We are back to rainy day here in the front range, but yesterday was spectacular in the high country.
I made to the Emerald Lake overlook, which you can see right below, with couple folks (that little dot right in the middle of the lake) who just came down from the slopes above.
You might be able to spot Mills Lake to the upper left and of course the star of this show is Longs Peak, peaking out from the clouds.
Went for Flat Top Mountain this morning, not the one pictured, of course. After clearing the tree line the snow was pretty deep and I didn’t bother to bring my snow shoes, so every step was a struggle. I did made up to the overlook over Emerald Lake, had some food and decided to call it quits and head back down.
Longs Peak looked pretty awesome most of the morning, poking its head in and out of the clouds. Every time I look at it, I picture my self back there at the summit, observing the park from its highest point.
And of course wild life is always welcome on a hike, especially at 11,000 feet high elevation.
If you live or happen to be in Colorado, make an effort to visit Rocky Mountain National Park in the next few days. Trail Ridge road is now open, which allows to drive over 12000+ feet high elevation and provides pretty awesome views, like these, featuring Longs Peak, one of the Colorado 14ers. Also, if you visit in the next few day, you will see plenty of snow, like in the short video. Have fun!
What lake is this?
Clue: prominent Colorado peak is in the background.
Update – it is Lake Haiyaha in RMNP. Longs Peak is in the background.
A few more from couple days ago. Sun hit the peak nicely for a few minutes, giving us this.
I hiked Longs Peak in August and now can see the general location of couple sections of the trail. Here you can see the Ledgers and the Thorough, I think that is what it’s called.
The Ledgers kind of go right along the sun break line, in mid section of this photo, its not advised to be traveled in wet or snow or icy conditions. One mistake and you will be sliding all the way down couple thousand feet to Green Lake. Second photo shows how far down it goes.
The Thorough, is a chute seen covered in snow, doesn’t have the same denger, but it has a lot of lose rock, and it’s highly recommended to wear a helmet on that section, as folks above you who a sliding on the their butts more likely kick some of that rock…you don’t want to be in its pass. If you are, helmet might prevent head injury.
There are two final sections on the other side, not shown. To get up this peak via standard keyhole route you circle around North, West, and South. There are more advanced technical routes via the east side, the famous Diamond, last photo. Did you know that Longs Peak Diamond is on the Colorado 25 cent coin?
