MyCOLORADOLife.net

alpine hikes & holiday lights (Estes Park)

Published November 20, 2016

5 weekends of running, time for a hike – maybe even 2 hikes. After Thursday’s ‘first snow’, nothing but mountains & snow camping on the brain. Temps plummeted to the 20’s…so settled on glamping & 2 RMNP alpine hikes (making the most of my 2016 Parks pass).

Woke to sunshine Saturday. Beaver Meadows Entrance, quick left to Bear Lake. 20 minute ride, trailhead-parked at Glacier Gorge (last pull-off before Bear). Winds blew, BIG smile. Initial hike goal: 5 Lakes (Loch Vale, Haiyaha, Dream, Nymph & Bear)

Just under a mile to Alberta Falls, another 2+ to Loch Vale. Most tourists can make the Falls hike; super thankful for winter & open trails. Forgot how beautiful Alberta Falls can be…even frozen solid. Tested the ice; crampon spikes a good gauge for weakness. Must’ve flash-froze over the past couple days, thin ice covered in snow. Snapped a pic, hiked on.

Last trekked Loch Vale 4 years ago, mid-November. That day, hiked in heavy snow – white-out conditions limited our group’s day goal. Winter precip accumulated 3” inches an hour, awesome memory making snow angels. hike LOVE.

Today’s path vacillated between ice (sunshine melt/refreeze) & shin-deep snow (tree cover shade). Both lodgepole & Ponderosa [pine] lined the Park’s well-maintained trail system. Crazy beautiful, sunshine & solitude.

Left to Mills, right to Haiyaha, Loch Vale straight ahead. Tested out trail conditions to Haiyaha…deep snow, no visible trek tenth-mile out. Not happening today. Turned back, Loch Vale < half-mile away. Pushed thru a grove of trees, saw the Loch. Frozen alpine lake blocked in by the some of the Park’s highest peaks. Outdoor WOW moment. Opened armed, let the cold wind blow, envelope me.

Snow whipped off the rock heights above. Crampons scratched the Loch’s surface but no cracks. Breezy, strong numbing wind. Footsteps crunched over the thick ice. No words. Just WOW! Wind-retreated after 15 minutes. Sheltered behind two boulders, downed half a turkey wrap. Only one Lake today…but absolutely no regrets.

Sunset. Headed into Estes Park for a pricey dinner & the city’s tree lighting ceremony. ‘Cowboy Brad’ welcomed visitors with a mix of John Denver & Colorado Christmas carols. No better way to usher in the season. FUN night!

Home? Heck no. Not before a Sunday a.m. hike — only 3 miles roundtrip. Felt small under tall lodgepole pine, switch-backed UP 1,000ft, followed signs for ‘Trail Around Lake’, dropped off trail to snap shots of slushy Bierstadt Lake.

BEST vacation from a vacation – I choose mountain hike over Disney World every time 🙂

: Glacier Gorge Trailhead

: [frozen] Alberta Falls

: conditions vacillated between icy trail & shin-deep snow

: Welcome to the Loch!

: footsteps crunched the Loch’s icy surface — WOW, no words.

: Tree Lighting Ceremony 2016

: Day 2 hike

: towering lodgepole pine

: switch backed UP 1,000ft

: I choose mountain hike over Disney World every time 🙂

alpine hikes & holiday lights (Estes Park CO)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFPtcdnD0sM

Posted in RMNP | Tagged hiking, holidays, rivers-lakes, waterfalls | Leave a comment

the wait is over, first SNOW

Published November 17, 2016

first snowfall of the season – AWESOME morning!

Published October 4, 2013

First day of SNOW! (and so early this year too 🙂 BONUS!)

Sure I’ve cheated & already seen snow in the mountains but first SNOW on my front porch — now that’s something special. Like being 9 years old again. Seriously dude, who doesn’t love first SNOW? Woo-hoo!

Summer’s finally over! Break out the poles & gloves!

First SNOW [came] crazy late this year – certainly not Oct 4^th – but I’m just as excited. Talk at work, SNOW…the radio, SNOW…water-cooler buzz diverted from Trump to mountain ski conditions. Seems EVERYONE in Colorado was ready for today’s winter dusting.

Done marathoning ‘til December. Weekend plans? Snow camping – it’s what all the cool kids are doing 🙂

: the latest Boulder has ever recorded measurable snowfall (previous latest snowfall, November 15th)

‘I still get super excited’: Boulder sees first snow of the season
By Mitchell Byars
Staff Writer

POSTED: 11/17/2016 06:24:05 AM MST |

The wait is over.

Snow fell in Boulder this morning for the first time this season after a drastic drop in temperatures over the past 24 hours. The snow began to fall across most of Boulder by 11 a.m. Local meteorologist Matt Kelsch said that the window for snow would likely end by tonight.

“The storm is very strong but also somewhat fast moving,” Kelsch said.

Robert Koopmeiners, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Boulder, reported 3 inches of snow in Boulder and most other spots of Boulder County as of 6 p.m.

It was the latest Boulder has ever recorded measurable snowfall. The previous latest snowfall was Nov. 15, which happened in 1987, 1988 and 2005.

The snow comes one day after Boulder saw a high of 80, the hottest November day ever for the city, eclipsing the previous record of 79 set on Nov. 4, 1952.

…the longer-than-normal wait for snow was a little unnerving.

“Normally you see something by Halloween. I think everybody was happy it finally snowed.”

Things should begin to warm up again over the weekend. Friday’s forecast calls for sunny skies with a high of 39 and an overnight low of 19.

Posted in Life | Tagged weather | Leave a comment

Disney magic

Published November 14, 2016

Each of the kids were introduced to Disney early in life, all were still in diapers. It’s one commonality they share.

25 years later, 2 of 3 still feel that magic. The force is strong with these two 🙂

Since finding my ‘forever home’ in Colorado, I often struggle with our distance & actively maintaining relationships. Dave’s a moderate-to highly operating autistic…has been since age 3. Now 21, he’s Level 2 on the spectrum: “requiring substantial support”. David has the truest heart of the 3, the kindest soul…but he will always need care. Physically strong, mentally adept – but trapped in a mind which misfires social signals. Always been Disney-motivated, super strong bond to his Mom. Plan B? My guest room in Colorado is adorned with Peter Pan memorabilia. Dave will always have a home.

Took advantage of an open-ended offer to join David & family sometime during their 3-week Disney adventure. Purchased airfare & a Park Pass, bed-shared at the family’s timeshare. Although not a fan of crowds…I do love my family. PLUS, crazy fun to see Dave & Michaela in their element/favourite place on Earth/where they feel most comfortable.

Quick shower after my Saturday morning marathon, shared two half-days at MGM Studios…sandwiched ‘round a full day at Magic Kingdom. Park rides, Disney princesses galore…and a whole lotta shows. FAAANNNTASTIC magical time!