RMNP - A Special Place

It was surprising and unusual to have empty seats on the van headed for one of the premier outdoor environments in Colorado.  For ten HCH members, however, it was a day to remember.

Longs Peak

I will attempt to explain some of the reasons not to EVER miss an opportunity to hike in the park.

Wildlife is one thing you expect to see when in any of our national parks.  In 2012, the High Country Hiker group encountered limited wildlife.  We are talking an occasional chipmunk scooting across trail, and the chatter of a squirrel high above in its nest someplace.  The only other two or four-legged animals included a few white tail deer.

Ed points to features across the meadow.

In terms of winged creature sightings, there were a number Grey Jays.  The birds are notorious for dive bombing a hiker on trail or like chipmunks, they will walk up to your backpack and check it out.  Some might call these members of the crow family ruthless the way in which they sit on a branch watching you.  Some movement - the extension of your arm with food in it I know is one - is an invitation for one to swoop down and try snatching it out of your grasp.  It happened while having lunch at Fern Lake.

Longs Peak, from the traverse on Beaver Mountain.

The only "Wildlife" we saw today was a herd of female elk (Cows) bedded down in a stand of pine trees as we entered Estes Park.  Approaching an intersection on the outskirts of town, a bull elk (Wapiti) was spotted making his way across a grassy area toward his harem.

Lehman and Marilynn hike through a stand of Aspen.

In terms of terrain, the park provides visitors a full range.  We experienced much of it during the hike on Upper Beaver Meadows Loop trail today.

We began at the Beaver Meadows TH, and headed north through a grassy meadow.  Trail soon turned west as it entered an area of dense spruce, and lodge pole pine.  Most of the 500'+ elevation gain on the day would be experienced in the next two miles.

The view during lunch.

That span took us on a traverse along Beaver Mountain reaching a max. of 9,250' el.  Except for a few low volume runoffs, and crossing Beaver Brook at 8,750' el., trail remained dry and solid all day.  Trail difficulty to this point was tame in terms of exposed rock and root growth.  No switchbacks on this loop were needed to reduce the level of difficulty.

Pat, Penny, Ed, and Bob head for the TH.

At about 2.8 mi., we came to a spot where equestrians would hitch their horses.  There is an overwhelming view from this spot of some of the parks most notable features including, Gable Top, 11,939'; Little Matterhorn, 11,586'; Knobtop, 12,331', Notchtop, 12,129'; Flattop, 12,324; Ptarmigan Peak, 12,363; Hallet Peak, 12,713; Otis Peak, 12,486; The Sharkstooth, 12,630'; and Thatchtop, 12,668'.

Yes...all that in one continuous span.  All that standing in one spot.  All that to process, to comprehend, if you can.

Towering over all those natural beauties is none other than Longs Peak, 14,259'.  Unquestionably, the most popular of all peaks in the park, in terms of hikers, campers, and backpackers, it is the only 14er in the park


It was a sunny October day, with wind gusts reaching up to 37mph.  Nobody seemed to mind the chill in the air, because they were in a special place.  There was no denying the views were incredible.  Images taken by a camera lens can not come close to capturing the rugged terrain, the imensity, and the astonishing dominance this peak has on the surrounding area.

Pat, Elizabeth, Penny and Bob enjoy the afternoon sun.

Pieces of that expanse could be seen through the trees, the remainder of the day.  Each, unique and beautiful.  In fact, there is a profound feeling of humility one gets while experiencing something like this.  What you have just seen is one of mother natures most elite creations.

Harold and Lehman share stories on approach to the TH.

Trail soon begins to descend to a point just over 9,150' el., where it meets with the Ute Trail.  From this junction, we begin the final leg of the loop, as trail follows Windy Gulch for the next 1.6m mi. back to the Upper Beaver Meadows TH.

Views of some of the peaks mentioned earlier in this piece could be seen all the way to the TH.  All you need to remember to do is stop, turn around, and a beautiful mountain will most likely be posing for you to admire.

Front kneeling (L - R) Elizabeth, Raheam, and Penny Standing (L - R) Bob, Lehman, Pat, Gary1, Marilynn, and Ed

Today, there was a full bucket of admiration to be had.

Total Miles = 5.7

Total Elevation Gain = 534'