12 replies to this topic

[JDgreen]

Lynda had dropped off Dessa Lou our 2 yr old female German Shepard at the kennel when she took her mom to the doc so we basically had the weekend to ourselves. We hadn't hike or snowshoed together for some time as one of us usually had the dog or we had different agendas. After breakfast I asked Lynda where she wanted to go, she wanted options. I listed Flattop, Twin Sisters, Lake Helene/ Odessa lake, Chapin ( it had always got skipped on CCY adventures) and Deer Mountain. I was pushing for Flattop but thought she might have acclimation issues, about the time we hit the entrance before the Bear Lake turnoff she suggested Twin Sisters as she wanted another shot at the first summit she attempted before she was a regular runner.... Too late! I decided on Flattop so soon we were on the trail to Lake Helene , Ok so it would be cool to see the East Face of Flatop and look up the valley at Ptarmigan Glacier as a possible ski destination next winter. generic trail shot

We were making good time and soon were looking up the East Face of Flattop that I skiied in May.


Notchtop kept getting closer.

I wanted to turn off at Helene and get a little closer to the Ptarmigan cirque, for some reason I thought Helene would be larger than the puddle at Lynda's feet.

OK so we missed the turn, might as well go on to Odessa.

Edited by JDgreen, 18 September 2011 - 10:09 PM.

[JDgreen]

Hearing about all the bear activity recently in the park had given us some concern but nobody warned us about nasty bridge trolls demanding tolls.

He was jonesing for my Cheetos but I don't share them with nobody except Igloo Ed, so even though I know you are not supposed to feed the wildlife I threw a hunk of beef jerky into the woods and we bolted across the bridge while he went after the jerky. The other side of the stream.

shortly after at the lake (Odessa)

Little Matterhorn

Other than the 750 foot of vertical that fired up my tempermental achilles the rest of the hike was uneventful. We did see the rather obvious turnoff to Helene but were ready to be down.
Later on we met up with Bill and Diane for some lucious melt in your mouth good steaks and pasta salad at their campsite.
Day 1.5 in the books, next up a bushwhack with Ed.

Edited by JDgreen, 19 September 2011 - 06:51 AM.

[Igloo Ed]

Glad you two got to hike together again and a great hike for it.

[soatley]

Beautiful day, except for the troll. Your meal improved over the previous day's.

Sandy O

[mwilson]

Sounds like a great day of hiking for the two of you. So glad you got into the park. Does Dessa Lou do well at the kennel? Nice pictures and report.

[Twinebender]

Nice hike, Jim.
I love that last little section of trail that leads to Odessa.

[jflo]

Looks like a great day!!! Glad you were able to enjoy yourselves!!!

[foxfire]

Yes looks like a great day. I love the last little way to Odessa once you do the "circular staircase" hike up from and around Fern Lake!

Fox

[mistylady]

Love your pictures. I want to do Odessa again while we are here. May try later this week. Wonderful hike!

[rcw]

JDgreen, on 18 September 2011 - 09:47 PM, said:

Lynda had dropped off Dessa Lou our 2 yr old female German Shepard at the kennel when she took her mom to the doc so we basically had the weekend to ourselves. We hadn't hike or snowshoed together for some time as one of us usually had the dog or we had different agendas. After breakfast I asked Lynda where she wanted to go, she wanted options. I listed Flattop, Twin Sisters, Lake Helene/ Odessa lake, Chapin ( it had always got skipped on CCY adventures) and Deer Mountain. I was pushing for Flattop but thought she might have acclimation issues, about the time we hit the entrance before the Bear Lake turnoff she suggested Twin Sisters as she wanted another shot at the first summit she attempted before she was a regular runner.... Too late! I decided on Flattop so soon we were on the trail to Lake Helene , Ok so it would be cool to see the East Face of Flatop and look up the valley at Ptarmigan Glacier as a possible ski destination next winter. generic trail shot

We were making good time and soon were looking up the East Face of Flattop that I skiied in May.


Notchtop kept getting closer.

I wanted to turn off at Helene and get a little closer to the Ptarmigan cirque, for some reason I thought Helene would be larger than the puddle at Lynda's feet.

OK so we missed the turn, might as well go on to Odessa.

You have to love the picture of the trail leading off into the distance.

[DrCloud]

rcw, on 20 September 2011 - 04:05 PM, said:

You have to love the picture of the trail leading off into the distance.

Especially with the cliffs and snow up there "past" the distance. This captures the essence of the high country for me. HPH

[JDgreen]

Yes I enjoyed this a little more than I thought I would, maybe it was the company .
Dessa Lou gets along at the kennels, she is pretty social and has quite the reputation at the 2 kennals we leave her. Our other GS dog it was pure punishment for her but we had the option of leaving her with my dad, they made quite the pair. I really wish there were more options for pet boarding in Estes......

Sorry for the smudged up lense, all pics are from the camera in my Droid X cellphone.

Edited by JDgreen, 21 September 2011 - 05:33 AM.

[dianeh85]

Looks like you two had a great hike! That area of the park is so beautiful. Bill and I backpacked there last year and after a day of hiking and dinner we hiked up in back of the lake and up the hill towards Helene. Very interesting area, you get the feeling that a bear will come walking along at any moment. It is quite an easy hike too. One of these days we will get back to Odessa and hike up to Helene and take that way back. thanks for posting!