life is short.. do something: 2006

Sunday, August 20, 2006

Twin Sisters

Distance: 3.7 miles one-way
Summit elevation: 11,428 feet
Trailhead elevation: 9,000 feet
Net elevation gain: 2,428 feet
Twin Sisters Trailhead
Rocky Mountain National Park

We decided that we wanted to snag one more mountain before heading home. Our bodies were all a bit fatigued from the last two days of hiking, but our will was too strong to let us go home just yet. While looking for the next mountain we came across Twin Sisters and thought that an elevation gain of 2,428 feet in just 3.7 miles of hiking would be a nice challenge. 3.7 miles of course was one way.
The mountain had a nice incline the whole way up, but this did not keep us from owning this mountain in no time. After taking a few dozen pictures and a few water breaks, we made it to the top in just ____________ minutes.

One of my favz

The trail

A beautiful view of Longs Peak

Saturday, August 19, 2006

Chasm Lake

Distance: 4.2 miles one-way
Lake Elevation: 11,760 feet
Trailhead elevation: 9,400 feet
Net Elevation gain: 2,360 feet
Longs Peak Trailhead
Rocky Mountain National Park
Junction of Chasm Lake and Longs Peak Trails (3.5 miles one-way from trailhead)

We began our hike at the Longs Peak trailhead. The air already seemed thin compared to our normal 900 feet above sea level air. The trail heads into the Goblin Forest which is covered in pines and aspens. The trail climbs very quickly in elevation for seven consecutive swithbacks.

Goblin Forest

View right before leaving the Goblin Forest

One of the many waterfalls

After the switchbacks, you will cross a beautiful waterfall and head above the tree line. Also...apparently if you see a horse, run from it because you will get struck by lightning.

The landscape will quickly change from your dirt path to a rocky path with alpine plants and underdeveloped pines. The trail is still very visible and easy to follow. At 3.5 miles from the trailhead, the Chasm Lake Trail splits left from the Longs Peak Trail. The Longs Peak Trail is yet another 3.5 miles after this split. At this point you will be able to see the infamous East Face of Longs Peak. The views up there are incredible and are very rewarding. The hardest part of this trek is now over. The trail continues along the side of a very large gorge in which lies Peacock Pond. The steep ledges that fall to Peacock Pond were some of my favorite views of the trip. Unfortunately, the weather decided to give us thick fog while we there as you will see in the pictures.

And no one thought we would catch fish...

Peacock Lake

Almost to Chasm Lake

The trail

Chasm Lake

Chef Zach

There's just something so good about Chef Boyardee and Ramen wrapped in tortilla in the mountains. Actually the tortilla's were the worst Ive ever had. Never get discounted tortillas!

schmeigel or tard?

Altitude sickness at its finest

Friday, August 18, 2006

Unknown Mt.

Estes Park has always been a place where my family has taken vacations. It is a beautiful park located 30 miles north of Boulder and is bordering the east skirt of the Rocky Mountain National Park. This year my brother and I, along with his wife Carissa and my friend Zach decided to go to Estes and make some memories of our own.

We headed up to Estes Park August 5, 2006. We set up camp at Mary's Lake Campground. Mary's Lake was a nice stay with good views, but at $30 a nite, it was a little expensive. We later discovered a more primitive camp site at the base of Long's Peak which I would highly recommend for a more secluded/primitive camping site.

After setting up camp we headed out to find our first "mountain" to conquer before the nite fell. Not to far from Mary's Lake we found this no name mountain to climb. We decided to climb this mountain straight up because it's more fun that way. The last time I climbed a mountain instead of using the trail was Mt. Lilly...enough said. The rain made this "easy" climb a bit harder than expected...the following are a few of the pictures of the climb.