12 replies to this topic

[Rhonda]

Hi everyone....I am a long time member and frequent reader of this forum and sometimes I put my worth in, but mostly I just read. Therefore I feel like I know all of you much better than you know me. I'm also a long-time member of the Trailhead and Rocky Weekly Photo, that's how I found this forum, and joined it very early in its creation. I also won one of DeeCee's early monthly contests on her website (and am right now looking at my framed prize, a picture of Longs Peak from Rock Cut). So I'm just an RMNP junkie from the word go. I first discovered RMNP in 1992 and have wanted to go nowhere else on earth since then. A few times I took vacations elsewhere but I always missed RMNP and wished I'd gone there instead. I think I've made about 9 or 10 trips back there since then, and am looking forward to another one this summer.

It started out as a family vacation spot. My son was 10 the first time we came, and he fell in love with it just like I did. We went back three or four times together as a family, but unfortunately my husband of 20 years left in 1999 and so my grown son and I started coming to RMNP by ourselves. We made three wonderful trips together in the last several years, one in June and two in late Sep.

Last year I took my first solo trip because my son got married, and it was so wonderful that I'm planning another solo trip this summer. I hiked Bridal Veil Falls and the Bear-Odessa-Fern one-way loop last summer and it was fabulous. I also took several other short hikes to get acclimated. I'm going to be staying longer this year, five full days (and I'm staying in one of Malok's Pinebrook cabins), and I'm already busy planning my hikes. However, my boyfriend (more friend than boyfriend - he's actually my first crush from jr. high and we have re-connected after 30+ years, but neither of us is interested in a serious relationship, we are just great pals and compansions), and he may decide to come with me. I think it's mostly because he's worried about me driving and hiking alone (he thinks a bear or mountain lion is going to eat me). He's not a hiker, or at least he never has been, so I'm a little worried about how much he would limit me if he comes along, so I'm actually sort of hoping he doesn't. However, I would also love to show him my beloved RMNP because I know he'd love it, too. He once lived near Leadville, CO and worked in a mine for a year in his adventurous youth, so he already has a love of the mountains. So I have mixed emotions about him joining me, but I'm going to have a positive attitude either way. If he does, I may not get to hike as much as I'd like, but it will be a new and different experience to show him my favorite place on earth.

I am a very "young" middle-aged woman (people never think I'm as old as I am, they think I'm at least 10 years younger, therefore I am not going to tell you my age because I don't want any pre-conceived notions), but I have had knee problems. I've had two surgeries in one knee, probably need surgery right now on the other one (torn cartilage) but am putting it off. I am in fairly good physical shape but always have to get acclimated to the altitude and strenuous activity since I have a desk job and don't get to hike much in Texas, especially with any altitude gain! I had no real problem last year on my solo hikes, but my knees have been bothering me a little more this year, so I'm going to have to play it by ear and see what they can handle.

Anyway....I want to take some of my old favorite hikes this year that I haven't done in a while, plus a couple of new ones. I'm thinking Bear-Dream-Emerald on the first day. Second day - Mills. These are hikes I've been on many times and I want to see them again since I didn't do them last year.

On the third day I think I will do Gem Lake, which I've never done before. And of course, interspersed among all these hikes, I take daily drives over TRR, and Fall River Road at least once, and trips to Grand Lake for ice cream - I even discovered the great Malt Ball Fudge last year because of Prof Hall's suggestion. I always try to walk around Sprague Lake, and visit Adams Falls, picnic at all my old favorite picnic areas along TRR or in Endovalley Picnic Area, take lots of sunrise and sunset pictures at my favorite spots. I don't let being alone keep me from doing the things I love to do, in fact I really appreciate and crave the solitude and spirituality I feel alone in RMNP. Last year I was up at dawn one day taking the most gorgeous photos and videos of low fog/clouds moving across Moraine Park in a way I have never seen before, and I felt like I was the only person on earth. It amazed me that I could feel such solitude and oneness with nature in a popular national park that some people say is crowded. I have always been able to find such peace and solitude there, and although I loved it when my son was with me (he feels the same way I do about it), I love it just as much alone. I'm sure Malok and Smudge and others know exactly what I'm talking about. I guess maybe it's a little unusual for a middle-aged woman from Texas to come all the way up there to be a loner in the mountains, but it's like a little trip to Heaven for me.

But what I would like advice on is this....On my fourth day I am thinking of hiking to another old favorite spot, Cub Lake, but instead of backtracking like I've always done before, I would like to take the loop around to The Pool and back to the Fern Lake TH. I have heard that the trail is very steep climbing from The Pool to Cub Lake, my son did it once when we split paths on a hike, but what is it like going from Cub Lake to The Pool? Is it also steep climbing, or is it more downhill? Since the section between Cub Lake and The Pool will be the only "new" part to me, I would be willing to forgo this one if a better option came up.

