Colorado 2017
Bear Lake's Hallett Peak #1
Day 1: 9/30/2017 Image#1 is a 20 second exposure. Went to Bear Lake. Got up and on the road by the 4:30am. Took us 45 minutes to get there from our motel in Longmont, CO. It should be noted that Bear Lake Rd is closed to through traffic after 9:00am due to very limited parking at Bear Lake. We got there around 5:30am and already there were a lot of cars there. We scoped out the locations and I selected our spots which we shared with other photographers who were also out of State. Niala selected a location not too far from me with both locations being on the Lake with the mountains in the background and the slopes in fall foliage. Our positions were facing south-west so as the sun rose it hit the face of the mountain at an angle. There was a huge cloud just over the tip of the tallest mountain. As the sun rose you could see the light slide across the mountain and fall covered foliage as the shadows slithered away to the breaking dawn. The clouds served as a diffuser and spray colors of pink and mauve turning to shades of yellow and finally white. This was breath taking to witness and something I will remember. My photo friends and I were ecstatic and expressed our glee verbally while in the background you could hear the cameras clicking away. We just couldn’t capture enough versions of the changing light and this all happens in seconds.
Bear Lake's Hallett Peak #2
As the sun rose it splashed different hues of color on the clouds while they creeped across the sky. This image was taken at f/8 and a shutter speed of 8 second exposure.
Bear Lake's Hallett Peak #3
The clouds crawled across the heavens towards us captured as a result of capturing these images with longer shutter speeds. As the sun rose spraying more light the colors yielded to shades of yellow and gold. Image #3 is a 6 second exposure.
Bear Lake's Hallett Peak #4
The clouds continued to roll across the sky displaying a multitude of patterns. I stopped down the aperture in order to increase the shutter speed. This image was shot at f/11 and 15 seconds.
Bear Lake's Hallett Peak #5
The higher the sun climbed the brighter is throw of light and the whiter the clouds became. It is amazing to watch the light slither across the earth and moves quickly to blanket the earth in daylight. This image was taken at f/11 for 6 seconds.
Bear Lake's Hallett Peak #6
A new day clothed in a halo of white caped in blue and surround in falls greens, browns and yellows. This image shot at f/16 for 10 seconds.
Aspens In Gold
Bear Lake Road runs between Upper Beaver Meadows and Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Along the way you will pass hiking trails, picnic areas, campgrounds, the Moraine Park Museum and Sprague Lake.
There is a large picnic area at Sprague Lake (elevation 8710 feet), portable rest rooms, a stable, and a wheelchair-rated trail around the lake. The view to the west from just around the curve of the trail is fabulous.
The road ends in the Bear Lake parking lot. Park your car and walk the few yards to the famous lake. There are rest rooms a few yards from the parking lot for summer visitors.
Thatchtop MOuntain (?)
Bear Lake Road runs between Upper Beaver Meadows and Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Along the way you will pass hiking trails, picnic areas, campgrounds, the Moraine Park Museum and Sprague Lake.
There is a large picnic area at Sprague Lake (elevation 8710 feet), portable rest rooms, a stable, and a wheelchair-rated trail around the lake. The view to the west from just around the curve of the trail is fabulous.
The road ends in the Bear Lake parking lot. Park your car and walk the few yards to the famous lake. There are rest rooms a few yards from the parking lot for summer visitors.
Sprague Lake
Enjoy a leisurely half-mile walk around Sprague Lake (elevation 8,200 feet). This shallow, 13-acre lake is a remnant of a resort once owned here by Abner Sprague, an expert guide and host. Just before Rocky Mountain National Park was established in 1915, Sprague enlarged this lake by damming the far end to create better fishing for his lodge guests.
Sprague and his wife, Alberta, operated their lodge -- formerly located near today's parking lot -- from 1910-40. The Spragues introduced their guests to the pleasures of high mountain waters, meadows and trails. You, too, can refresh yourself by fishing, picnicking or hiking in this mountain setting. The 1/2-mile nature trail around the lake is handicap accessible.
