ESTES PARK, Colo. — I’m sitting on an outdoor patio listening to the Big Thompson River roar by, flush with fresh snowmelt. I’ve spent the last couple of days logging more than 25 miles of hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. I was going to post a few photos, but I have the wrong USB cable. So stay tuned for those.

Today, I started with a loop around Bear Lake, then hiked up to Nymph, Dream, and spectacular Emerald Lake, which sits is a steep-sided, snow-covered cirque. From there, I headed over a high ridge into Loch Vale. The last 200 yards to Timberline Falls required traversing a steep, slushy snowfield. After that adventure, I hiked over to Mills Lake and Alberta Falls.

Yesterday featured a hike up Odessa Gorge, culminating with some quality time at Odessa Lake. I’ve seen lots of deer and smaller mammals, but no bears. Tomorrow, I’ll drive the length of Trail Ridge Road before returning to Denver. I fly home Tuesday morning.

By the way, to those broiling in the Texas heat, my thermometer at my campsite this morning read 36 degrees. A couple of days ago, in the middle of the afternoon, it was in the 50s. It will be a shock coming back to an oven.

Complete trip report:

Also see:

Potentially related posts:

  1. Self Portrait at Odessa Lake
  2. Photo 2,000 – Mills Lake
  3. Loch Vale
  4. Chapel on the Rock
  5. Wildflowers in the Rockies
  6. Fern, Odessa and Cub Lakes
  7. Wildlife Shots From the Rockies

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