Hike to Cub Lake - Fern Falls (RMNP)

It was a wonderful day to be in the mountains.  Partly cloudy skies, a light breeze, and moderately challenging terrain, all of it to be enjoyed.

After a quick pit stop at Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, and a brief wait in a line of park visitors at the entrance station, we arrived at Cub Lake TH (8,000' el.) about 10:00 a.m.  From here, the spur trail leads .5 mi. across Moraine Park, crossing two bridges, on the way to a junction with Cub Lake Trail. This well worn path is loaded with exposed and loose rock plus some wet areas.

A fly-fisherman on Big Thompson River.

The mini roller coaster-type path provides hikers a close experience with the parks' Montane eco-system (consisting of pine forests and mountain meadows), one of three eco-systems in the park.  The other two are Subalpine (between 9,000 and 11,400 ' el.) and Alpine (above treeline).

Preview: Cub Lake-Fern Falls

High Country Hiker Group
Tuesday, May 28th.
Bus leaves ACAA at 8:00 a.m. sharp

This loop hike begins at the Cub Lake TH (8,037' el.), located at the west end of Moraine Meadow, in the heart of RMNP. Watch for herds of elk as we make our way through Moraine Meadow.  It is a popular TH any day of the week and the parking lot is not large.  A last chance pit stop should be made at Beaver Meadows Entrance Station because there are no facilities at the TH.

Trail begins directly from the parking lot and remains relatively flat as it leads .5 miles across Moraine Park, to a junction with the South Lateral Moraine Trail.  We will follow this trail for 2 miles.  In that span, look for beaver ponds, as trail parallels the runoff from Cub Lake.

As we approach Cub Lake, have cameras ready for a number of exciting photo ops.  Remember, you are in one of the nations most scenic national parks.  At the west end of the lake we will be hiking on The Pool/Cub Lake Trail another .7 miles to the Pool.  From there, Fern falls (8780') is about .5 miles more before lunch.

Remember to bring sunscreen (SPF 30 or more), and use it.  Canopy on this hike will be 30% tops in the morning and up to 80% on the return.  Regardless of the temperature in Aurora, you can count on it being 10 to 15 degrees lower in the park.  Add a steady breeze and you will be glad for a light fleece or thin windbreaker. 

After lunch, we will be returning to the Fern Lake TH via the Fern Lake trail.  There we will hitch a ride on the park shuttle bus back to the van.

     

Hike to Balanced Rock - RMNP

A full (14) bus again of High Country Hikers made its way to the Lumpy Ridge TH (7,882') just off Devils Gulch Road, north of Estes Park, Colorado.  After arriving at the parking lot about 9:40 a.m., many hikers donned a light fleece, while others slipped on a wind shell.  A few slipped on a pair of gloves to insulate their hands from the chilly morning air.

Like most RMNP trails, Gem Lake Trail can be an interstate highway in terms of the number of hikers one might find on a given day.  Today was one of those days.

A Lifetime Teaching the Benefits of Physical Activity on Health

The year, 1946, started a wave of humanity the world had not previously experienced.  That wave of 78 million newborns, became known as the baby boom generation.  Linda Kelly is a member of the demographic bulge that proved to be the most active, and most physically fit generation to date.  Boomers like Linda, have remodeled society as they pass through it.  This is her story.

Nutrient Tag - A Game for Life

The third life story in a series on this blog titled "Inspiring Profiles," readers were introduced to Linda Kelly, a woman who spent her career teaching physical education to children in the Boulder School District.  Now in retirement, she remains a woman with a passion to make a difference.  One who never stops learning, and applying what she has learned to educate children at an early age (second and third graders) about the importance of exercise and maintaining a healthy diet.


Linda developed the game of Nutrient Tag to teach kids the importance of nutrition, and have fun while learning.

The concept is to teach kids the five basic elements of nutrition.  Those elements are protein, carbohydrates, fat, water, and vitamins and minerals.

In the game, each element is given a color.  Each nutrient has a sign associated with it.  With a class of 25 students, 5 are designated as nutrient givers.  One is designated the nutrient thief.  Each player has a number of colored foam balls representing the 5 nutrients.


