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.