Wild Basin - Ouzel Falls

Although I don't do many solo hikes these days, yesterday reminded me how good it feels to be in the mountains by yourself.  It happened on a quick decision and it turned out to be a great day.

I arrived at the Wild Basin TH with plans to hike to Sandbeach Lake.  I decided to move on to the Wild Basin TH and hike to Ouzel Falls.  I would hike the morning with the sounds of water thrashing over rocks and boulders in North St. Vrain Creek.  Passing Copeland Falls, and Calypso Cascades on the way to Ouzel would be a bonus.

There is "Nothing" like being alone in the backcountry.  After 46 years of hiking, the mind does still play games when on trail.  The sound of a bear approaching from the rear...of course there is no bear when you look back.  The mountain lion crouched, ready to spring on you from that rock outcropping above you...there is no mountain lion either.  Two chipmunks playing on a log, just off trail...they are real.

Copeland Falls is running fast, a reminder that high elevation snow melt continues.  I can't get enough of the soothing sounds of rushing water to my left.  I lost count of how many times I stopped if only for a few seconds to totally absorb the smells, the sounds, the unique feeling of being alone in nature.

Does this scene beg the question, "Join me in the backcountry" or what?

I don't meet another hiker until close to Calypso Cascades.  A trail maintenance crew is working to build new log steps.  Suppose the pack mule train that got on trail while I was lacing my boots this morning may have brought food and supplies for the work crew.  I have seen 'The Cascades" running much fuller than today.

Trail becomes a bit more twisted as I gain elevation to Ouzel Falls.  The Aspen are at their golden peak today.  I thought I had seen these wonderful specimens in their full coat of gold at Kenosha Pass last week

Groves of golden Aspen welcome hikers at every turn of trail.

 Reach Ouzel Falls at 11 a.m. and take time to capture the constant mist coming off the house size boulders at the bottom of the falls with my camera.  For the next hour, I experience a form of therapy unlike any one might purchase in a salon back in Denver.

Watching water spew from out of nowhere at the crest of the falls, to it hitting the rocks in front of me, there is a kind of cleansing of the mind and sole going on that is difficult to explain.  If you have ever been in that environment, you know what I mean.

You hear the roar before you see the falls.

 A chipmunk determined to steal grapes from my pack and a Mountain Bluebird perched directly overhear waiting for me to drop a morsel of any food, were my guests for lunch.  They stayed for most of the hour I spent at the falls.

Nature at it's best!

 On trail back to the TH, I bid a number of hikers 'a good day.'  One couple from St. Louis, here on vacation, seemed excited to be in RMNP  As they approached, I asked the question, "Where are you guys from?" It usually provides a number of angles the conversation might go.  In minutes, I felt comfortable they were genuine in their love of the outdoors.  Telling them about the blog brought a surprise.  "I think I've seen this blog on line before," the man said.  They continued to Ouzel Falls with my card in his pocket.

Departing image of North St. Vrain Creek

 Not 20 minutes later,  a couple approached.  Again, I posed the same question.  "We are from St. Louis," the man said.  "No way." I responded.  Again, minutes later, they continued on trail with my card in pocket.  No, either couple, did not know the other.  I hope they met later that day.