The game is based on the old dodge ball game (tag) and reinforces the knowledge of the five basic nutrients and an understanding of what they do to supply nutrition to the body.

Needed to Play:

• Five (5) buckets - One each of red, orange, yellow, green and blue.
• Pinnies: 5 of one color, and 1 of a different color.
• Foam Balls:  5 each of five colors - red, orange, yellow, green and blue.

Preview: Balanced Rock

High Country Hiker Group
Tuesday, May 21st.
Bus leaves ACAA at 8:00 a.m. sharp

The Gem Lake TH at 8,650' el., starts from a paved parking lot.  Trail offers hikers an easy to moderate start before it gains elevation to Gem Lake.  This is a popular trail with flatlanders visiting the park.  You may meet people from all parts of the country any day of the week.

Trail wanders through stands of Ponderosa and Lodgepole pine.  The elevation gain will get your heart thumping but nothing that will cause your thighs to burn out of control.  A stretch of log and rock steps will be the primary mode to take hikers to Gem Lake.

A hiker climbs a section of log steps.

You may want to stop at a unique feature on this hike.  Just before the lake, a pit toilet is perched on the edge of the slope overlooking the grand peaks of RMNP. 

There are some sections of trail where runoff is flowing directly down trail.  Try your best not to make a new path. Walk on the edges of running or standing water.  Sturdy hiking boots are recommended today.
  
There are areas of devastating pine beetle kill but don't be discouraged,  there is plenty of wonderful scenery and many spots to stop and capture the beauty of the Park.

Gem Lake Trail continues past the lake to a junction with Balance Rock Trail.  From there, it's only one mile to Balanced Rock.  Trail has some ups and downs but is tame compared to the climb hikers made to get to the lake.

Balanced Rock is located at 8,805' el., and is likely to be the site for lunch.  

Canopy on this hike is 90% or better.  Be sure to apply sunscreen (SPF 30+) before you leave the TH and again throughout the day.  Pack rain gear and adequate water.  Hikers are encouraged to use their poles on the descent.  Many log and rock steps are high and deep.  Poles can take up to 30% of the impact to knees and ankles, if used properly.  Enjoy the hike to Balanced Rock.

Total miles = 7.6

Total elevation gain = 1,260'

Rawhide Trail - White Ranch Park

Compared to the weather and temperatures over the past few weeks, today was ideal - temperature, 90 degrees; 9 mph winds; 20% chance of rain - for hiking.  Little time was wasted at the TH as the group of 13 High Country Hikers began a day on the Rawhide Trail.

Scene from Rawhide Trailhead.

Within White Ranch Park visitors can enjoy 20 miles of trail with a difficulty rating of moderate. 

Rawhide is a multi-use trail, and home to many avid mountain bikers, of whom we did see a number of today, and equestrians, off which there were none.

This loop hike was done counter-clockwise, trading a long steep climb for a long moderate climb at the end of the day.  Thanks Ed!

Hikers climb over rocks on the back side of Rawhide Trail.

The well-used trail bed was dry.  Few loose rocks and exposed roots and little erosion, making it an enjoyable and safe hike.  The group was all core members except one first-timer.

Beehive Cactus

It is a bit early for blooming wildflowers, however, a lone Beehive Cactus was spotted, and lots of Sticky and Pineywoods Geranium covered the sunny slopes of White Ranch.  Views of canyon buttes and red rock formations on the back side of the loop, plus a number of excellent views of the Denver skyline in the distance.

Trail meanders across grassy hillsides.

The park was a commercial Hereford cattle ranch until 1969, when the White family gifted the property to Jefferson County Open Space Foundation.  It is one of many gems in the web of trails offered to visitors.

The site for lunch was in a picnic area, dotted with Ponderosa Pine and fir trees, on the back side of the loop.

A "Pleasing Fungus Beetle" (Erotylidae), common in Colorado, checks out lunch.

Hikers were able to walk in small groups as trail led to a service road on the home stretch.  A stop in Golden for coffee and ice cream capped a wonderful day on trail.

Total miles = 4.8

Total elevation = 1,312'

Total calories burned = 832 (according to Kathy's IPOD App.) 
    

