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