9 replies to this topic

[renate1]

For our 3rd day in Estes, my husband, daughter and her friend decided to stay in town and relax while my son, his girlfriend and I decided to head up Flattop. I was wanting to start early as I really wanted to head over to Notchtop and Knobtop from the Flattop summit but my hiking partners wanted to sleep in, so we didn't hit the trail til 7am ( I figured I would enjoy my family this trip as I can hike when/where I want at the end of this month). This was a really fun hike and I enjoyed all the views along the way. Definitely one I'll have to repeat in the future. Since my trip out to Rocky last year, I've been really working on my "cardio" and was gauging if anything had changed in my pace. Well with my Nebraska lungs the uphill part was about the same pace - took us 4 hours to summit - but I really noticed a difference going down - in the past it's taken me almost as long to go down as to come up - say for this hike it would have been around 3.5 hours to get down - well even with messing around on the snowfield a little we were back to the trailhead right at 2 hours after leaving the summit, so that made me feel good :)

Bear Lake - it was completely calm on this morning


Otis, Thatchtop and Longs


Some of the Glacial Knobs and Mills


Otis - kept looking this guy over as I knew Ed will be working my butt off going up that in a few weeks


My son and his girlfriend at Dream Lake overlook


Me chilling at the Emerald Lake Overlook - my husband says this picture creeps him out - something about the space - I just think he doesn't like my shoes :)


Ran into some Ptarmigin and their chicks. This one liked to pose

[renate1]

Longs


My son cresting the trail


My son and his girlfriend heading up the snowfield


Fairchild Hagues and Mummy


Tonahutu Trail


I had promised people back in Nebraska I was going to make a snow angel - not the most flattering pic but it was fun!


Emerald Lake from the overlook

[Rhonda]

What beautiful views! I love the one of Longs where the clouds mimic its shape. I hope I can someday be in good enough shape to hike up Flattop.

[mwilson]

Looks like a wonderful day!

[Allie]

Wonderful photos, and such a pretty day.

[John]

Woo hoo for frolicking in the snow!

[Twinebender]

Way to go on getting in shape, Keep it up and you'll be hiking with Al.
I'm sure the snow angel shot is making many people jealous with all this hot weather.
I love the shoe shot, great colors on Emerald.

[mistylady]

Great report! Looks like a perfect weather day for your hike. We hope to try to get back up to Hallet in September. Way to go getting in shape to be able to improve your hiking skills.

[renate1]

Thanks guys! I love exercising.........problem is I also love eating

[Scrapinator]

Great report. Love the shot of the Ptarmigan!...and snow frolicking!