Aspen Guards
Aspen trees, an icon of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, have leaves that transform into brilliant gold and yellow with autumn. Also known as “Quakies”, the pillar-like trunk and full foliage can hold a focal point or compliment any landscape design. Aspens offer an effective means to grow natural boundaries, defining landscape, and the beauty of Colorado
Aspens are on the “FireWise Plant List” published by the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension. This tree is considered to be fire resistant when choosing a species for planting near homes and outbuildings.
With a little consistent attention, an aspen can easily reestablish it’s root system with a propensity to grow saplings in a short period of time; a characteristic which enables a singular tree to become a grove of trees. Any unwanted saplings can be managed with a lawn mower or clippers.
An aspen has the capacity to absorb one ton of carbon from the atmosphere over its lifespan. Scientists have said that planting trees is the cheapest most effective way to deal with global warming. We encourage anyone to plant this great icon of the Rockies: the quaking aspen.
Hway 103, Mt Evans Scenic Byway, Idaho Spring, CO
Aspen trees, an icon of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, have leaves that transform into brilliant gold and yellow with autumn. Also known as “Quakies”, the pillar-like trunk and full foliage can hold a focal point or compliment any landscape design. Aspens offer an effective means to grow natural boundaries, defining landscape, and the beauty of Colorado
Aspens are on the “FireWise Plant List” published by the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension. This tree is considered to be fire resistant when choosing a species for planting near homes and outbuildings.
With a little consistent attention, an aspen can easily reestablish it’s root system with a propensity to grow saplings in a short period of time; a characteristic which enables a singular tree to become a grove of trees. Any unwanted saplings can be managed with a lawn mower or clippers.
An aspen has the capacity to absorb one ton of carbon from the atmosphere over its lifespan. Scientists have said that planting trees is the cheapest most effective way to deal with global warming. We encourage anyone to plant this great icon of the Rockies: the quaking aspen.
Highway 103 Scenic Byway
The peak of fall color moves in two directions across Colorado, shifting from north to south between late September and mid-October. It also shifts in elevation, starting in elevations at or above 9,000 feet in mid-September and showing up below 6,000 feet in early to mid-October. As the days grow shorter trees and shrubs prepare for winter by shutting down the production of chlorophyll, which is what gives leaves their green color. That process allows other colors inside a leaf to show through. The result is a brilliant display including shades of red, yellow, orange and gold. Colorado’s most famous tree to capture on film is the aspen, which stand out brilliantly when mixed with other tree species, including evergreens.
Echo Lake
Echo Lake is a high mountain lake off of the Mount Evans Scenic Byway in Echo Lake Park. To get to Echo Lake Park, go west on I-70 to the Mount Evans exit (Hwy 103) in Idaho Springs. Travel south on Hwy 103 for 14 miles to the park. Soon after the park was acquired the 617-acre park in 1920, a shelter house with picnic facilities near the lake was constructed. In 1926-27 the Echo Lake Lodge (open seasonally May-September) was built from native rock and timber. Nestled in a glacially formed hanging valley at 10,600 feet elevation with excellent views of the lake, lodge and Mount Evans. It formed during the latest period of glaciation roughly 10,000 years ago. As glaciers retreated in the Chicago Creek valley, lateral moraines formed a natural dam to drainage, forming the lake. Contact Echo Lake Lodge at (303)567-2138. For information about Mount Evans, contact Clear Creek Ranger District at (303) 567-2901. The U.S. Forest Service charges an admittance fee on Mount Evans Road.
This lake lies in the Arapaho National Forest along the Mount Evans Scenic Byway. It is usually fishable from May through September. Hiking or horse trail to Chicago Lakes area of the Mount Evans wilderness. Echo Lake is at N39°39.558' Latitude and W105°36.346' Longitude with an elevation of 10,600 ft.
Echo Lake is a shallow lake with plenty of rainbow trout in it. All of the lake is fishable from the shore. There are 18 campsites, including some tent-only sites.