I'm also thinking about The Crater based on what I've read here lately, but I'm afraid it might kill my knees. Has anyone here had knee problems and hiked that trail? I'm worrked about the elevation gain in such a short span. Going down hurts more than going up, but I always hike with a cane or a walking stick to take some of the stress off my knees. However, I'd hate to get up there and go through extreme torture all the way down.

On my final day in the park, I would really love to try the Flattop trail. I don't know if I could make it, but I'd sure love to give it a shot. I think if I stopped and rested a lot, it might be possible. However, I have the same concerns here as I do about The Crater. Will my knees take it? Last year they did ok on the gradual descension to Odessa and Fern, but there were lots of leveled out areas to give them a rest.

Since I am going to be staying in Allenspark, I would also really like to do some Wild Basin hikes, but I will have to re-arrange my plans or else just do some short late afternoon hikes, maybe to Ouzel Falls, which I've been to many times. It's such a pretty area.

I was kind of curious about Finch Lake. Should I try to include it? Is it worth cancelling out one of my planned Glacier Gorge hikes or the Cub Lake loop for a new experience?

I would love to hear from any of you who want to give me your .

Thanks,
Rhonda

[michiganhiker]

Welcome aboard Rhonda! There are people here who can help you better than I can with hiking plans, but I've often dreamed of spending a week in RMNP by myself. I usually like to share experiences with other people, especially my wife and two kids, but in this case I could probably see and do more on my own. There's noone in my life who gets pumped as much as I do from hiking, mountains and the outdoors, so there's always a compromise to be made to do these things with other people. Usually I would prefer to do a little less but do it with my family . . . but with RMNP there's always that fantasy!

[misssilly]

Rhonda,

It was great to hear your story. RMNP started out as a vacation spot for me and my family when I was a kid back in 1980. 25 years later, it's more like home than anything. And I've never been married, but I've certainly done some hiking on my own in the park! In fact, in the past few years, I think only one of my hikes has been with someone -- that person being my dad. And his stride is so much longer than mine that keeping up with him was the hardest part of it all. We did Deer Mountain, it gave us an interesting perspective on the Horseshoe Park area. :)

Back to your questions. I think Flattop Mtn. Would be good. My hike up there a couple years ago got cut short because of rain, but the overlooks to Dream and Emerald Lake are good break points. I love hikes that give me a different perspective on "common" places. I don't know the trail between the Pool and Cub Lake -- I haven't done it either.

If your knees are an issue, might I suggest a west side hike? Take the Colorado River Trail up through that valley towards La Poudre Pass. It might be too long one-way for your day (7.5 miles) but the first few miles are realtively flat, and the scenery is great. But again, I'm partial to the Never Summer Mountains.

My favorite place to watch the fog on the mountains would have to be around the Lava Cliffs area on Trail Ridge. You're right in the middle of most of it up there. Very cool. :)

Jen

[Veik]

Sounds like you know us pretty well.

The hike to Flattop Mountain will be roughly twice as difficult as any of the other hikes your planning. Considering only length and elevation gain. If I remember right, the Flattop trail is non stop climbing. So the only break you'll get is to stop and spend some time looking around, which is fine. I don't think that any portion of the Flattop trail is as steep as sections of the Cub Lake trail though. Save that for your last day and give it a try.

I think that the trail between Cub Lake and the Pool is similar or maybe a little less steep as the section of the Cub Lake trail leading up to Cub Lake. If you hike Cub Lake as a loop including the Pool, Cub Lake is almost the highest point of the whole hike. So it's mostly down in both directions from Cub Lake.

[Andy]

I think Flattop would be a worthy goal. If you're there don't forget to examine all the views down into Tyndall Gorge - they're pretty stunning (like this one taken by Smudge). Another good hike would be up to The Loch in Loch Vale (start from the Glacier Gorge Trailhead). If you make it to Loch Vale and are feeling strong you could continue on to Sky Pond or Andrews Tarn. All these places provide stunning views.

Another challenging goal would be Chasm Lake. This would probably push you to your limit, but if you could make it you would be so glad you did. I think everyone here would agree that the place is absolutely magical. Even if you didn't make it to Chasm Lake, as long as you made it above tree line the views would be worth it.

Also, if you have trouble with your knees I highly recommend trekking poles. I don't have "bad knees" per se, but I find that trekking poles mitigate fatigue and soreness and also really help going uphill in uneven terrain.

One other thing - although you may be hiking solo, you'll never be alone in the park unless you get WAY off the beaten path. If you have friends/family that are concerned about you remind them that you will probably run into other hikers every five to ten minutes.

Edited by Andy, 25 April 2005 - 09:21 AM.

[Rhonda]

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice so far. I hope I'll receive others, too.

To Misssilly...I have hiked the Colorado River trail to Lulu City, that was one my son and I did a few years ago. I'm a little more into the open vistas and higher hikes, but I agree it is a beautiful and easy hike. That's why I also like the first few miles of Wild Basin, it's easy and so peaceful to walk beside the river.