Preview - White Ranch Park

High Country Hiker Group
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
5 mi. RT/700' el.g.
Bus leaves ACAA at 8:00 a.m. sharp.

The west side parking lot of White Ranch Park is where this hike begins.  Pit toilets are located a few hundred yards from the TH. Elevation starts at 7,505' and gains are modest throughout the day.  Maximum elevation gain of 700' for the day.  Trail difficulty rating is moderate.

Trail bed is dirt with a few areas of small gravel. This is a popular spot for hikers, which translates to a well worn trailbed, wide in places and a mere single file path in others.  Trail flows over ridges and through grassy meadows with nice views of the eastern plains and the Denver skyline.  A portion of trail follows a service road.

View from trail.

We may encounter dog walkers and bikers from up or down trail, so be prepared to step off trail when either is spotted.   In fact, a number of web sites claim White Ranch is the place for mountain bikers to hone their craft.

Canopy is sporadic at best with an estimated 30-40% of trail having some form of cover.

The temperature is expected to be warmer than recent weeks so there may be opportunities for wildlife sightings early morning.  Grassy meadows may have some early wildflowers in bloom i.e spring beauty, and Pasque flower.  If you have a Colorado wildflower book, you may want to throw it in your pack, because there may be a few surprises.

This area was a large cattle ranch until 1969.  A number of antique farm implements including a plough, field mower, and a seeder close to the TH are reminders of how farming was done.

The sun will be out so bring - AND USE - sunscreem, SPF30 or greater.  It's also a good idea to pack a light outer shell to further protect your arms.  Wear a hat. 

 

Mt. Falcon - East TH

The parking lot was buzzing with hikers, trail runners, dog walkers and at the end of the day, a lone unicyclist.  Yes, a man hopped on a unicycle and peddled by us as we were approaching the parking lot.  I swear the guy was older than most of the people in our group...ONLY IN COLORADO!

Marcia and Penny are silhouetted against the late morning sky as they take a rest beak on trail.

We began the day, on a trail named Turkey Trot, a hiker only, 1.7 mi. path zig zagging from switchback to switchback up the 900+' slope to a junction with Castle Trail.  From there hikers climbed another 1.2 mi. to a shelter with a picnic table.

Castle Trail is a multi-use trail open to bikers, and equestrians as well.  The biker community was out in large numbers today.  In fact there were arguably more bikers than hikers on trail.  A huge amount of respect goes to the men and women who use trails like this to train for upcoming cycling events.

Preview: Mt. Falcon...East TH

High Country Hiker Group (HCH)
Tuesday, May 5, 2013
Bus Leaves ACAA at 8:00 a.m. Sharp

The hike scheduled for Lion Gulch is postponed till later in the season due to snow.  The hike this week, originally scheduled for April 23rd., will be at Mt. Falcon.

The east side TH is located off Highway 8.  There is a Jiffy John beside the dirt parking lot.

The trail bed is dirt with some areas of exposed and loose rock.  It is a popular trail due to the "Hiker Only" designation.  The hike will begin on the 1.7 mi. Turkey Trot trail which follows the rolling hills arouind Mt. Falcon park and offers hikers nice views of the surrounding terrain.  Turkey Trot Trail meets Castle Trail, which takes hikers to highlights of the Park including John Walker's Summer White House ruins, and the Walker mansion ruins.

Scene from Turkey Trot Trail.

The other trails in the Park are multi-use trails so be prepared for bikers, trail runners, dog walkers and equestrians.  This hike will be familiar to some core members of HCH.  Either way, use proper trail etiquette when runers, bikers, or equestrians approach from the rear or the front.  Step off trail and allow them to pass.      

Canopy will be sparse with an approximate max. of 30% of trail.  Lunch will likely be at a spot with some elevation to allow for good views of the surrounding terrain.

We will hike approximately 5.6 mi. R.T. with 900' el.g., on this hybrid loop hike.  Temperatures will be mild so dress accordingly.  A wicking layer next to your skin, and a light fleece for insulation, might be all you need today.  Do pack rain gear, regardless.  There is NO SNOW so no need to pack YaxTrax.

See you on trail.