Estes Park
The book I read said that this hike is very popular and could be very crowded in the summer months. We were willing to brave the crowds because we have heard that the park is gorgeous and really wanted to see it. The parking lot at the trailhead fills up quickly so we parked in a larger lot and took the shuttle to the Bear Lake trailhead. The book was accurate, it was really crowded.
We were probably .5 miles up the trail and we saw the impending doom coming over the mountain.
We made a great decision because about half an hour later the rain stopped and the sun came out. We practically had the trail all to ourselves. It was so lovely!
Hot man on a rock
We were probably .5 miles up the trail and we saw the impending doom coming over the mountain.
Get your rain coats on!
We decided to head back down to the shelter until it stopped raining. The shelter was packed. The shuttles came and people headed back to their cars but we wanted to wait out the rain because we knew the trails would be less crowded.
We made a great decision because about half an hour later the rain stopped and the sun came out. We practically had the trail all to ourselves. It was so lovely!
Nymph Lake
Cool tree stumps
We climbed up a big rock and had an amazing view
Dream Lake
The book said Dream Lake is one of the most photographed lakes in Colorado.
I'm sure you can see why...
Emerald Lake: 10,080'
The chipmunks are not shy around this place. I was accosted by one, I let out a really girly yelp when it crawled over me. I'm not used to this whole wildlife thing!
When we were hanging at Emerald Lake, we saw more clouds coming over the mountain. We figured it would be best to get back down the mountain so we headed back down the mountain once again.
More impending doom
When we were almost down, it started to rain harder so we started to run and then it started hailing and it got COLD! We didn't have to endure the hail for long before we were in the shelter.
On the shuttle back to the parking lot, we saw an amazing rainbow. I wasn't able to get a good photo of it but it was huge and very clear.
You can barely see the rainbow
We stopped for dinner at Estes Park and I wet my whistle with a nice Moose Drool. Speaking of which, I have not seen any moose yet or any mountain goats either. I am disappointed about this and hope that I will see some good wildlife soon on a hike.
On the drive home to Denver, we saw another rainbow. I think they are signs of good things to come...or just light refracting off the water molecules in the atmosphere. You decide.
Another great hike, I can't get enough of the outdoors here. Matt and I hiked our first 14er this past weekend which I will blog about in the next couple days.
Hope everyone is doing fabulously!
1 comment:
I love Moose Drool...FYI. If you go back, the hike to (or at least the destination of) the Loch is spectacular. I am so glad you are working with us. Too bad you didn't live here before I had the baby. Our hiking is a little limited for now.
Post a Comment