last morning

Last morning in the park. I had spent some time debating where my last hike would be; I ended up decided to go somewhere new, cross off a few more miles on my map, rather than visit an old favorite.
The fog hung low that morning and clouds were racing in over the Divide; looks like a wet one.

Low-hanging clouds in Moraine Park

In Moraine Park, looking towards the Divide.
These strange clouds were swirling quickly in the deep valley.

A familiar scene: Hallett Peak and Flattop Mtn from Bear Lake.
Notice the dark clouds coming in

Mist over Bear Lake

Bear Lake

Nymph Lake

Dream Lake, just after the Haiyaha Junction.
Just up the path I was started by a large bull elk, thrashing amongst the trees.
Needless to say, I gave him plenty of time to move on.

Nearing the rocky shore of Lake Haiyaha

Lake Haiyaha

By this point the rain was coming down;
the clouds and the rain seemed perfectly fitting for  the hike.

I extended this looped hike a bit by visiting Mills Lake one last night. The lighting wasn't terribly flattering for photos but it was quite fulfilling for the soul.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Where my love for nature and solitude were re-awoken and where my desire to use my legs as much as possible began.

early morning at Sprague

East Inlet

Just a few days left in the park and Kristen and I headed to the west side to check out a couple of the "wetter, better" trails. 

We would up hiking about 11miles, roundtrip, to Lone Pine Lake. By the time we made it to the lake, the weather turned a bit nasty and we headed back, making it back into town just in time for the rain clouds to let loose.

We started the morning off with the sighting of 5 moose!
Three of which were young calves, staying close to their mother.

Into the woods where we saw three more moose. But these guys were big bulls, with huge racks. Picture-taking was less of a priority than not-getting-gored-by-moose; hence no pictures.

East Meadow

Near the Gray Jay group campsite

View from the Gray Jay group campsite

Lone Pine Lake, where once a lone pine stood. 

5.5 miles in and somehow Kristen manages to get cell phone service.

On the trail back we spotted a couple looking out towards the river, pointing at something...

Another moose!

A glorious west side day, indeed.

Flattop Mtn

After putting it off and putting it off, I finally woke up early, bound and determined to reach the peak of Flattop Mtn - 4.3miles up with almost 3,000ft in elevation gained. 

Bear Lake - looking towards Hallett Peak on the left and  Flattop Mtn on the right

Looking down towards Dream Lake

Looking out towards Bierstadt Lake (left) and Sprague Lake (right)

Looking up towards Hallett, nearly above treeline.

Looking down towards Emerald Lake

Getting closer!

Ptarmigan!

Might not look so bad, but with the cold and the wind this part of the trail kicked my butt

Next time: making the journey across the Divide to Grand Lake

In between Flattop and Hallett, looking down towards Dream and Sprague Lake

Looking at the peak of Hallett, with Tyndall Glacier in the foreground

Arctic Gentians - a sure sign that summer is nearly over

Arctic Gentian

Paintbrush still blooming

Looking towards Mills Lake and Long's Peak

a late night/early morning

Bridal Veil Falls

If you want to see Bridal Veil Falls, be prepared to wake up early or start late. From the Cow Creek Trailhead the falls are a relatively easy 3miles in. However, parking is very limited (7-10spaces) and fills up fast. I did this after work one night with a couple of coworkers. I had talked to another Ranger and he said he saw his one and only mtn lion at dusk on this trail. 

Needless to say I was a bit paranoid. 

The trail remains fairly open for much of the hike before entering a canopied marsh.

First glimpses of Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls