Day Two with my Flatlander guests included a drive through Colorado’s most famous natural treasure – Rocky Mountain National Park.
Have previously visited RMNP a few times BR (before Ro) but only [driven] from Estes Park, ending my journey at the Alpine Center (RMNP top). But since our day began in Glenwood Springs, had the opportunity to enter the park from the West via Grand Lake. Trail Ridge Road is only open to cars from Memorial Day to Labour Day so this was a treat!
Stopped at Milner Pass and provided a brief (USA) geography lesson to my friends. East of the Continental Divide, rivers flow toward the Atlantic; west of the Divide, toward the Pacific. Two of my friends had never been West in their lives – ROCKSTAR geography lesson!
National parks = wildlife sightings
Today’s roadside – stop your car NOW – visitor was a HUGE adult elk with an equally massive rack. Ro would have gone crazy – could be why they don’t allow dogs in the park 🙁
Up to the Alpine Center for lunch and snow pics. Unfortunately, this Colorado day was abnormally warm – more than 60 degrees (but still 30+ degrees cooler than the park entrance). Only snow remaining was Glacier snow – but still counts. For the record: I promised snow & I came through 🙂 Looked back at last July’s (2011) pics. Lot more snow, wearing a jacket and even sported a beard. Hmmm…
Here’s hoping we cycle back to MAJOR snow this winter. Fingers crossed!
https://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm
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- taught Flatlanders about USA river flow
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- Milner Pass
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- HUGE rack on this elk!
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- only Glacier snow on a warm Colorado day
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- same shot from July 2011 (more snow & I’m wearing a jacket)
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- sporting a ‘wilderness look’ last year too
Ro’s first 14er!
First off — apologies to all my Flatlander visitors; I now get it. I felt burning in my lungs this hike, and even a little shortness of breath.
Saturday morning I set my alarm and we shot out by 6am; Mt. Bierstadt is approximately 2 hours away. I had already checked the day’s forecast, knew that Guanella Pass was open, and thunderstorms were possible any time after 1pm.
Lightning strikes kill more hikers on Colorado’s 14ers than accidents/falls. Being that high up and close to God should have more folks worried (joking). Of course, standing on rock with ZERO tree coverage increases your strike chances too 🙂
Beginning at Guanella Pass trailhead, meant our hike started at 11,700 ft — and also, cut 3 hours from our out time. Parked the car and headed for willow thicket. Online reviews advised this ‘valley’ continues for a mile, then the next 6+ miles heads UP — first switchbacks, then rock grappling near summit. Any concerns I had about bringing Ro on a 14er were erased after 2 miles in — when we saw our first snow (glacier). Sno’ Ro led the charge from there until our last half mile when rock climbing held Super Ro to ‘normal’ dog pace 🙂
Knowing thunderstorms were a probability, Ro and I hit the trail hard. Steady pace with only 2 brief stops for oxygen; 2:45 hours up — guide says 2 hours (athlete) to 4 hours to summit. I kept my eye on a tour group who ultimately led our way. First gave us a target to chase, then provided company & conversation for a mile, and ultimately inspired us to pass and summit first. Still competitive — even in Colorado. (These super nice folks later snapped a few pics for us.)
Break out a sandwich, bean burrito and doggie trail mix — and KA-BOOM…the sound of thunder, soon followed by thundersnow — snow which comes down like pellets. Our crowd of 30 summiters soon disperses. Ro and I start from the back and trail run the next 4 miles. I stop for air and the winter winds blow in. Our race to the car is slowed only briefly by ‘hiker traffic’. Ro seemed to understand/sense that the snow, then ice, then rain wasn’t gonna let up.
Triscuits, sandwiches and more doggie trail mix from our tailgate for 10 minutes (food intended for our summit lunch) before rain/snow/slush deluge fell from the heavens. Oh yeah — 2:45 up but only 1:38 hours down. Gravity — and occasional thunderclaps — sped our pace. LOL>
Weekly hikes to date — this ranks in the top 5!
https://www.trimbleoutdoors.
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- Guanella Pass is OPEN; highest Trailhead to date (11,700ft)
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- 7 miles to Mt Bierstadt
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- first, (a full mile) willow thicket
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- then water; big rock was slippery on our way back; water plunge – argh!
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- one mile of (thicket) valley, then 6+ miles UP
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- and UP (1st snow & ice)
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- and UP (no more trees)
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- Sno Ro is back!
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- and UP (snow treking)
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- W-O-W!
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- and UP (last climb)
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- SUMMIT!
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- fellow SUMMITEERS (& fast moving clouds)
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- Thundersnow! (check out Ro’s coat)
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- Lightning kills on 14ers – guess everyone read the same article
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- back with 10 minutes to spare; slush & rain for the slackers