Echo #2
Echo Lake is a high mountain lake off of the Mount Evans Scenic Byway in Echo Lake Park. To get to Echo Lake Park, go west on I-70 to the Mount Evans exit (Hwy 103) in Idaho Springs. Travel south on Hwy 103 for 14 miles to the park. Soon after the park was acquired the 617-acre park in 1920, a shelter house with picnic facilities near the lake was constructed. In 1926-27 the Echo Lake Lodge (open seasonally May-September) was built from native rock and timber. Nestled in a glacially formed hanging valley at 10,600 feet elevation with excellent views of the lake, lodge and Mount Evans. It formed during the latest period of glaciation roughly 10,000 years ago. As glaciers retreated in the Chicago Creek valley, lateral moraines formed a natural dam to drainage, forming the lake. Contact Echo Lake Lodge at (303)567-2138. For information about Mount Evans, contact Clear Creek Ranger District at (303) 567-2901. The U.S. Forest Service charges an admittance fee on Mount Evans Road.
This lake lies in the Arapaho National Forest along the Mount Evans Scenic Byway. It is usually fishable from May through September. Hiking or horse trail to Chicago Lakes area of the Mount Evans wilderness. Echo Lake is at N39°39.558' Latitude and W105°36.346' Longitude with an elevation of 10,600 ft.
Echo Lake is a shallow lake with plenty of rainbow trout in it. All of the lake is fishable from the shore. There are 18 campsites, including some tent-only sites.
Clear Creek
Clear Creek is a tributary of the South Platte River, approximately 66 miles long, in north central Colorado in the United States. The creek flows through Clear Creek Canyon in the Rocky Mountains directly west of Denver, descending through a long gorge to emerge on the Colorado Eastern Plains where it joins the South Platte.
The creek is famous as the location of the most intense early mining activity during the Colorado Gold Rush of 1859. Mountain man Jim Baker had a cabin on the creek from 1873 until his death in 1898. The creek provided the route of the Colorado Central Railroad, and later for U.S. Highway 6 and Interstate 70 as they ascend to the Continental Divide west of Denver.
Clear Creek was originally named Cannonball Creek as early as 1820, called so by the French hunters of the expedition of Stephen H. Long, after the river rocks in its bed. In the 1830s it became known as Vasquez Fork, also Vasquez River, after the fur trader Louis Vasquez who had his fort at the mouth of the river and trapped along it. It gained its present name from the gold rushers in 1859.
The closest whitewater to Denver. This steep, narrow and technical river winds through the historic mining valley of Idaho Springs and offers more rapids than most commercial rafting in Colorado.
Clear Creek #2
Clear Creek is a tributary of the South Platte River, approximately long, in north central Colorado in the United States. The creek flows through Clear Creek Canyon in the Rocky Mountains directly west of Denver, descending through a long gorge to emerge on the Colorado Eastern Plains where it joins the South Platte.
The creek is famous as the location of the most intense early mining activity during the Colorado Gold Rush of 1859. Mountain man Jim Baker had a cabin on the creek from 1873 until his death in 1898. The creek provided the route of the Colorado Central Railroad, and later for U.S. Highway 6 and Interstate 70 as they ascend to the Continental Divide west of Denver.
Clear Creek was originally named Cannonball Creek as early as 1820, called so by the French hunters of the expedition of Stephen H. Long, after the river rocks in its bed. In the 1830s it became known as Vasquez Fork, also Vasquez River, after the fur trader Louis Vasquez who had his fort at the mouth of the river and trapped along it. It gained its present name from the gold rushers in 1859.
The closest whitewater to Denver. This steep, narrow and technical river winds through the historic mining valley of Idaho Springs and offers more rapids than most commercial rafting in Colorado.
Clear Creek #3
Located 30 minutes from Denver, Clear Creek Rafting has become one of Colorado’s most popular summer activities. Enjoy this historic mining valley as it provides the perfect backdrop to some of the states most exhilarating whitewater.
