Alderfer - Three Sisters Loop

NOTE:  This journal entry has been reposted with correct text spacing and images from the day hike.  Sorry for any inconvenience.  The first version has been deleted.

This hike is a keeper:

For those of you who might be fair weather hikers, you missed a great one. Things like easy access to the TH, solid trail bed, plus long, lazy switchbacks help hikers up grades with no extra effort.

A sandlily and bowl cactus in bloom.

Canopy varies from zero to a max of 60% at a number of sections.

Ardy makes her way through tall  Engleman spruce growth.

Views along the way are good.  Nothing like seeing the local golf course after a mile on trail. Then again, any time a trail takes me away from civilization for a few hours, it's a good day.

Pasque flowers dot the landscape.

There were 13 hikers today. Women continue to dominate the gender stats, filling 10 seats on the bus. We officially welcomed two new hikers to 'High Country Hikers.' Lela Williams and Birgitta Rauman both attended hiking classes at ACAA, and now hike with the group. Williams hails from Bolder, while Rauman is from Aurora.

Fresh out of "Hiking - The Basics" classes, new additions, Birgitta (L) and Lela (middle), proved to be solid hikers.

There was no doubt, every hiker enjoyed the experience. A clear, sunny, day that got better the instant we stepped off the bus and cinched into our packs. Experience tells me the success of a hike can be gauged by how well the first few minutes go after arriving at the TH.

On one of many switchbacks, Betty, Clietta, Lela, and Marsha maintain a steady pace.

NO body forgot an essential item. Every one brought sufficient water. Good decisions were made by everyone regarding proper clothes for the day.

Most important, everyone wanted to be there. That sense of belonging to a group in which all members enjoy time together is comforting.  Evergreen and the surrounding area is without question a beautiful and scenic place.  The approach to Evergreen Lake provides visitors terrific views.

Hiker Leader, Ed, points out various landscape features at a trail junction.

The adjacent golf course has its own serene atmosphere about it. The good thing about all that is we got to see that great scenery before we stepped off the bus.

The TH is at the corner of the golf course parking lot. Long, well-trodden switchbacks helped ease the effort needed to make steady progress. Hike leader, Ed Blum, took additional rest stops today to insure everyone remained together. In terms of rock formations in the park, they are mostly made of silver plume quartz.

Penny and Sharon maneuver another switchback on the descent.

Trails are either dirt single-track to double-track. The call for wildlife did go out early today...no wildlife responded, not even a mouse.

We did get to the top of 3 Sisters in time for lunch. Surrounded by rock formations and a good canopy overhead, the setting was almost perfect.

One of many rock formations atop 3 Sisters Park.

Before beginning our descent, Ed told the group, Gary 2 was making blue berry cheesecake, with graham cracker topping, back country style. There was enough for everyone to get a taste.

After lunch at the top, Clietta (L) and Penny rest before the descent.

As we scanned the highest rock formations, we located a large cave-like opening. Gary 1 was sure the positioning of the rocks are man made.  Some of us are not that sure.

One of a number of cave-like features atop 3 Sisters.

Then, sad news from Ed. If everybody is ready, we will start our way back down the mountain, he told us. Our descent, once again, included numerous switchbacks.  Everyone remained together, remained safe, and remained in good spirits.  I would like to believe the smiles are a result of having a wonderful experience, rather than the thought of stopping in Evergreen for Ice Cream.  Maybe some of both.

Back Row (L to R) Birgitta, Sharon, Marcia, Judy, Ed, Betty, Ardy, and Jonelle.                                                                   Front Row (L to R) Lela, Clietta, and Penny

Total elevation gain = 900'

Total miles = 5.3