One of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done!

While visiting with Doug and Mary, they suggested a hike to Gilpin Lake.

What I didn't realize was that it was a 9.7 mile out and back trail with a rise of over 2004 ft.! (I earlier told my family and friends it was 8.5 miles - I was wrong!

No wonder my legs were a little sore! But my eyes were not! It was easily the most beautiful hike I have ever done! At first you are traveling through aspen and pine forests full of wildflowers.

The wildflowers were amazing. I couldn't take pictures of all of them or I would have been there for days! Here are a few (in order): Downy Yellow Violets, Blue Alpine Phacelia, Bluebells, Glacier Lilies, A lone Glacier Lily in the sunlight, White Mountain Avens (2 pics), a Western White Trillium, Pussywillows, Western Marsh Marigolds and Shooting Stars. As I said, this is just a few of the many different flowers I saw.

The trail is well marked (except in one location - more on that in a second,) and passes many waterfalls, following Gilpin Creek as it rushes down the slope.

There were times when you had to hike

through a shallow stream as the trail had

turned into a waterway.

Other times the trail led through the snow. This is a minor example. I didn't get a shot

of a large snow field I had to hike through

at times wondering where the trail was and

only having the footsteps of others to show

the way!

At one point, the trail just disappears. It seems to end at a bog - which I am sure some think is the lake all dried up. Well, don't despair, you are only a mile away from the lake but have to either wade through a very deep section of Gilpin Creek or cross this set of logs! Good luck!

Once across the logs and up a steep set of switchbacks and a large snowfield, you come to the lake. I will let the images speak for themselves.

Stay tuned while I head to Rocky Mountain National Park for a horseback ride and a little exploration.