The Continuous nature of Clear Creek makes for amazing rafting with each run containing numerous rapids in close proximity. This is really what separates clear creek rafting from other rivers in Colorado. For example: Most Rivers is Colorado have great rapids, but there can be miles of flat water in between the rapids. The experience can be diminished when periods of intense fun and excitement are interrupted by long stretches of flat water. On Clear Creek, the rapids are numerous with only small short sections of calmer water separating them. The result is high quality rafting providing the perfect balance of excitement, natural beauty and the right amount of down time to catch your breath, soak in the scenery and get ready for the next rapid! .
Charlie Tayler Water Wheel
Charlie Tayler used this waterwheel to power a stamp mill at his gold mining operations on the Ute Creek. Tayler, who attributed his good health to the fact that he never kissed women or took baths, built the water wheel in 1893. It was moved to its present site in 1946, a gift to the People of Idaho Springs by his estate. It was restored during the spring and summer of 1988 by volunteers and private contributions. It was dedicated during Gold Rush Days, July 16-17, 1988.
Clear Creek; Idaho Spring CO; Dog Head Rail Bridge Trail; Scott Lancaster Memorial Trail
Charlie Tayler Water Wheel
Charlie Tayler used this waterwheel to power a stamp mill at his gold mining operations on the Ute Creek. Tayler, who attributed his good health to the fact that he never kissed women or took baths, built the water wheel in 1893. It was moved to its present site in 1946, a gift to the People of Idaho Springs by his estate. It was restored during the spring and summer of 1988 by volunteers and private contributions. It was dedicated during Gold Rush Days, July 16-17, 1988.
Aspens In Snow
Fall River Area: Aspen trees, an icon of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, have leaves that transform into brilliant gold and yellow with autumn. Also known as “Quakies”, the pillar-like trunk and full foliage can hold a focal point or compliment any landscape design. Aspens offer an effective means to grow natural boundaries, defining landscape, and the beauty of Colorado
Aspens are on the “FireWise Plant List” published by the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension. This tree is considered to be fire resistant when choosing a species for planting near homes and outbuildings.
With a little consistent attention, an aspen can easily reestablish it’s root system with a propensity to grow saplings in a short period of time; a characteristic which enables a singular tree to become a grove of trees. Any unwanted saplings can be managed with a lawn mower or clippers.
An aspen has the capacity to absorb one ton of carbon from the atmosphere over its lifespan. Scientists have said that planting trees is the cheapest most effective way to deal with global warming. We encourage anyone to plant this great icon of the Rockies: the quaking aspen.
Elk Bull
Elk are plentiful in RMNP especially during the Rut Season. this is a young male bull.
Black Billed Magpie
In early part of 20th century, many were killed as pests or poisoned by baits set out for predators. In spite of this, remains common and widespread. Rangeland, conifers, stream sides, forest edges, farms.
Found in many kinds of semi-open country in the west. Avoids unbroken forest, and not found in treeless grasslands or extreme desert situations. Most common in stream side groves of trees in open terrain, farm country, and some suburban areas.
Black-billed Magpies add much to western landscapes, both with their flashy appearance and with their big bushel-basket nests in trees. In an earlier era, farmers and ranchers tried to exterminate this species, but to no avail, and it is common today in open country and even in towns in the mountain west.
Black Billed Magpie #2
In early part of 20th century, many were killed as pests or poisoned by baits set out for predators. In spite of this, remains common and widespread. Rangeland, conifers, stream sides, forest edges, farms.
Found in many kinds of semi-open country in the west. Avoids unbroken forest, and not found in treeless grasslands or extreme desert situations. Most common in stream side groves of trees in open terrain, farm country, and some suburban areas.
Black-billed Magpies add much to western landscapes, both with their flashy appearance and with their big bushel-basket nests in trees. In an earlier era, farmers and ranchers tried to exterminate this species, but to no avail, and it is common today in open country and even in towns in the mountain west.
