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!
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