Stopped over at the
Beaver Meadows Visitor Center early to drop off some postcards and
ask a handful of questions about some of my future hike ideas. Then
I dropped my car off at the cabin, walked over to the Moraine Park
Discover Center, hopped on the shuttle bus, and rode out to Bear Lake
(there's a transfer at the park and ride). From Bear Lake I hiked to
Lake Helene with an elevation gain of 1,215 feet. One the way I
watched the pika running around on the boulder fields. While looking
at the snowfield at Lake Helene a badger lumbered by. From here I
hiked to Odessa Lake, which has fantastic views of Notchtop, Knob,
and Little Matterhorn. Just as I came up to the switchbacks down to
Odessa, the first of several thunderstorms rolled over the mountain
tops. Next was Fern Lake, where it was really raining, with plenty
of lightening and thunder. I was happy to be down from the trail
along the gorge, which is very exposed. Along that gorge I saw more
pika and some towee (at least that's what I was told the little
blue-gray birds are). Just past Fern Lake there was a dispersed
group of what I think were grouse. Next was a very long chunk of the
day's hike, over to Fern Falls, on down to the Pool, and then the
rest of the hike out following along Big Thompson River. On the last
stretch I saw a doe and two fawns, then a little later an elk. All
together, counting the distance to and from the shuttle stops, I
think I hiked a little over 9.5 miles today. My feet feel it. Might
have to soak them tonight so I'm ready for tomorrow's endeavor:
following the Ute Trail from near the Alpine Visitor Center down to
Milner Pass. Fingers crossed the weather doesn't foul this plan.
For now, I'm going
to drive over to where I have internet so I can post these photos,
then I'm going to go home and eat second dinner. I'm famished!
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| Last night's sunset |
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| This morning's sunrise |
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| Longs Peak with its own weather system |
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| Just a bit after sunrise, across from my cabin |
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| A small unnamed lake |
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| On the hike up to Lake Helene |
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| Mallards on Lake Helene |
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| Saw this guy by the snowfield. Badger, I think. |
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| Lake Helene |
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| Notchtop |
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| Odessa Lake |
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| Looking back on Notchtop |
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Heard the pika in every boulder field,
finally caught one on film |
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| Another pika |
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I was told this is a Towee, but that doesn't look right
to me. Does anyone know? |
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Along the trail between Helene and Odessa
There were a couple lovely falls on this side of
Notchtop. I think one is Grace Falls. Too distant
for good photos. |
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| During thunderstorm #1 |
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Odessa Lake with Notchtop and
Little Matterhorn |
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| Odessa Lake, Notchtop and Little Matterhorn |
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| Fern Creek leaving Odessa Lake |
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| Approach to Fern Lake |
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| Fern Lake |
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| Fern Lake |
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| Fern Lake |
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| Fern Lake. |
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While hiking from Fern Lake, a covey of grouse
crossed in front of me. They couldn't quite decide
whether to be skittish or not. |
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Running grouse! Not a good image, but I like it for some
reason. They didn't make it easy to get clear photos. |
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| Fern Falls |
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| Fire evidence, I'm guessing from the Fern Lake Fire |
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| Fern Creek |
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| The Pool (Big Thompson River) |
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| Other direction along Big Thompson |
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| Big Thompson River |
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Two extremely large boulders to walk
between. Wondering if these fell as a
result of the floods last fall. |
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Flood damage. The trail is covered in sandy sediment,
trees partly buried. Fields of debris all around. |
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| This section of the trail is rather lush. |
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Came across a doe and two fawns, one was rather relaxed,
the other couldn't figure out whether to eat or run, so
instead jumped in place and back and forth. |
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| Yes, I see you |
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The road between the Fern Lake Trailhead and the
shuttle bus stop |
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| Some flowers along the walk out. |
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| Elk inside the fence that is meant to keep them out. |
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| Walking back up to my cabin |
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Got up to watch the next storm rolling in, and heard
something outside. Went to look: elk in my yard!
And a traffic jam. |
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| The herd...do we cross the road yet? |