Alluvial Fan
On July 15, 1982 at 5:30 a.m. Lawn Lake broke through the terminal moraine that had held since the end of the last ice age, thousands of years ago. The release of 29 million gallons of water swept trees and car-sized boulders four miles down to the valley floor. In addition to tons of lighter rocks, gavel and sand creating a 42-acre alluvial fan. A trash collector heard the waters crashing down the Roaring River and called park rangers, who evacuated campers at Aspenglen campgrounds. Two were lost to the flood at the campground and one along the Roaring River. Much of the flood's force was weakened while submerging the meadows of Horseshoe Park, but still had enough force to flood the town of Estes Park to a depth of six feet. Lake Estes to the east of town contained the floodwaters preventing further damage.
Sediments from the flood dammed the Fall River, forming a shallow 17-acre lake. Unofficially called "Fan Lake" , it has provided new habitats for wildlife displaced by the Lawn Lake flood's debris.
By 1996, Fall River has already begun eroding the lakes temporary dam. Eventually, the lake will drain to create wetlands, meadows and forest.
Alluvial Fan #2
On July 15, 1982 at 5:30 a.m. Lawn Lake broke through the terminal moraine that had held since the end of the last ice age, thousands of years ago. The release of 29 million gallons of water swept trees and car-sized boulders four miles down to the valley floor. In addition to tons of lighter rocks, gavel and sand creating a 42-acre alluvial fan. A trash collector heard the waters crashing down the Roaring River and called park rangers, who evacuated campers at Aspenglen campgrounds. Two were lost to the flood at the campground and one along the Roaring River. Much of the flood's force was weakened while submerging the meadows of Horseshoe Park, but still had enough force to flood the town of Estes Park to a depth of six feet. Lake Estes to the east of town contained the floodwaters preventing further damage.
Sediments from the flood dammed the Fall River, forming a shallow 17-acre lake. Unofficially called "Fan Lake" , it has provided new habitats for wildlife displaced by the Lawn Lake flood's debris.
By 1996, Fall River has already begun eroding the lakes temporary dam. Eventually, the lake will drain to create wetlands, meadows and forest.
Hunting Cayote
The color and texture of the coyote's fur varies somewhat geographically. The hair's predominant color is light gray and red or fulvous, interspersed around the body with black and white. Coyotes living at high elevations tend to have more black and gray shades than their desert-dwelling counterparts, which are more fulvous or whitish-gray. The coyote's fur consists of short, soft underfur and long, coarse guard hairs. The fur of northern subspecies is longer and denser than in southern forms, with the fur of some Mexican and Central American forms being almost hispid (bristly). Generally, adult coyotes (including coywolf hybrids) have a sable coat color, dark neonatal coat color, bushy tail with an active supracaudal gland, and a white facial mask.
The coyote is typically smaller than the gray wolf, but has longer ears and a relatively larger braincase, as well as a thinner frame, face, and muzzle. The scent glands are smaller than the gray wolf's, but are the same color. Its fur color variation is much less varied than that of a wolf. The coyote also carries its tail downwards when running or walking, rather than horizontally as the wolf does.
Coyote tracks can be distinguished from those of dogs by their more elongated, less rounded shape. They hunt small rodents by pouncing on them while chasing squirrels. They will hunt in packs for larger game.
Hunting Cayote #2
The color and texture of the coyote's fur varies somewhat geographically. The hair's predominant color is light gray and red or fulvous, interspersed around the body with black and white. Coyotes living at high elevations tend to have more black and gray shades than their desert-dwelling counterparts, which are more fulvous or whitish-gray. The coyote's fur consists of short, soft underfur and long, coarse guard hairs. The fur of northern subspecies is longer and denser than in southern forms, with the fur of some Mexican and Central American forms being almost hispid (bristly). Generally, adult coyotes (including coywolf hybrids) have a sable coat color, dark neonatal coat color, bushy tail with an active supracaudal gland, and a white facial mask.
The coyote is typically smaller than the gray wolf, but has longer ears and a relatively larger braincase, as well as a thinner frame, face, and muzzle. The scent glands are smaller than the gray wolf's, but are the same color. Its fur color variation is much less varied than that of a wolf. The coyote also carries its tail downwards when running or walking, rather than horizontally as the wolf does.
