Had been flying high for several weeks, marathon training right on track, successfully finished my 1st 10 mile race Saturday past, then BAM – unexpectedly hit by the blues. Not 100% sure why…maybe one too many ‘All by Myself’ Valentines, maybe too much running (body needs a break), maybe nutrition/diet issues (have dropped too many pounds lately) – either way….
After almost a week of struggling with the February blues, couldn’t have been more excited to see my Colorado hiking friends – for a moonlight hike to Gem Lake in Rocky Mountain Nat’l Park. FAAANNNNTASTIC!
In addition to John, Annmarie & myself, we added Lisa, Paul & Terri to our Gem Lake group – making our team tally 6! Who wouldn’t want to snowshoe at night in February? HA!
Fortunately/unfortunately our biggest snow storm of the season didn’t start until after 8pm, so only microspikes (or crampons) were needed for tonite’s moonlight hike – left our snowshoes behind. Gem Lake is only a 1.7 mile hike (one-way) so tonite was all about the journey – and enjoying laughs with friends.
Snapped a few group pics showcasing our snowy Rocky Mountain view – WOW shots! ALSO snapped a shot of twinkling Estes Park down below – very Christmas card-esque. In addition to crampons, snowshoes & poles, packed a head lamp which I found wasn’t needed because of moonlight reflecting off the white snow. Such a BEAUTIFUL nite!
Our full moon dashed in and out of impending snow clouds until we reached Gem Lake, hemmed in by rock & frozen for the season. While Annmarie & I made ice angels on the lake, John unpacked a Bunsen Burner and fired up some s’mores. Seriously, my Colorado circle o’ friends ROCK!
Snow started blowing on our hike return but that didn’t deter us from stopping at the Stanley for some apps & light dinner (portabello fries were amaaazzzzing). Let the East Coast wait ‘til summer, every month is s’more season in Colorado 🙂
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- group moonlight hike
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- LOVE LOVE my Rocky Mountain view!
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- full moon (in and out of impending snow clouds)
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- Estes Park twinkling below
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- making ice angels while John fired up s’mores
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- hot chocolate & s’mores – ROCKSTAR circle o’ friends!
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- Paul Bunyan’s boot (we called this Holy Rock)
Happy Groundhog Day 2013!
Depending on which varmint you follow, winter is either coming or going. Punxsutawney Phil saw no shadow this year (early Spring) but our local marmot, Flatiron Freddy saw his shadow (which means 6 more weeks of winter). That said, Farmer’s Almanac (sadly) has been bang-on this year – go Ben Franklin!
…winter will return with a vengeance for many East Coast states. But states west of the Continental Divide will see mild temperatures and below average precipitation.
Editor Peter Geiger writes: It will be a ‘winter of contraries’. It’s like Old Man Winter is cutting the country in half. The eastern half of the country will see plenty of cold and snow. The western half will experience relatively warm and dry condition. As in the political arena, the climate this winter will render us a nation divided.
How best to celebrate Groundhog Day than x-country skiing in Rocky Mountain Nat’l Park! FAAAANNNNTASTIC!
Met up with Annmarie, John & their meet-up friend Chip at the Stone Cup in Lyons – for breakfast before our ski day. Picked up rental skis in Estes for only $12 (thanks Annmarie for bargain shipping!), then trekked to Wild Basin Trailhead in Allenspark.
Argh…not much snow – but kept positive thoughts [that] conditions would improve as we climbed higher. Sunny weather, temps in the 30’s – BEAUTIFUL day! AND lucky for us, Chip was a skilled x-country skier – and navigated our way. Hiked a half mile to the trailhead (road closed this time of year) and SUCCESS – just enough snow…which only got deeper as we increased elevation 🙂
At the trailhead, met a guy who works at McMurdo station in Antarctica. WOW – what a dream job! Antarctica has been a bucket list destination since I was eight (4.21.2012 post: still on my adventure ‘wish list’). Someday…but today – lovin’ my life in Colorado! CLICK HERE for McMurdo Station Webcam.
