The Dam Would Break

It was a warm weekend in Denver. We actually had temperatures in the 80's. I made my first trip to Coors Field this weekend. The Braves were in town. I went to Friday night's game. I met my friend Devon at his place. He let me borrow a bike, and we rode to the game on bikes. Beats trying to park there. Coors Field is pretty nice. I liked it better than Turner Field. The game was good; the Braves won 9-7. I fear Wickman may be catching the Braves Closer disease. It felt a little odd being there, I'm use to cheering for the home team. Quite a few Braves fans there though.

Didn't really do much in the way of hiking this weekend. Hard to top last weekend. Didn't even try. I went for walk today along Bear Creek, which runs behind my apartment. This spring thaw is on. The creek was the highest I've seen it. Parts of some trails were flooded.

This is one of my favorites spots along Bear Creek. There use to be a Beaver dam here. Gone.



For a similar view taken in winter click here.

As for the NFL draft on Saturday, I am not going to write down my thoughts on the Miami Dolphins taking an injured punt returner with the number 9 pick overall. I'm too happy living out here.

Next weekends post will be a little late, I have company coming to town. I plan to take a couple of days off to go into the mountains with them. Hopefully I'll have some cool pics. Til then, Take Care,

-M

Walk On

Since my last post, I have enjoyed a nice hike at Meyer Ranch Park, a Rapids' soccer game at their brand new stadium, a nice drive in the mountains, and a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. For this post I will write about the Rocky Mountain National Park trip. For the other adventures, check out my pictures on Mike's Photos on Picasa. There are also additional photos of the Rocky Mountain National Park trip. They are under the April 2007 set.

Sunday, I decided to check out the Trailhead for Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park. I wanted to see what was there. I hadn't been before. I didn't really have a plan, but I brought gear to go hiking. I got there a little after noon. The weather was sunny, but there were clouds in the area. It was short sleeve weather, for me anyway. I decided I would go up the trail. I wasn't sure how far I would go since I was getting a late start and was not sure what the trail conditions would be like. The elevation at the trailhead is around 9,400 ft. Anyway; I started hiking and felt good. I was hiking on snow, but it was hard and not icy. Off the trail, some the drifts looked like they were waist deep at least. With the trail conditions good and with myself feeling good, I decided I would shoot for tree line and make another decision there.

Here is my view as I approach tree line. That's Longs Peak (14,255 ft.) in the middle.

I made tree line with no problems. I still felt good, so I decided to keep going. My next goal was the trail junction for Chasm Lake at the base of Mt. Lady Washington. Along the way the clouds rolled in obscuring my view of Longs Peak.

This is my last view of Longs Peak as the clouds surround it.

I made it to the trail junction in good shape. I was starting to feel the altitude, but overall I was good. The view was fantastic despite not being able to see Longs Peak anymore.

Looking down on Peacock Pool and Columbine Falls. Both frozen.

Here again, I was faced with decision of whether I should keep going. I have the option of going 0.7 miles to Chasm Lake or 4 miles to Longs Peak. Well obviously it is the wrong time of the season and too late in the day for hiker like myself to attempt Longs Peak. (Most people start before daylight during the late summer when attempting Longs Peak.) So it was either Chasm Lake or go back. I could see most of the trail, it contoured the side of a mountain most of the way there. It looked like there was a short up at the end. So I walked on. I was starting tire a little bit, but I had a finally destination to reach. I got to see some sheep along the way. They were too far away and blended in with the rocks to get a good picture. The last uphill was probably only 0.1 mile, but it was tough. I was getting tired and the altitude was getting to me. There was also a little bit of sleet coming down. I made it though. According to the map, my elevation was just below 12,000 ft.

That's me standing on Chasm Lake. The base of Longs Peak is behind me.





Now all I had to do was get back to my car. On the way back, the sheep crossed the trail in front of me. I was able to get a decent picture this time.

Sheep checking me out as I take their picture.














I made it back to the car at 5:45 PM. There was the occasional snow flurry in the air at the trailhead. It had cooled off a bit since noon. Anyway the round trip was 8.4 miles. Not a bad afternoon hike for old man like myself.

Walk On,

-M

Watch More TV

Old Man Winter woke up after taking March off. It appears that most places east of the Rockies was a little a chilly. It has been freezing rain and light snow most of the weekend at my place. Nothing major, just unpleasant weather. I've been spoiled by the great weather we had in March. So this was one of those TV weekends. Sorry, I didn't take a picture of the TV.

The Colorado Rapids opened up the MLS season Saturday with 2-1 victory over D.C. United. They looked good doing it. The new soccer stadium was sold out, although there were a few fans dressed as empty seats. Below freezing temperatures scared some people off. If it hadn't been sold out, I would have gone:-) Actually, I am looking forward to seeing the new stadium, just not in freezing temperatures. The MLS is a lot more entertaining when you have a team to root for. Go Rapids!!!

It appears I am bad luck on NHL hockey teams. While I was living in Atlanta, the Thrashers could never make the playoffs. They made the playoffs now that I'm gone. The Avalanche had made the playoffs every year since they have been in Colorado. They didn't make it this year. No wonder I haven't become a hockey fan.

The Braves are off to a good start. They swept the Phillies and took 2 of 3 from the Mets. The Jones Boys haven't started hitting yet either. I've tried watching the Rockies a few times. I don't know the players, and there doesn't seem to be much enthusiasm for them.

Anyway I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter and remember to enjoy discount Chocolate Week responsibly.

-M

Foolin'

Another wonderful weekend to be foolin' around in Colorado. On Sunday, I went for a hike at White Ranch Park. It is another one of those Jefferson County Open Space Parks. Lots of trails at this park, and there were not too many people out. This surprised me because it was a nice day. There were clouds and it could be windy in some places, but temperate was pleasant. The terrain was not all the tough on the section of trail that I hiked. There were lots of pretty meadows and stuff. Anyway, here are some pictures.
That's me on the right. I didn't notice the animal in the background when I was setting up the shot.

One of the few small patches of snow in White Ranch Park.

I had the pleasure of eating some home cooking Saturday evening thanks to my friends Mark & Kathy. They even sent leftovers home with me, which are all gone. My stomach is very happy. No fooling!!!

Hey Carter, how was Martinsville? I hope you had a good time. I'm sad I missed it.

later,

-M