16 replies to this topic

[John]

September 2, 2011

Iceberg's pictures from above Bluebird Lake planted the seed in my heart to explore the area for myself. The trail is loaded with wildflowers.



We got to Bluebird Lake in no time.



Columbine



Queen's Crown



Jeff didn't like the climb to the next goal so he turned back and spent the day exploring around Bluebird. I went on to Lark Pond.



Not far from Lark is Pipit Lake. I like the reflection of the clouds in the water in this shot as I was climbing higher.



Finally I reached my destination for the day: Isolation Lake



On the way down I took a different route and got this shot of Bluebird. Notice the shoreline on the right side of the lake because I decided to take that route not noticing the area on the top right where there is a cliffy area that goes right down into the water.



When I got there I thought I was going to have to go back around (after all that way!) but I found some hand and foot holds that allowed me to get across the rock face. Here is looking back after I made it.



On the way back to camp, the heavens broke loose. It rained hard, sleeted hard, and the lightning was intense. After about half an hour the storm cleared and I got this shot.



This was my favorite adventure of the week. The next day we hiked out and drove home. You'll see more from my adventures in my "pics of the day." What a great week in RMNP!

For Part 1 of my trip CLICK HERE!
For Part 2 of my trip CLICK HERE!
For Part 3 of my trip CLICK HERE!
For Part 4 of my trip CLICK HERE!

[soatley]

Jeff missed a great adventure.

I like your way back to the lake. It looks like fun. Maybe next time.

Sandy O

[jflo]

Isolation Lake looks interesting. Looks like an awesome day!!!

[Igloo Ed]

Great trip you had with Jeff and your last outing was the best.

[renate1]

Schweet!

[Monica]

I can see why this was your favorite adventure. This day seemed to have everything--lakes, ponds, flowers, mountains, and then that beautiful rainbow.

[mwilson]

John, I really enjoyed all of your trip reports and pictures. I'm surprised how beautiful the flowers were for this late in the season, but I guess they came out from under the snow so much later this year that they are still blooming beautifully. I still think the flowers are my favorite part of summer in Rocky. Thanks for sharing all of your reports. I finally just got to them tonight and it was fun to read them all at once.

[Rhonda]

Finding hand and foot holds on that cliff is downright scary! But what a beautiful area.

[NWA395]

Thanks for sharing

[Mark Zemmin]

Great report and pictures. Fantastic end to your trip. I am hoping to go to Pipit on Monday.

[GLENNinPA]

What a great looking trip. Nice photos. That is one area I need to get to. The cliffy part looked pretty fun.

[iceberg]

soatley, on 22 September 2011 - 06:42 AM, said:

Jeff missed a great adventure.

I'll say, that is the best hike in the park!

[Twinebender]

John,
Looks like some fun getting around Bluebird on the way back.
Thanks for the report.

[Scrapinator]

Hand and foot holds, eh? Next thing we know you'll be climbing the Diamond on Long's Peak! What a great last day!

[SandyP]

Those pictures are really amazing. I love that aerial shot of Bluebird you got on your way back. I think that's the prettiest picture of Bluebird I've seen. My heart skipped a beat when I saw that rock you had to scale to get around it.... sheeeeeeeeesh! And the rainbow!!!!! WOW!!!!!