Coyote tracks can be distinguished from those of dogs by their more elongated, less rounded shape. They hunt small rodents by pouncing on them while chasing squirrels. They will hunt in packs for larger game.
Elk Cow
Sparring Elk
Elk are one of the largest species within the deer family. Elk are susceptible to a number of infectious diseases, some of which can be transmitted to livestock. Efforts to eliminate infectious diseases from elk populations, largely by vaccination, have had mixed success.
Adult elk usually stay in single-sex groups for most of the year. During the mating period known as the rut, mature bulls compete for the attentions of the cow elk and will try to defend females in their harem. Rival bulls challenge opponents by bellowing and by paralleling each other, walking back and forth. This allows potential combatants to assess the other's antlers, body size and fighting prowess. If neither bull backs down, they engage in antler wrestling, and bulls sometimes sustain serious injuries. Bulls also dig holes in the ground, in which they urinate and roll their body. A male elk's urethra points upward so that urine is sprayed almost at a right angle to the penis. The urine soaks into their hair and gives them a distinct smell which attracts cows.
Dominant bulls follow groups of cows during the rut, from August into early winter. A bull will defend his harem of 20 cows or more from competing bulls and predators. Only mature bulls have large harems and breeding success peaks at about eight years of age. Bulls between two and four years and over 11 years of age rarely have harems, and spend most of the rut on the periphery of larger harems. Young and old bulls that do acquire a harem hold it later in the breeding season than do bulls in their prime. A bull with a harem rarely feeds and he may lose up to 20 percent of his body weight. Bulls that enter the rut in poor condition are less likely to make it through to the peak conception period or have the strength to survive the rigors of the oncoming winter.
Bulls have a loud vocalization consisting of screams known as bugling, which can be heard for miles. Bugling is often associated with an adaptation to open environments such as parklands, meadows, and savannas, where sound can travel great distances. Females are attracted to the males that bugle more often and have the loudest call. Bugling is most common early and late in the day and is one of the most distinctive sounds in nature, akin to the howl of the gray wolf.
Sparring Elk #2
Elk are one of the largest species within the deer family. Elk are susceptible to a number of infectious diseases, some of which can be transmitted to livestock. Efforts to eliminate infectious diseases from elk populations, largely by vaccination, have had mixed success.
Adult elk usually stay in single-sex groups for most of the year. During the mating period known as the rut, mature bulls compete for the attentions of the cow elk and will try to defend females in their harem. Rival bulls challenge opponents by bellowing and by paralleling each other, walking back and forth. This allows potential combatants to assess the other's antlers, body size and fighting prowess. If neither bull backs down, they engage in antler wrestling, and bulls sometimes sustain serious injuries. Bulls also dig holes in the ground, in which they urinate and roll their body. A male elk's urethra points upward so that urine is sprayed almost at a right angle to the penis. The urine soaks into their hair and gives them a distinct smell which attracts cows.
Dominant bulls follow groups of cows during the rut, from August into early winter. A bull will defend his harem of 20 cows or more from competing bulls and predators. Only mature bulls have large harems and breeding success peaks at about eight years of age. Bulls between two and four years and over 11 years of age rarely have harems, and spend most of the rut on the periphery of larger harems. Young and old bulls that do acquire a harem hold it later in the breeding season than do bulls in their prime. A bull with a harem rarely feeds and he may lose up to 20 percent of his body weight. Bulls that enter the rut in poor condition are less likely to make it through to the peak conception period or have the strength to survive the rigors of the oncoming winter.
Bulls have a loud vocalization consisting of screams known as bugling, which can be heard for miles. Bugling is often associated with an adaptation to open environments such as parklands, meadows, and savannas, where sound can travel great distances. Females are attracted to the males that bugle more often and have the loudest call. Bugling is most common early and late in the day and is one of the most distinctive sounds in nature, akin to the howl of the gray wolf.
Elk Bull #2
This proud Elk had established his herd and aggressively protected it. The ritual to ward off challenges is to burgle and throw their large rack of antlers back over their shoulders. This action normally will deter challengers as actual fighting can create injuries. Although it can occur.
