a small adventure in Colorado-Pt 1

[buckyball1]

I was a bit reluctant to post this as it breaks no new ground and isn't epic like "58 14Ks in 58 days", but realized that i (and i hope others) enjoy reading TRs about hikes most of us could do...so...

A few weeks ago i headed to Denver with hopes of exploring the area from a base at my nephew's place in Arvada. I had a few plans, but no clue as to how things might go-14K+ is a long way from ME1000'P peaks.

The first day out, I hiked in the Front Range near Boulder ("behind" the Flatirons) and managed to summit 2 8500' peaks, S Boulder and Bear (up Sahdow Caynon and down Leaf? Caynon)-the usual superior, easy hiking western trails and only a bit out of breath when i pushed hard--nice open tops on both and excellent views

Flatirons

Devil's Thumb in Flatirons

S Boulder

The next day i headed to Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park--go there, it's grand. I parked at Bear Lake and headed toward the 12K+ summits of Flat Top and Hallett--great trails, "easy" hiking, but wow, a real revelation re altitude. I knew intellectually what was going to happen, but when i tried to push it a bit around 10,500, the whole world started spinning and i came close to hitting the ground. Slowing down a lot helped the dizziness and breathing issues, but i still had balance and at times minor judgement problems. I made it to the summit of Flat Top, wondered how i'd ever get to Hallett and of course pushed on around the top of the Tyndall Glacier and up the NH-like rockpile to Hallett's summit-rewarded with out of this world views east/west of thew Continental Divide and had top all to myself. (except for the Pika everywhere) I took a bad fall on the rocks as i started down Hallett ( error in judgement i'd normally not make ) and envisioned myself lying there as the afternoon hail storm rolled in and the temp dropped into the 30s, but i was "OK" and made it down.

Hallett from Flat Top

Flat Top and Tyndall Galcier from Hallet

Pika

I slept soundly at about 8500' that night in my tent (Glacier Basin C. G.-great views of Longs) and spent the next day exploring several lakes about 10K and doing the tourist drive across Trail Ridge RD (do it--spectacular).--visitor's' center at 12K+. As I came down on the "Western Slope" (west of the Divide) about 75-90% of the trees were dead in some places-victim of the pine beetle

Trail to Mills Lake

Mills Lake

Trail Ridge Rd view

Day 4 was a "down day" with highlights of a visit to Red Rocks concert venue and a trip to Coor's Brewery in Golden. I saw Castle Rock above the brewery and of course couldn't resist finding a way around and up to the mesa top-rattlesnakes abound, but i saw none.

red rocks just behind the concert "stadium"

Castle Rock above Coor's Brewery

to be con't, i hope

 

[Amicus]

Great pix! I do prefer hikes I could do. Hope to get out there one of these days.

 

[leaf]

nice pix. i hope to see a pika this weekend. they are so cute!!!

were you able to see the sharkstooth from hallett?

 

[buckyball1]

Leaf--saw it from several places--had no idea what it was called until hiking toward the Loch at crack of dawn and walked with a rock climber headed in to do some 5.7? stuff--pretty cool piece of rock from a distance

 

[kltilton]

Great photos. I did Flattop and Mills Lake last summer when I was in RMNP. Also did Green Mt. in the Flatirons. Beautiful trails with a few less roots and rocks than around here.

 

[buckyball1]

Green is the next peak down the range from S Boulder and Bear--was on my list if another 8+er was needed--my daughter enjoyed doing it last year

 

[leaf]

Leaf--saw it from several places--had no idea what it was called until hiking toward the Loch at crack of dawn and walked with a rock climber headed in to do some 5.7? stuff--pretty cool piece of rock from a distance

awesome. yeah, the northeast ridge route is rating a 5.7. with any luck, i'll let you know what the view is like from the top next week.

last i heard all the snow was melted from the approach. hope that's the case and i can leave any snow stuff in the car.

 

[Diapensia]

Neat! I've been wanting to go to CO but have been thwarted 2 years in a row, so I appreciate seeing your pics.

 

[Cymbidium]

You can be in your best shape and altitude will just blindside you! I have been up to 11K in the Tetons on a backpack and remember bending over every few steps on an ascent to catch my breath. Great report and beautiful photos. I really like the Mills lake shot!

but wow, a real revelation re altitude. I knew intellectually what was going to happen, but when i tried to push it a bit around 10,500, the whole world started spinning and i came close to hitting the ground.

 

[una_dogger]

Nice! Things are looking pretty green for this time of year out in the Boulder area -- you know that they call Boulder, don't you? "Ten Square Miles Surrounded by Reality"?? Quite a town, has changed alot since I first visited there in 1996; some for the better, some for the worse; as in most places...but you sure can't beat that Green Belt, pretty forward thinking, I'd say.