13 replies to this topic

[JDgreen]

Ok so here is your chance. I had the incredible opportuntiy to experience snowmagedon with a May ski trip in the park but due to a late harvest, family illness, collasped irrigation well, dry August, late developing crops, late deliveries of inputs, Dessa Lou's heat cycle ...... you name it we haven't made it back up. Lynda usually boots me out after wheat harvest but it was so late it just didn't happen. Soooo if the stars align and I figuratively work my tail off there is a chance I could spend more than 2 days in the park before our fall wheat seeding/harvest run starts on Sept 12.
I would appreciate any suggestions for some decent hikes, mind you I am old (52) , fat and slow. I have already done Lily lake, twice even. I am deathly afraid of heights but seem to be drawn to summit hikes. I have done the usual assortment of RMNP hikes including Twin Sisters, Estes Cone, Lily Mtn, Gem Lake, Flattop Hallett, -CY, that stooooopid steel bar on the Ledges, Chasm Lake, Chasm View/Camel Gully, Emerald, Dream, Hiyaha on skis and boots, Nympth, Bear, Black, Shelf, Solitude, Mills,Marv, Zone, Joyces's Pond, A few Knobs with Ed and Co, even a scary one, Mario Gulley and Dream Lake chutes with boards on my feet (absolute terror), Chaos Canyon with Ed leading, the Loch on skis and in hiking boots, and Mount AVC (last time I raced an obnoxious 12 year old that was goading his parents about being too slow, and won).
Anyway I welcome some suggestions even frivolous ones like around Bond Park, I like just enough exposure to keep me in the moment and not thinking about what I need to be doing on the farm. so there ya go, have at it!

[iceberg]

Well, I think the answer is obvious. There's nothing from Wild Basin on your list so that's where you need to go. Sandy O & I had a blast heading up from Bluebird to the saddle between Isolation & Mahana. Pipit Lake is beautiful, & the views from the saddle are spectacular. The only issue with going to Bluebird is the avalanche debris, which if you know the trail, it isn't difficult to get back on, just a pain to climb over NUMEROUS trees, but I can totally talk you through it if you're interested. Lion Lakes is also a fun area & the snow should be melted enough now to be able to negotiate all the way to Snowbank. I can help you with directions on that as well. Finch/Pear are dud hikes as far as I'm concerned so I wouldn't waste time on those. Sandbeach to the North Ridge is AWESOME, then you have the option of making it your destination, or continuing on to Chiefshead if you want a summit - although the views from the North Ridge are as good as a summit. Or you can go to Keplinger Lake which would take you past famed "Frolic Pond." I know all these area well, so if you have any questions or want more info, just let me know.

[dianeh85]

I didn't see Bluebird Lake, I suggest Wild Basin

[JDgreen]

Yes Wild Basin was a thought, I have done nothing there. I think Erik suggested it to me also one time.

Also wondering about reconnoitering the area near Ptarmigan Glacier and far up that cirque one can get this time of year. I want to ski that bowl.

Edited by JDgreen, 06 September 2011 - 12:09 PM.

[dianeh85]

Boulder Grand Pass!

[Midmccoy]

West Side?

[mwilson]

I'm glad it looks like you'll get away. As for being old, fat, and slow, I think that's a bit of an exaggeration. It sounds like you have gotten some good Wild Basin suggestions. I really liked our hike to Lion Lake, and it was enough for me, but then I'm older, fatter, and slower than you are, so you could do lots more! Have fun.

[hector]

Um, fat and slow? Who just took a 10 mile run the other day??

I agree with the others -- Wild Basin.

[Igloo Ed]

Obviously then you haven't done Mt. Alice...

[mirak]

Another vote for Wild Basin. So many great destinations. My all-time favorite is the Chiefs Head loop starting at Sandbeach TH, summiting Chiefs Head, then looping down through the Lion Lakes back to Wild Basin TH. Then there's the Mt. Alice summit via Thunder Lake. Again, I''d loop down through the Lion Lakes area. I would compare both hikes in difficulty to a Longs summit hike, but they're well worth it. If those are too much, I'd simply hke up to Lion Lakes or Bluebird Lake. It's too late for the peak wildflowers, but I still think they'd be great destinations.

[DeeCeeM]

Wild Basin would be my first recommendation, and East Inlet would be my second.

[JDgreen]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Now if I can get caught up enough to go.........Aaaaack!
still hoping tho.....

[Monica]

JDgreen, on 06 September 2011 - 08:28 PM, said:

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Now if I can get caught up enough to go.........Aaaaack!
still hoping tho.....

I hope it all works out for you, Jim. Have a great time in the park!

Edited by Monica, 07 September 2011 - 05:06 AM.

[JDgreen]

No big hike this trip but some good ideas for next time. I was hoping for a little more time but only got 2.5 days park time.