RMNP

hike #78: Chasm Lake, RMNP

Published November 9, 2014

What to do in between marathon weekends? High altitude hiking – of course 🙂

Bounced back quicker than normal from Saturday’s Indy marathon, so packed in training runs Tuesday, Thursday & Friday. Felt good physically but still needed a mental boost before Vegas. Nothing fixes my head, like a hike in our high peaks.

Woke sluggish on Saturday so switched ‘hike day’ to Sunday – opting for one last long run before Vegas, a 20 miler.

Sunday – no more excuses. Up and on the road – hike destination: Chasm Lake, just past Allenspark in RMNP (Longs Peak trailhead). Over 2,000ft in vertical gain – can’t think of better cross-training for marathoning 🙂

Hit the trail & hiked at a quick clip while in treeline (first 2.3 miles). Later start than normal (8am) but no fear of afternoon lightning this day – woes of summer hiking in Colorado, not so much in November.

As topography migrated from lodge pole pine to willow shrub to tundra, wind noticeably picked up. A polar front from Alaska would be blowing in tomorrow afternoon – strong 30mph headwinds preceded the cold, gusts > 50mph.

Hiking across tundra & boulder fields, took it all in stride. Big smile on my face enjoying the day’s challenge.

Just past the Longs Peak intersect, terrain changed from tundra to rock. Welcomed windbreak provided by the mountain’s rock face, then an unexpected gust – literally knocking me down (hiking almost a 1,000ft above treeline now).

Started anticipating upcoming gusts: crouching low, holding tight to boulders during the irregular yet intermittent blasts.

COLD but WOW, what a head fix. EXACTLY what this marathoner needed – thin air & being small in my high mountain surroundings. Helps to re-center & put things in perspective.

Sun shining, watched snow funnel off Longs in the wind – visually dancing, wisping vapor.

2 short runs next week, Grand Canyon heli tour on Saturday, then marathon #15 down the Strip in Vegas Sunday night.

Life is good, really really good.

: Longs Peak trailhead

: beautiful horizon — lovin’ those blues

: tundra hike above treeline

: frosty alpine lake

: wispy snow vapor – WOW!

Lake Haiyaha snowshoe trek

Published March 30, 2014

After a few days of temps in the 60’s, how best to celebrate the end of March? How ‘bout an 8 hour snowshoe trek in Rocky Mountain National Park? LOL>

Purchased a Groupon a few months back, intending to snowshoe in early February. Little did I know this package was so popular, their first opening was March 30^th.

My friend M & I met up with 2 Apex Ex guides & 8 other shoers at Beaver Meadows Visitors Center in RMNP. 20 minute drive to Glacier Gorge Trailhead, shoes & poles doled out – and we were on our way.

Aside from the spectacular winter landscape, what I liked most? Backcountry hiking. In winter you’re no longer restricted to trails in the park as you are in summer months – because trails are covered by 8-12 feet of snow 🙂

Stopped for a photo opp at Dream Lake, nestled under towering Hallett Peak – then fondue at Lake Haiyaha.

Cheese fondue & apples after snowshoeing in the Rockies. Bucket list ‘must do’ — seriously. FAAAANNNNTASTIC!

FULL Colorado weekend. 10 mile pre-dawn run on Saturday, hiked 8,100ft Green Mountain in Boulder, then shoed 5 miles in the snow-blanketed Rockies on Sunday.

Lovin’ life. Trading with no one – crazy happy with the hand I’ve been dealt.

: 5 mile snowshoe hike in RMNP

: stunning Hallett Peak

: check out that backdrop — snow blowing off the high peaks above Dream Lake…W-O-W!

: We’re here!

: cheese fondue & apples at 10,220ft

: fondue & snowshoeing in the Rockies — SPECTACULAR!

hike #61: Andrews Glacier (RMNP)

Published August 25, 2013

Purchased an annual Park pass again this year – but all the talk about FREE day inspired me to drive up to Estes & hike another trail in RMNP (2 years in Colorado but still so many trails to choose from – LOVE it!).

The 13 Fee Free Days in 2013 include Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 21), National Park Week (April 22 – 26), Founders Day (August 25), National Public Lands Day (September 28), and Veterans Day Weekend (Nov. 9-11).

Picked out today’s hike while on the Park N Ride bus provided by RMNP (parking within the Park is crazy crowded through Labor Day – so why not enjoy a free ride to the trailhead?)

Wait, REWIND — 2 days prior, rented a fun Australian film titled Mental. In the opening scene, a mom of five daughters is in her backyard pulling laundry, goes mental, spinning in the backyard singing ‘The Hills are Alive’ from The Sound of Music.

Then on Saturday I hear ‘Climb Every Mountain’ – again, from The Sound of Music. What are the chances?

So when I see a 9.3 mile hike in the Park named (Julie) Andrews Glacier, hmmm…kismet. [Ok, the glacier was not named for Julie Andrews but she was commencement speaker this year at CU – coincidence, I think not. :)]

FAST FORWARD to today’s hike. Hopped off [the bus] at Glacier Gorge trailhead & made a quick stop .8 miles in — at Alberta Falls. I’ve been here before but wow – when the water is sudden/rushing/alive, it’s just breathtaking.

Few more miles within treeline, a 2^nd hike stop at The Loch. Loch Vale Lake was an end destination during last year’s hike challenge — but that was November and in the midst of a white-out. This day, stopped and smelled the roses, er…pine.

The trail then snaked noticeably UP over boulders to The Gash & Sharktooth, jugged sawtooth peaks saddled with deposits of glacier snow. Followed a happy Colorado hiking couple (Johnstown & Denver) up the final push to Andrews Tarn & Glacier.

WOW, WOW, WOW!

I have not lost my sense of awe in 20 months of hiking. It’s here, here in the mountains where I feel close to God.

Did a Julie Andrews spin for pics – but unfortunately looked more like Wonder Woman so you won’t find any attached. LOL>

Wait wait, a tarn?

A tarn is a mountain lake or pool, formed in a cirque excavated by a glacier. It is formed when either rain or river water fills the cirque. In Scandinavian languages a tjärn is a small natural lake, often in a forest or with vegetation close around it or growing into the lake.

Waded to my shins in the glacier fed tarn – really really cold water. First numbing then my feet cramped from the intense cold. Life’s meant to be lived. How many dudes get to wade in a glacial pond at 11,400ft? WOW, what a crazy happy life!