trees. We saw more animals than ever, closer than ever, and even some we'd never seen!  And, with Jim's patience, I took many, many great pictures, even deleting some at night to be sure I didn't run out of memory.  Alas, I lost my camera the last day of our trip.


BUT I'd like to share our trip with you anyway; it was our best FALL trip ever!


We hit the trail, Bear Lake that is, early Friday morning.  Rather than going all the way around Bear Lake, we followed the Flattop Mountain Trail for a while.  Beautiful view from up there and Gorgeous Golden Aspen.  As we returned to Bear Lake to continue the loop, we met several people who told us, "Too Bad you missed the MOOSE in Bear Lake!"  To our surprise, though, we met the moose on the trail.  We really couldn't continue our journey until he decided to wander off the path, so I got to take lots of pictures.  This was the first moose either of us had ever seen - and on our first morning!  Just a hint of what was to come!  After such excitement, we went on to Hollowell Park to explore the beaver dams I had discovered earlier in the summer.  The beaver were sleeping, of course, but I got to inspect the dams up close and personal.  Next stop, after  returning to Highlander for lunch, was Sheep Lake. And, guess what we saw!  Yes, BIG HORN SHEEP!  Not really the first time we've ever seen them, but every time seems like the first because we spent so, so many fruitless hours for so, so many years watching for the Big Horn Sheep to come down from the mountains.  The rest of the day was filled with wonderful sitings of many ELK!  I really enjoy watching the bull react when one of his harem wanders away from the group or when another bull approaches.  The most amazing siting came as we returned to the Y.  Three large, beautiful Elk Bulls were lounging on the Hempel Family Program Building lawn and around the corner a bull was standing guard as his harem of nine frolicked on the Craft Shop's play ground!  He was one. nervous. bull!


Saturday morning yielded another early start.  I loved it!  We got to do the Downhill Hike I'd heard and read so much about.  It was awesome!!!  I loved every minute of this hike!  We parked our car at the Park & Ride, took the shuttle to Bear Lake, hiked to the very picturesque Bierstadt Lake for lunch, then to Mills Creek Basin for the glorious golden aspens - not that there was any lack of glorious golden aspens all along the way!  And, finally to Hollowell Park to catch the shuttle back to the Park & Ride for our car.  Returning to Highlander, we were greeted at our back door by a bull elk and his harem of about six.  I watched and photographed a long time as they slowly moved down the mountain, probably going back to play again on the Craft Shop's wonderful new playground.  After a brief respite we left for an early dinner at Bald Pate Inn never expecting more excitement.  But, excitement is what we found as we exited the Y!  Right there, in the middle of Dorsey Lake were two elk bulls sparring on an island created by the low water level!  We slowed and watched a few minutes, but my fear of seeing one of the beautiful bulls getting injured - and our reservations - allowed only a few photographs.  After dinner it was off to see the BEAVERS on Fish Creek Road.  Another first!  I've looked and looked for beavers over the many years we've visited RMNP but to no avail.  It was so much fun to see the beavers come from their houses under the dam.  They seemed to come one by one.  Soon there were several swimming, swimming, getting out of the water, and then going back in. Unfortunately, since the beavers do not come out until just before sunset, there is a relatively short viewing time.  But, that makes it all the more fun to go back again and again!


Sunday's start was not so early or ambitious!  Upper Beaver Meadows provided wonderful scenery for a picnic and several trails to explore.  And, a trip to the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center was definitely necessary!  It was time to replace our Trail Ridge Road cassette tape with a CD! Especially since our 10 year old car doesn't even have a tape player!  Our return to the Y yielded another nice surprise!  Lounging on that island in Dorsey Lake was the older of the bulls that we had seen sparring the day before.  (I had been concerned he might not do well in the battle.)  He lounged while I took many, many really good photos!  Love, love, love it when my subject will sit still for me to shoot again and again.


We took our time Monday morning, stopping in town to take some pictures and driving on to Glen Haven for those cinnamon rolls since our plane didn't leave Denver until the afternoon.  Glen Haven - that's where I lost my camera!  Haven't been back since!!!  I was devastated at first but now am just thankful that I remember the trip even without the pictures! It'll be a challenge to me to capture comparable photos in the future..... and, to not lose my camera again!

Alluvial Fan July 2010

Remember the post about Matt's family sneaking away?  If not, click here to discover the attraction.  Well, some of the rest of Highlander's Clan decided to experience The Alluvial Fan for ourselves.

The overwhelming expanse of huge boulders which were forced down the mountian by the rush of 29 million gallons of water in July 1982 makes the Alluvial Fan a natural place for contemplation.

Charlie, however, had enough of all that contemplation, so he climbed .....

and climbed, up and down and all over those huge boulders!

When he tired of the boulders on land, he took to tackling those in the water!

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.