Colorado Day 4/5ywlSay

Tuesday - April 25, 2017

Took a snow day today. It was snowing and cold so I rested and took a scenic drive through the mountains.

Wednesday - April 26, 2017

I went back to the park today to challenge another trail and chose the Green Mountain Trail. This trail is part of the Continental Divide Scenic Trail which is 3,100 miles long and goes from Mexico to Canada. My destination was Big Meadows located in a hanging valley about 2 miles up the trail. Big Meadows is the largest montane (yeah, I had to look this up - high altitude ecosystem found in the mountains) meadow in the park.

The beginning of the trail had some muddy sections with all the melting of snow but still 98% of the trail was snow covered.

It was somewhat exciting to realize that I was the first person to be on the trail since the new snow fall from yesterday.  Past usage ruts of the trail made it easy to follow.

I loved the way the light and shadows danced along the trail in front of me as the clouds passed over.

The water was really running fast in some sections.

For those non-wilderness hikers, there are these small orange trail markers about every 1/4 mile to let you know you are still on the trail. These were the markers I referenced that I couldn't find on a couple of the trails and I had to turn around.

This trail was really beautiful with the spacing of the trees allowing you to look deeper in the woods and to let the sun light play upon the snow.

I made it!!! The Big Meadow at an elevation of about 9,200 feet (climbed about 800 feet in elevation from the trail head).

The snow drifts located along the running water kind of reminded me of the glaciers in Antarctica (on a much MUCH smaller scale).

Time for my trail selfie before hiking back down.

How about one more stream picture.

I visited the Colorado River again before heading back to town.

As I was driving out of the park I came across a couple of moose just sauntering along.

Wow! is about all I can about this week's adventures. I did 4 days of hiking over 26.75 miles (according to my fitbit tracker) and climbed up and down over 3,000 feet in elevation changes. Mission accomplished!!!!

I know you (as do I) appreciate the pictures for the natural beauty as seen through the eyes. However, there is no way for me to convey through words the peacefulness and serenity that can only be experienced while standing totally still next to a babbling brook and listening to the wind blow along the tree tops knocking little mounds of snow off causing a gentle "plop" on the snow bed below. Call me crazy (you won't be the first nor the last if I can help it) but I have truly loved being out here running around the mountains while they are covered with snow. Hopefully I can do it again sometime.

Picture yourself standing here, breathing softly, listening to water flowing over rocks and enjoying the moment. Till next time!

Colorado Day 3

Monday - April 24, 2017

After my strenuous effort hiking yesterday, I decided to take a couple of shorter hikes today Adams Falls and the Colorado River Trail. I did end up hiking a little over 5 miles with most of the Colorado River Trail being snow covered.

 My first stop was at Adams Falls located just outside Grand Lake Village. The hike was really easy on a "naturalistic designed trail made of local materials, such as rock, wood, and dirt, in order to harmonize with the local environment." (per the trail description) The falls are very impressive as the water cascades roughly 55 feet down a narrow rock gorge in a series of steps.

As I approached the falls the roaring sound of the water grew louder. The all familiar sound causes different emotions to arise: 1) as a canoer - feelings of caution and potential danger; 2) as a white water rafter - feelings of excitement and possible adventure; and 3) as a naturalist - feelings of wonderment and anticipated beauty. Today I was the naturalist and I was not disappointed.

With all the snow melt, the water was really flowing.

Looking out across Grand Lake.

Next stop was back to the Rocky Mountain National Park to hike the Colorado River Trail. The beginning of the trail looked promising with some bare sections among the snow covered parts.

There was some slight elevation changes on the trail but nothing compared to yesterday's experience.

Well it didn't take long for the trail to become 98% snow covered with very few bare spots to walk on.

There were a couple of foot bridges over small streams.

Oh-Oh! this bridge looks a lot like that one yesterday.

The snow is really beginning to melt along the banks of the river.

You can see how the snow is still very deep further up the mountain side.

The pine trees had this moss growing on them. It appears to be killing the trees as the branches with the moss looked barren otherwise.

Saw this animal trail leading over to the water. There was evidence of moose tracks (not the ice cream kind) along the trail.

At times the trail went right along the river banks.

Then it headed up to higher ground along a 2 1/2 to 3 foot deep snow pack on a narrow ledge.

I have much better respect for mountain goats and how they run around the ridges.

A small area beginning to melt. This shows that at times you aren't sure how solid it is under the snow you have to walk on.

Simply beautiful!

Well, I lost the trail markers and decided to go back. I had gone a little over 2 miles. So, time for today's selfie before going back.

I love the way the snow drifts up and around the trees creating a beautiful landscape.

Not near as tired tonight and still greatly satisfied with what I was able to experience.