Dear, Deer Mountain

It was good to see all 14 seats on the van taken this week.  For the third consecutive week, our destination was RMNP.  After two top shelf hikes in a row to Crater, and Mills Lakes, Deer Mountain might not sound as awe..some.  But wait till you hear about it.

It was this hikers fourth trip to the summit, but it was no less challenging or spectacular than the first.  More of a physical challenge because of the 39# 7.5 oz. pack I was toting, (more later).

Ed turned off Trail Ridge Road just before 10:00 a.m., then eased the van into the last space big enough for a vehicle of some girth.

Everyone gathered at the trail head (TH) 8,920,' for Ed's WOW (words of wisdom) message, before heading for those long lazy switchbacks.  The lower part of this trail provided enough of a challenge to get the adrenalin flowing. If the physical part was no problem the visual grandeur surely became a keeper within 20 minutes on trail.  Take the lush green meadow known as Moraine Park.  The first benchmark of RMNP when visitors enter the park at Beaver Meadows Station.

Why do YOU hike?

Switchback after switchback causes the tiny images we know as people, vehicles, an elk, or a pocket of construction workers in their eye-catching vests become even smaller dots on the landscape, as we gain elevation..

One feature that never gets smaller is Long's Peak with it's distinctive summit.  Many on trail today would have a story to tell about Long's from personal experience, if you ask them.  

Marsha (in white) takes on another switchback,
followed by Jonelle, Kathy, Mark K., Nancy and Penny.

The next part of trail is a more relaxed (catch your breath section) and a relatively level walk through stands of ponderosa pine with just enough canopy to take a few degrees off the temperature guage.  After making a few turns, more switchbacks are in store, as we climb through more densely populated spruce and lodge pole pine.

Even now, one can catch a glimpse of horseshoe park through the trees and peaks to the northwest.

It can't get much better than this.

Looking for a meal for the family can be difficult.

While on the ascent, John Tedrick had a unique surprise.  "I climbed quite rapidly and steadily and paused for a break at the crest of a hill.  While catching my breath, a family of grouse nonchalantly scratched their way across trail.  The parents and three juveniles seemed unconcerned about my presence until I attempted to get closer. Then they would keep their distance from me.  Grouse are seldom seen in the high country, and it was a very memorable moment to see a whole family as they grazed through the forest," he told me later.  

A section you might call the "Thought you were at the summit, did ya" section, is when trail actually goes down a few tenths of a mile before leveling off at the junction with the spur trail to the Summit.  From here it's a .2 mi. up to the top...all of it long rock steps.  It does do one h_ _ _ -of-a job on the legs.  

Last push to the summit.

At 10,013' elevation, the summit is spacious with plenty of exposed rocks.  Many are good for planting yourself for as long as you want, and do nothing but soak in the view.  Or pick a crevice between two rocks and have lunch.  Beware of fast-moving critters, i.e. chipmunks.  They are desperate and will eat anything you drop.  One was caught nibbling on the green top to a strawberry.



If that is too mundane, walk to the edge, peek over the rocks, to find a series of ledges.  Pick one, they all have a certain degree of privacy.

Wish it was always this deserted up here.

Did I mention the view...ooohhh man, the view!  My guess, at any point along the west rim of the summit, you will be treated with no less than a 270 degree panorama

Feedback on today included the following:

"The hike was physically challenging to a level of absolute enjoyment.  I felt the group bonded on a fun level...lots of singing! 

The scenery was magnificent.  I felt an awesome relationship with the landscape which really is breathtaking!  As much as I enjoy and feel the beauty of the mountains...water has a comforting pull on me."  Johanna Cartledge

"I thought the trail was pretty flat with a few rocky places.  The last section..was the most physically challenging.  Thje only hikers I talked to were from Dallas, and they just loved the cool air in Colorado.

The view from the top was expansive.  You could see all the way from Lake Estes to the "Y" camp and beyond.  Great hike, not a difficult hike with a great reward at the end."  Al Akell

Avid hiker Dorothy (in green), will soon be making her last hike with the High Country Hikers.  Happy Trails, Dorothy.

NOTE:  On the return trek, a number of HCH members struck a conversation with hikers who are friends of Patricia Wallace of Lafayette.  According to the Denver Post, the 74-year-old hiker with the early stages of dementia, became separated from her friends on the Buchanan Pass Trail near camp Dick campground, in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, last week.  She has not been found at this writing.

Total Miles = 6.0

Total Elevation Gain = 1,093'