Andy...I have done The Loch several times, too. It's one of my favorites.

I also know that I'm never really that alone on any of these hikes. That's what I keep telling my boyfriend, who has never hiked. He imagines me bushwacking through the wilderness for miles all alone with lions and bears stalking me, but I keep telling him I am very safe and a lot of good people would come along to help me if I fell or something. He said "Oh, I guess bad people don't hike in national parks?" I said, "I really doubt it." Haha. I'm sure some do, but I tend to trust RMNP hikers after all the years of meeting them on trails.

Would the trekking poles sustain my full weight? The reason I ask, I usually use my cane (leftover from my recovery of a broken leg in 1997) on hikes with much elevation because I can literally put all my weight on it as I step down on rocky paths and it saves putting weight on my knees. The trekking poles look kind of lightweight and limber, but maybe that's an illusion.

I plan to try Flattop toward the end of my visit. Chasm has always intimidated me, but I could always give it a try if I feel up to it and have the time.

There is never enough time at RMNP! That's why I should probably try to do new hikes each time instead of going back to old favorites, but when I do that I miss those old favorites. I try to incorporate both into each visit.

Thanks again to all of you,
Rhonda

[greg126]

I'd say if you can hike the Cub Lake trail you could do the Crater.

On the loop, I'd start at the Fern Lake trailhead end as I recall the uphill being more gradual - then you hit that steep spot on Cub Lake on the downhill.

Also, I may be confusing this with the Cub Lake - Mill Creek trail as we did that most recently but that Cub Lake to the Pool segment may be fairly uninspiring.

Wild Basin has some nice trails and, of course, is convenient to the Allenspark base.....Greg

[weatherbe]

Hi there Rhonda, sounds like you have a great plan. If you should need a weather outlook during your time, be sure and let me know. I'm happy to help out.

Weather

[Andy]

On the trekking poles - I weigh 185ish and I put nearly all my weight on them all the time. Precisely one of the reasons they are nice is that they are really light (compared to a Gandolf-style walking stick) and you can collapse them and attach them to your pack if you want to have your hands free. I have never had a problem with them and can only image one situation where I could possibly damage them - if you got them wedged in between two boulders and then applied a lot torque on the pivot point. I imagine it wouldn't be hard to bend them this way. Otherwise I consider them pretty bombproof.

I have a pair of Leki Makalu Ultralite Titanium Poles which I bought a couple of years ago for about $100. I don't think they make this model any more but an equivalent pair would be Leki Ultralite Ti COR-TEC. Personally, I wouldn’t get the anti-shock kind (they have a spring loaded section that compresses under weight) because I don’t want extra moving parts that could break. However, I know a lot of people that swear by those too. I also hear that Black Diamond makes nice trekking poles and they tend to be a little less expensive than Leki.

[ProfHall]

Is that $100 each or $100 for the pair? I know I've seen very pricey ones at a local outdoor/hiking equipment store...

[Andy]

Is that $100 each or $100 for the pair?  I know I've seen very pricey ones at a local outdoor/hiking equipment store...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

$100 for the pair.

[Rhonda]

I'm glad to hear others find that steep portion to Cub Lake a killer because I always thought so, too. It's listed as an easy hike, and it generally is, until you get to that moraine that you have to trudge up at the end. I always have to stop several times to rest.

If you say the portion between Cub and The Pool is uninspiring, I think I will skip this one altogether and try to do a new one instead, because that's the only portion that will be new to me.

Three months to go and I'm already getting so excited I can hardly stand it.

Oh, and Michiganhiker...I understand what you mean completely. I love my friends and family dearly, but RMNP is such a sanctuary to me that it's almost an intrusion to share it. I don't know if I'd feel that way about any other place on earth, but it's always like coming home to me each time I visit.

My son is the same way about RMNP, and he and I are both loners, so he was the perfect traveling companion for me, we gave each other lots of space and silence and often went our separate ways on hikes and met up later. We are both fanatics about picture taking, too. If I miss anyone while there, it's him, but for the most part I am completely content to be alone in my sanctuary with God.

And thanks Weatherbe, I may take you up on that offer, but I'm also a weather nut and a wannabe meterologist myself. I watch the Weather Channel like some people watch the Movie Channel.

Rhonda

[foxfire]

Rhonda M. I too use trecking poles. Usualy just use one and many times just for balance but putting your weight on them is OK also. I haven't ever used 2 yet but most certainly will take 2 in the future depending on the hike intended etc. etc. Possibly one strapped to pack until needed by partner or myself as need arises. Need such as maybe Flatop on over to Hallet. One never wants to spend toooo much, so while high end may not be nessisary, I would suggest paying somewhat more than low end and be sure to get good ones. Ask the experts about fetures, etc. I puchaced some nice antishock REI ones on sale for about $89.00. Good luck and have a great time !!!