Dominant bulls follow groups of cows during the rut, from August into early winter. A bull will defend his harem of 20 cows or more from competing bulls and predators. Only mature bulls have large harems and breeding success peaks at about eight years of age. Bulls between two and four years and over 11 years of age rarely have harems, and spend most of the rut on the periphery of larger harems. Young and old bulls that do acquire a harem hold it later in the breeding season than do bulls in their prime. A bull with a harem rarely feeds and he may lose up to 20 percent of his body weight. Bulls that enter the rut in poor condition are less likely to make it through to the peak conception period or have the strength to survive the rigors of the oncoming winter.
Young Pair
Sparring Elk #3
Dominant bulls follow groups of cows during the rut, from August into early winter. A bull will defend his harem of 20 cows or more from competing bulls and predators. Only mature bulls have large harems and breeding success peaks at about eight years of age. Bulls between two and four years and over 11 years of age rarely have harems, and spend most of the rut on the periphery of larger harems. Young and old bulls that do acquire a harem hold it later in the breeding season than do bulls in their prime. A bull with a harem rarely feeds and he may lose up to 20 percent of his body weight. Bulls that enter the rut in poor condition are less likely to make it through to the peak conception period or have the strength to survive the rigors of the oncoming winter.
Steller's Jay
The Steller's jay is a jay native to western North America, closely related to the blue jay found in the rest of the continent, but with a black head and upper body. It is also known as the long-crested jay, mountain jay, and pine jay. It is the only crested jay west of the Rocky Mountains.
Alberta Falls
Alberta Falls Trail is a 2.2 mile round trail moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Estes Park, Colorado that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. Horses are also able to use this trail. The trail winds through aspen forest, where there are many sunny outlooks and vantage points of the gorge.
I started the trail at Bear Lake and hiked down about a 5/10 of a mile before coming to a Y intersection. Going to the right was the trailhead to Alberta Falls and was an additional 6/10 of a mile. Going left for 3/10 of a mile took you to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead and parking lot. Because it had snowed and the snow had turned to slush and ice made for an interesting hike.
Alberta Falls was named by Abner Sprague and his wife, early residents of the park who named many of the landmarks in their backyard - now Rocky Mountain National Park. Alberta Falls is one of the most prominent waterfalls in the park and can be glimpsed from the trail to Lake Odessa from Bear Lake.
I started the trail at Bear Lake and hiked down about a 5/10 of a mile before coming to a Y intersection. Going to the right was the trailhead to Alberta Falls and was an additional 6/10 of a mile. Going left for 3/10 of a mile took you to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead and parking lot. Because it had snowed and the snow had turned to slush and ice made for an interesting hike. We did not get to the turnoff before we decided that my friend, who has some balance issues, should turn back due to the ice and slush and I would continue
Mt. Meeker and Longs Peak.
The Lily Lake Loop is an excellent hike for the entire family. This level, fully accessible trail, circles around the lake and nearby wetlands for just over three-quarters of a mile, and is conveniently located near Estes Park.
To reach the trailhead from Estes Park, drive 6.3 miles south on Colorado Highway 7 to the Lily Lake parking area. You can park at the lake or across the highway at the old Lily Lake Visitor Center (now closed).
In 1992 the Lily Lake area was purchased by Rocky Mountain National Park. Five years later, with funding from the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, the popular handicapped accessible trail was constructed using hard packed gravel. Although you can start in either direction, this description follows the loop in a clockwise direction.
Roughly one-quarter of a mile from the trailhead hikers will reach a side trail that provides access to the Storm Pass Trail. Hikers now have the choice of using this route to reach Estes Cone, in addition to the route starting from the Longs Peak Trailhead.