Passed the (closed) warming hut (no hot chocolate for us 🙁 ), then ahead 2 more miles thru towering lodgepole pines. X-country skiing is in my blood – LOVE this sport! Our $12 skis were slightly wider than those rented at Eldora AND had metal edges – talk about a ROCKSTAR bargain. Edges make all the difference in controlling turns & allowing ya to skate ski (vs classic x-country).
3 miles in, saw a sign for Ouzel Falls – only 0.9 miles away. But because it was 1pm, made a group decision – turn-back here or forge ahead. Ouzel Falls, YES! Think all 4 of us are like-minded & addicted to Colorado summit destinations.
OF COURSE this last 0.9 miles was the best of the entire day – isn’t that the way it always is? Snow deepened (whole lot more powder), trail opened to several amazing views and our destination Ouzel Falls was SOLID ICE – WOW! Spectacular!
Raced back in under 2 hours as my body started to fatigue. Had run 10 miles BEFORE x-country skiing 10 miles (true marathon training). Refueled at Smokin’ Dave’s before picking up Ro from his play-date. What a crazy FUN day!
Ro play-date (short clip w/ baby Clara)
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- Chip, Annmarie & John – ROCKSTAR ski pals!
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- for the record – Annmarie was the first down…LOL!
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- met snowshoer who works at McMurdo station – SUPER JEALOUS! (bucket list destination)
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- typical — Annmarie leading the boys!
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- proof that John can smile
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- …and make snow angels
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- frozen Ouzel Falls – WOW shot!
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- ski hike SUCCESS!
Group hike with Annmarie & John – couldn’t think of a better way to bang out hike #45 of 2012 (yes, only 7 to go!).
Annmarie single-handedly selected today’s hike, planned our group meetup, added Amy & Dave to the day’s tally, AND drove one of 2 SUVs needed to track up RMNP. Thanks, thanks, thanks!
And as if I wasn’t excited enough, Annmarie sent out the weekend weather forecast Thursday prior – snow, heavy snow, and snow. FAAAANNNTASTIC! AND – on a fee FREE National Parks day. Hooray! ‘Cause ya’ll know: ‘free is for me!’
Arrived early at the Park but initially felt a bit duped – where was the snow? A light dusting, sure, but no feet of snow. The closer to Glacier Gorge trailhead however, temps dropped, resulting in heavier snow precip. Parked, layered up, posed for group pics – then onward TEAM. (No problem with capacity parking in snowy November :))
And because Ro was hanging back at Camp Bow Wow (no dogs allowed @ RMNP), I was able to use my poles. YES! Last week a headlamp, this week poles – all about the accessories. LOL>
Great conversations, lotta laughs and a heavy snowfall hike – LOVE this place, LOVE this day, LOVE these people! AND we picked up another hiker midway, Henry from the UK (Manchester – Go United!).
The snow slowed our pace but managed a short break at The Loch. The lake was almost completely frozen. Snow coated my eyebrows and Annmarie’s ‘Heidi’ braids. AWESOME day hike!
Folks wanted to head back just before we reached Glass Lake (still managed 8.57 miles roundtrip, so no slouching). Thankfully, John was our voice of reason: ‘We came as a group, we leave as a group’.
This day the ‘journey’ ROCKED, no worries about reaching a target destination.
Ended the day with burgers at Smokin’ Dave’s in Lyons.
Top 10 best hike of 2012! Annmarie & John – ROCKSTAR hiking BFFs!
The Loch/RMNP (heavy snowfall clip)
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- parked, layering up, ready for adventure!
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- trailhead group pic, check
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- new hiking buddies
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- Alberta Falls – AMAZING!
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- …and the snow begins
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- even a Yankees cap couldn’t save Annmarie’s ‘Heidi’ braids
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- The Loch
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- another hiking group joined our water/snack break, sheltered from the elements
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- near white-out conditions – FAAANNNTASTIC!
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- first snow angel of the season (no, you’re never too old)
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- turning back and grabbing burgers at Smokin’ Dave’s
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- AWESOME DAY HIKE!
