23 replies to this topic

[Igloo Ed]

Over the years, I've offered to take my bookkeeper on an easy stroll into the woods and she finally decided to take me up on it after reading my trip reports the first thing when she gets in to work.
It worked out great that Terry/Paul and Grannyheart/Bob could join us too on how long of a hike, I had no idea. Granny said she wasn't as strong as she used to be, I'd never hiked with Terry/Paul or Berni (my bookkeeper) and I figured it'd be good to just enjoy ourselves and see how far we made it. We moved along a bit slower than my usual pace but it was very enjoyable with the conversation that quickly developed and lasted through the day.
We headed off towards Zone Lake and stopped a few times to take pictures and enjoy the views but it didn't take long at all and we were at Zone Lake:


We spent some time looking around the lake before we headed on towards Joyce's Pond. There was the usual mud spot and wet marshy areas too but everyone was enjoying experiencing them. It seemed that we were at Joyce's before we knew it:


Granny just couldn't wait to get on her favorite frolicing rock and Terry was right behind her:


It was real nice to see that everyone was enjoying themselves and still had plenty of stamina to continue on so we headed up to Beautiful Lake Marv (so pretty) via a steeper route than I normally take. We came across the Haiyaha/Mills Junction trail part way up the hill and noticed that they had done a lot of work on the trail. They have put in rock steps on a steep section of the trail and the steps didn't seem to be so big like some are.

[Igloo Ed]

We traveled on the trail some 100 ft. before heading up the hill again. I was impressed that we went right up that steep hill and only stopped a couple times at some good view points.
We soon reached the swamp that brings so much anticipation, knowing that Beautiful Lake Marv is just around the corner to the left:


Around the corner and getting close to the top of the swamp was nearly more excitement than we could handle but we knew it was just a bit further to
Beautiful Lake Marv:


Luckily, we didn't all run and have heart attacks with the overwhelming excitement but we took time to enjoy the last of the swamp before coming up on Beautiful Lake Marv:

So, so pretty!

For some reason I didn't take any more pictures but we were all feeling so good that after a snack we headed up the West Glacial Knob (#8) and had a long lunch while enjoying the cool fall day sitting in the sun.
We headed down off the knob via the steep direct route that took us down to the route we'd come up but we crossed over it and headed down the easy way that I normally come up. We followed that route until we reached where we had turned off for Zone earlier in the day.
We all stopped for coffee in Estes before heading home and I received lots of thank yous. Berni commented that she liked all my friends as we drove down the canyon.

[renate1]

Looks like a great day to be in the mountains.

[John]

You introduced me to these ponds/lakes also, and I'm very thankful. It's an amazing area in the park.

[jflo]

I'd love to hike to all those with you someday Ed!!! Thanks for sharing!!

[Rhonda]

Looks like a fun day.

[mistylady]

Thanks for posting about our trip with you. I am having issues downloading to photobucket so can't get my pictures up yet. But, oh my, did we ever have the best time ever! It was our first time off-trail and we really enjoyed the quiet and peacefullness of the hike. I have read reports about all those lakes and ponds and so wanted to experience their beauty. They exceeded my expectation But, most of all I really enjoyed hearing your stories and was amazed at your knowledge of the area. And the knob!! Just gorgeous - I could have stayed there all day. It was so peaceful and relaxing up there - it felt like we were the only people in the park. And what a great group to be with... Bernie, you, Grannyheart, Bob - just perfect. The only thing I kept finding myself saying all day was "WOW!" Thank you for that wonderful experience. You, Ed, are amazing!

[Grannyheart]

It really was a fun day...great company and a nice little stroll. It was just enough to get my heart pumping pretty good and also included enough beauty to make me realize how much I've missed those little strolls.

Here's Ed explaining to Bob how the Zone Lake area has changed since the beavers left.


When we got to Joyce's Pond, I couldn't wait to get my shoes and socks off and frolick a little bit. I was SO happy that Terry decided to join me!!


This was one of the places we stopped to check out the views and take a little break on the way to Beautiful Lake Marv.


Beautiful Lake Marv was VERY, VERY beautiful! So beautiful, in fact, that Bob couldn't resist.....he just HAD to frolick!!!!


At first Bob said it was more like just "kickin' back", but he actually later admitted that what he was experiencing could possibly be considered frolicking. lol

[Grannyheart]

The views from the knobs are always amazing....and Saturday was no exception.

It's always fun looking down at where we came from.....Joyce's Pond is close to center in this pic and Zone Lake is at about 11 o'clock from there.


Half Mountain with Knob 10 in front.


Longs with Mills Lake near the center of pic.

[zzcoop]

Sweet pics and report! I'm hoping to at least see Zone/Joyce/Mills with you when we're out next week, Ed. Wouldn't mind going a lot further, but that's all up to a certain 6-year-old.

[Grannyheart]

It was finally time to start heading down. Of course, Ed led the way. I really like this route down!


We crossed over a "leak" from somewhere.....sorry, Ed, I can't remember what lake you said this crossing came from.


A little bit later we passed "John Rock". It was still doing a great job of blocking! :)


It wasn't too long until we were crossing the final creek before heading up and out to the parking lot.

Here's Paul helping Terry cross. Behind Terry is Berni, and Bob was bringin' up the rear.


What a wonderful day!!! Thanks Ed!!!!

Edited by Grannyheart, 13 September 2011 - 08:53 AM.

[soatley]

Always good to read/see Grannyheart's view of the day.

Sandy O

[NWA395]

Beautiful. Thinking these lakes will be on the "next trip" list...

[DeeCeeM]

It looks like everybody had a fabulous day. I'm so jealous!

[B-Jay]

You really had a beautiful day for an off-trail hike, which looks like more than an easy stroll to me. I especially like the pretty green meadow you crossed on the way to Lake Marv.

B-Jay