24 replies to this topic

[dianeh85]

Bill and I decided to give our camper one more outing seeing as the weather has been absolutely spectacularly beautiful and warm. We arrived at Moraine Park at noon, unloaded the camper and arrived at the Steep Mountain trailhead at 1230. The trip per Lisa is 1.2 miles one way with a 1,358 foot elevation gain. Per our GPS it was 1.4 miles with a 1,109 foot elevation gain. Bill had dropped our GPS off at the peak as we hiked over to view Cub, so that little jaunt was not included in the mileage. Not much difference. We started out at the Hollowell trailhead and hiked straight toward Steep Mountain, about 0.4 miles in, just as the trail turns south we started up the mountain.



We hiked pretty much straight up the mountain until we reached a the rocky top, about one mile up, then hiked along the rocky ridge line up toward the summit.

Edited by dianeh85, 08 November 2010 - 09:31 AM.

[dianeh85]

The vistas from the top were great, the temperature was about 60 degrees, a little wind, few clouds. such a great day to be alive!



We hiked a little past the summit to get a glimpse of Cub Lake

Edited by dianeh85, 07 November 2010 - 08:43 PM.

[dianeh85]

Looking toward the west




Toward Glacier Gorge



Looking toward Ute Mountain

Edited by dianeh85, 07 November 2010 - 08:49 PM.

[Aaron]

Glad you guys got the camper out for one more adventure Thanks for the pics and the report

--Aaron

[dianeh85]

Here I am doing a supurb job of blocking Cub Lake



We had a most enjoyable day, short steep hike, excellent workout and the day couldn't have been more perfect. On the way down we came across a snowshoe hare, the first I had ever seen. It appeared to have only one ear? It sat for about 5 minutes as we snapped about a million pictures of it hoping that one would focus on it and not on the tree limbs in front of it. It was large and fluffy and didn't move a muscle. I wondered if it was OK, it sure looked healthy

[dianeh85]

[dianeh85]

A couple more beautiful views from the top!





and descending into Hollowell Park

[soatley]

What a nice report. The views are great. I especially liked the shot of Cub Lake that you weren't blocking.

Sandy O

[Allie]

Wonderful photos, and looks like you had a great day for hiking, Diane. That poor bunny, but he/she does look healthy. Like the old tree stump photos alot.

[Igloo Ed]

Thanks Diane, I like the map and graph as well as all the pictures. Glad you had a great weekend.

[dianeh85]

Forest Canyon between Ute Mt and Stones Peak. Is that whole Mountain Stones Peak? I guess Stones Peak has two peaks, the one to the north is just a little lower than the actual peak to its south west? Or maybe the peak to the north is unnamed?


I find this stuff fascinating!!!!

Edited by dianeh85, 08 November 2010 - 09:35 AM.

[dianeh85]

We had made plans to meet Ed at Moraine after his/our hikes. Ed climbed Flattop Saturday and then strolled over to Hallett. He met some people on the trail and had a great day from what he told us. I am very jealous of his hike on such a beautiful day. Unfortunately for us we are not early risers. Ed came to our campsite Saturday afternoon and we sat and chatted for several hours. Good times indeed. Ed got to witness the exceptionally offensive language and annoying ploys of our immediate eastern neighbors. They were of a different planet or at least a very different lifestyle. They managed to keep the campsites all around them vacated, running off a family with two children, because they were of a special breed that chooses to live an inane and somewhat desperately manical lifestyle. After Ed left for the evening bad went to worse and we and several others in adjoining campsites notified the authorities. The very nice park rangers came and realized they were in over their heads, the Estes Park police came and carted off the offending campers. Very frustrating evening and of the many times we have stayed at Moraine Park, this was definately a first. The next day I awoke at 6 am, peeked out our bedroom window and watched the alpenglow off the diamond of Longs along with a blue/purple/pink sky. I thought of getting out of bed, getting dressed and going outside to take some pictures....then I thought of just peeking my head out the door and snapping a few...then I rolled over and went back to sleep :). I had prepared our camper bed with 6 blankets,and we were hot all night and the furnace didn't even kick on. Such unusual temperatures for November at 8,000+ feet. Long leisurly breakfast, lots of coffee and we left for home. There was a storm rolling in over the mountains as we hit Loveland

Between Loveland and Fort Collins, looking west, we couldn't even see the mountains




but to the east:

Edited by dianeh85, 07 November 2010 - 11:25 PM.

[Monica]

Great report and photos, Diane. How great that you can camp and hike well into fall.
Sorry about the horrible neighbors, but glad the rangers and police took care of it.

[mistylady]

You sure had wondeful weather for your hike. Fall has lasted a long time in the mountains this year. I'm glad you were able to get out for one last camping trip; but, what a shame that you had to be next to some nasty campers. I think the gorgeous morning you discribed helped to make things a lot better. Great pictures of Steep Mountain.

[Janine]

Beautiful photos & great report!