O'Fallon Park Loop

All 13 seats on the bus were filled AGAIN for a day on trails in O'Fallon Park.  The park is one of many such gems for physical exercise in the Jefferson County Open Space system.   Hikers arrived at the park on Bear Creek, at 9:30.  With only a few steps to the TH, hikers were cinched in their packs and on trail by 9:40.

Members of 'High Country Hikers' on their way to Vista Point.

Beginning with the Picnic Loop Trail, we started almost immediately to gain elevation.  In fact, most of the 800+' gain on the day was realized in the first hour on trail.  Conditions were dry grass and dusty trails.  So dry, even the passing of two cyclists caused a small cloud of dust.  As we approach the junction with West Ridge Loop Trail we soon reach the top of the ridge.  Hearts are pounding in chests, lungs are taking in huge amounts of extra air.

Betty has  shed a layer of clothes while Dorothy maintains a steady pace.

Can't get enough of those snow-capped mountains.

Then the payoff, looking west, the snow-covered face of Mt. Evans (14,254'). A magazine cover type beautiful monster mountain.  Cameras are out, shutters clicking again and again.  Due to an electronic malfunction in my large zoom lense, I am reduced to making class b shots.

Kathy reluctantly leaves her spot, after enjoying the best view during lunch in recent memory.  Hey Penny, you gonna sit there all day?

From here, trail snakes its way through a number of stands of Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir, then slices across small meadows.  Canopy today is varied from zero to maybe 60%.  Cloud cover and a mild breeze kept surface temperatures moderate.

A Pasque flower, one of the first to bloom in spring.

Since leaving the TH, we have been on trail less than two hours.  Just ahead is Vista Point, a 270+ degree view of the mountains to the west and northwest.  Mt Evans, has a series of cirques around it.  They are the deepest cirques in the Rockies.

View of Vista Point from Meadow View Loop Trail.

A great spot to rest, have lunch, enjoy the mid-day breeze and a brisk conversation with fellow-hikers.  Based on the fact they hike the majority of all scheduled hikes in a season, every person today is considered a core member of High Country Hikers.  How do we know that?  We had a relaxing lunch and were repacked, ready to return to trail in thirty minutes.

Judy, Ed, and Marilynn steppin out at a good pace.

With everyone in a relaxed mode, Gary2 took the group photo.  A few members didn't make the shot.  They were still soaking in the scenery at Vista Point.

High Country Hiker members: Front (L - R) Betty, Marsha, and Clietta; Standing (L - R) Marilynn, Dorothy, and Jonelle; Sitting Back Row (L - R) Judy, and Rochelle

On trail for the gradual descent back to Meadow View Loop Trail.  It's now after lunch, so it's no surprise that conversation turned to the question...Where is the best place to stop for Ice Cream?  The consensus, the place on main street in Morrison.

Ever see a bronze colored ball growing on a pine tree?  Marilynn checked it out up close.

Our final descent to the van is a gradual one, with some degree of concern for unexpected slippage on loose gravel or someone making a misstep on a rock.  The route today seemed short to some compared to many ACAA scheduled hikes.  In fact, the group hiked a total of 4.1 miles and accomplished total elevation gain of 837' on the day.

A parting image from the bridge over Bear Creek.  Hope the lone fisherman has luck today.