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| John Tedrick and Joe Jackson leave the TH for the Loch. |
Was it the lure of RMNP that filled all 14 seats on the van this week? Granted, it is a popular tourist site. Over 3 million people visit the park annually. One of the most heavily visited trailheads is Glacier Gorge, where we are going. Unless you arrive before 6:30 a.m., and have the entry fee waived, you are likely to be forced to park in the Park-N-Ride lot off Bear Lake Road as we did.
"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Road construction coming into Estes Park caused us to take an alternate road arriving about 10:30. The line of people waiting for a shuttle bus evaporated quickly as we boarded the second bus to arrive.
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| Angela Howard and Penny Geise move up trail and by glacial knobs rock outcropping. |
It's been three years since my last visit to this magnificent spot in RMNP. The Loch is one place I can never get enough of. The combination of deep glacial valleys, the fast-moving waters of Glacier Creek, and the ever present snow fields along the way make this hike one of my all-time favorites.
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| Long view of Glacier Gorge from Glacier Gorge trail. |
At the TH, Ed made sure everyone was accounted for before stepping on trail. The first half mile one must understand will be crowded, regardless of what day it is. A group of 14 hikers all in a row normally is a tad bit intimidating to other day hikers. That is to say, if we were to allow solo hikers, couples and families to pass the group, as we often do, it tends to keep traffic moving in both directions. Those same hikers are normally younger and hike at a faster pace than the HCH group.
"One touch of nature makes the whole world kin."
William Shakespeare
Minutes into the hike, I am feeling the excitement of moving through this unique place. As I look up through the trees, traces of blue, grey, magenta, and white, stare back...I am surrounded by the massive walls of Glacier Gorge itself.
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| Joe Jackson on a switchback far up the gorge. |
The bridge over Glacier Creek is the spot to remind ones brain to absorb as much as one can of the next few hours. The landscapes, the sounds, the entire experience is to be savored.
Trail bounces along Glacier Creek, then veers away only to return running parallel with the tumbling creek waters, before arriving at Alberta Falls.
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| Nancy Bralic is enthralled by the view from trail. |
Here, trail bends away from the shear edge of the deep cavern cut out by the falls. This day, water from Andrews Glacier (Creek) and Taylor Glacier (Icy Brook) explodes from atop the rock ledge of the falls.
"The clearest way to the universe is through a forest wilderness."
John Muir
The site is easily accessible for hikers. Thousands of people each day take selfies while standing mere inches from the falls. Many climb over rocks beside the towering falls as an added challenge. Cameras are a must.
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| Angela Howard makes her way up slope high above the floor of the gorge. |
It's hard to leave this place although the sound of thrashing water can be heard for some distance up and down trail.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."
Lao Tzu
We reach the junction with North Longs Peak Trail before heading southwest as we ascend a small gorge between Thatchtop Mountain (12,668') and rock formations called the glacier knobs (10,225').
Just over an hour after leaving the TH, my neck is aching and I know why. I've been looking up at the towering slopes of Glacier Gorge. To my left, snowfields dot the higher elevations surrounded by rock outcroppings millions of years in the making.
"The wisdom of nature speaks to the heart, and nature's first language is beauty."
Tim McNulty
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| Penny, and Angela watch as fellow HCH members move across a snow field. The Loch peeks out in the distance. |
The final approach to The Loch begins with a slow and deliberate short trek across a massive snow field. Estimated to be 6' deep at its center, the firmly-packed snow covers a wide area across trail.
My poles are firmly planted with each step I take, as I ladder step my way up and over the snowfield. Although it is June 30th, mid-day air here is such that it will not melt this thick white blanket all summer. In fact, there is snow leading almost to the edge of the water of the Loch itself. Finally, exposed rock replaces the white stuff to allow hikers to once again feel safe and secure on a dry surface around the water.
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| Penny carefully steps across the snow field. |
Then...there it is...The Loch. This Tarn (mountain lake excavated by a glacier) is one of many such bodies of water in the area. It is one of the most dramatic landscapes in the park.
"How strange that nature does not knock, and yet does not intrude."
Emily Dickinson
As I scan from side to side, the landscape seems magical somehow. Mistical, like a scene from The Hobbit, or Harry Potter or maybe Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia.
Images in this article only provide readers a glimpse of this magnificent cathedral of nature, No camera can capture the full scope and grandeur of this collection of mother natures handiwork.
After loading the chip in my Canon Rebel XT to near capacity, it is time to recinch my day pack and start for the TH.
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| Nancy Hensley and Alla Vigderman at the Loch. |
It may be 3 more years before I return here but I will return. Because beyond the Loch, there are places I have not visited like, Embryo Lake, Timberline Falls, Glass Lake and Sky Pond. Another trail beyond the Loch leads to Andrews Creek Campsite and Andrews Glacier.
"Man's heart away from nature becomes hard."
Standing Bear
The return trek to the TH as always provides one a different perspective of all the wonderful sights seen earlier in the day. That is if one stops to take notice.
As we make our way out of the Gorge, people are still making their way up to the Loch. Many appear to be unprepared for a day hike...no obvious sign of drinking water, rain gear, or sun block. Many are not wearing closed toed shoes or sturdy boots.
Within the week, a 21-year-old climber from Alaska fell while on Thatchtop Mtn. and had to be rescued after spending a night on a ledge at high elevation.
Total Miles Completed = 5.9
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| Front (L to R): Angels Howard, Kathy Tedrick, Alla Vigderman, Nancy Hensley, Marsha McBurnett, John Tedrick and Joe Jackson. Back Row (L to R): Gary2 Alleman, Jonelle Bidwell, Angela Howard, Penny Giese, Ed Blum, and Luiusa Sandoval. Not shown, Gary1 Merical. |
On the bus, this day is far from over as one member of the group familiar with the area called ahead to a place this group has not been to before. The Baldpate Inn, off CO. highway 7, outside Estes Park, is a diamond in the rough. The B & B is built on the side of a mountain. The slope begins directly outside the dining room window.
As we enter the dining room, a tray of slices of assorted pies capture our attention. As we are seated, the waitress explains all pies are made from scratch daily on the premisis. Selection includes peach, blueberry, apple, key lime, pecan, and cherry.
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| Penny, Nancy H., Alla, Ed, and Marsha enjoy one last experience on snow. |
The rustic B & B first opened it's doors in 1917. It touts an award-winning (Frommers Colorado Guide) restaurant, an outdoor live theater, plus something you would never guess to be in this setting. A Key Museum. Yes, one entire room is dedicated to the display of over 30,000 keys...door keys.
There are antique door keys, hotel keys, house keys, keys from all 50 states, plus many from around the globe. Considered the largest collection of keys in the world, it includes a key from the Pentagon, Westminster Abby, and Mozart's wine cellar.
Keys hang from every inch of the ceiling, walls, under glass, in frames, on velvet, hanging from twine, ribbon, and rawhide. A young Baldpate Inn employee and resident historian led the group on a tour of the museum, explaining it's origin.
The Inn was named after the mystry novel 'Seven Keys to Baldpate' by Earl Derr Biggers. To check out the Baldpate Inn, go to: www.baldpateinn.com
"I believe in god, only I spell it nature."
Frank Lloyd Wright
NEXT WEEK: Colorado Trail at Little Scraggy. This 6-mile o&b outing follows Bear Creek. Pack a lunch, rain gear, and a minimum of 32 oz. of drinking water. Dress in layers and wear comfortable hiking boots.
High Country Hikers group members are encouraged to promote the group by displaying a patch on their day pack and/or fleece or windbreaker. Patches are available from the author at $9.00 each.
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