Lily Lake is situated at the headwaters of Fish Creek, which flows for roughly five miles into Lake Estes. Although the lake is natural, a dam was constructed in 1915 in order to increase its size. Prior to the dam the lake covered 14 acres of surface area, and contained roughly 39 acre feet of water. After 1915, the dam increased the surface area to 17 acres, and nearly doubled the amount of water to roughly 75 acre feet of water. In 2010 the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation rated the Lily Lake Dam as a high potential hazard. Although the park considered removing it, the decision was made to repair the dam in 2012.
Wild Basin Trailand
Lower Copeland Falls
The hike to Copeland Falls begins from the fairly remote Wild Basin Trailhead in the southeastern corner of Rocky Mountain National Park, located near the small communities of Meeker Park and Allenspark. To reach the trailhead from Estes Park, drive 12.6 miles south on Colorado Highway 7 to the Wild Basin Road junction and turn right. After driving 0.4 miles, make another right turn into the park. The Wild Basin Trailhead is located roughly 2.2 miles from the park turn-off on a narrow, two-wheel drive gravel road.
After leaving the parking area, the roughly three-foot high Lower Copeland Falls will arrive just one-third of a mile from the trailhead. Upper Copeland Falls is located roughly one-tenth of a mile further upstream along the North St. Vrain Creek. There's a side trail that visits both the lower and upper falls, which parallels the main trail. Once you've visited Upper Copeland Falls you'll have the choice of retracing your steps back to the trailhead, or you could merge onto the main trail, take a right, and then return back to the trailhead. Either route will allow you to enjoy this absolutely beautiful and pristine subalpine forest.
Lower Copeland Falls #2
The hike to Copeland Falls begins from the fairly remote Wild Basin Trailhead in the southeastern corner of Rocky Mountain National Park, located near the small communities of Meeker Park and Allenspark. To reach the trailhead from Estes Park, drive 12.6 miles south on Colorado Highway 7 to the Wild Basin Road junction and turn right. After driving 0.4 miles, make another right turn into the park. The Wild Basin Trailhead is located roughly 2.2 miles from the park turn-off on a narrow, two-wheel drive gravel road.
After leaving the parking area, the roughly three-foot high Lower Copeland Falls will arrive just one-third of a mile from the trailhead. Upper Copeland Falls is located roughly one-tenth of a mile further upstream along the North St. Vrain Creek. There's a side trail that visits both the lower and upper falls, which parallels the main trail. Once you've visited Upper Copeland Falls you'll have the choice of retracing your steps back to the trailhead, or you could merge onto the main trail, take a right, and then return back to the trailhead. Either route will allow you to enjoy this absolutely beautiful and pristine subalpine forest.
Upper Copeland Falls-Base
The hike to Copeland Falls begins from the fairly remote Wild Basin Trailhead in the southeastern corner of Rocky Mountain National Park, located near the small communities of Meeker Park and Allenspark. To reach the trailhead from Estes Park, drive 12.6 miles south on Colorado Highway 7 to the Wild Basin Road junction and turn right. After driving 0.4 miles, make another right turn into the park. The Wild Basin Trailhead is located roughly 2.2 miles from the park turn-off on a narrow, two-wheel drive gravel road.
After leaving the parking area, the roughly three-foot high Lower Copeland Falls will arrive just one-third of a mile from the trailhead. Upper Copeland Falls is located roughly one-tenth of a mile further upstream along the North St. Vrain Creek. There's a side trail that visits both the lower and upper falls, which parallels the main trail. Once you've visited Upper Copeland Falls you'll have the choice of retracing your steps back to the trailhead, or you could merge onto the main trail, take a right, and then return back to the trailhead. Either route will allow you to enjoy this absolutely beautiful and pristine subalpine forest.
Upper Copeland Falls
It was on this trail that we had an adult Moose Bull cross our path, he stopped looked us over and then continued up the trail. This trail was moderately active with hikers and he did not seem the least bit concerned, but he is wild and dangerous so we gave him the right-of-way. The day was bright and sunny and at this hour it made for photographing this area challenging due to the high contrast of the area. I did not make it to Calypso Cascades due to the late hour of the day so that is for another trip. I can only imagine what these cascades would look like in the spring during the snow run-off.
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