5 replies to this topic

[Okie Day-Hiker]

Greetings from Keystone, Colorado. You gotta love free Wi-fi.

Here is a quick and rambling report on my one day in the park this last Sunday.

I arrived at the park at 6:15 a.m. and took advantage of the early bird free admission policy. I arrived at the Bear Lake parking area around 6:30 and there were only 4 other cars. I spent the first 15 minutes of the hike taking pics of Bear Lake and Aaron's favorite mountain. I then left Bear Lake and headed up the trail. The snow field right before you get to treeline is all but gone. I think it only covered about 15 feet of the trail. Weather was outstanding for the entire hike. I had Lake Helene to myself. I found it pretty difficult to find good photo vantage points of this lake because the shore was not very accessible. I then continued on to Odessa and Fern Lakes. Both were beautiful and I took numerous photos. I also was surprised that I had Odessa Lake to myself. The rest of the hike was pretty uneventful. Trail traffic picked up greatly between the pool and the Fern Lake trailhead. Total time for the hike was right at 4 hrs. Plus another hour to wait on the shuttle bus and get back to Bear Lake.
Needless to say, there were more than 4 cars at Bear Lake when I returned. It was absolutely packed. I then drove over trailridge road to Grand Lake. Every parking area along the way including the Alpine visitor center was over-flowing. At Grand Lake I took the short hike to Adams Falls and stopped at Grand Lake Chocolates. The blueberry cheesecake ice cream was wonderful.
I took about 50 photos during my hike and I will post some pics when I get back to Oklahoma in August.
In summary, great hike and great day in the park.

Happy Trails.
Okie Day-Hiker

[DeeCeeM]

Sounds like you used your one day very wisely! Glad it went so well. Thanks for the report.

[John]

Great report! Can't wait for the pictures!

[Rhonda]

Every parking area along the way including the Alpine visitor center was over-flowing.

That's what it was like this time last year, too. It took me about three separate visits to the AVC before I could ever find a parking space and get inside. That's when I thought, "September next year!"

Your hike sounded wonderful and I can't wait to see some pictures. And glad you made it over to GL and Adams Falls. I imagine it was crowded, too.

Rhonda

[Aaron]

I spent the first 15 minutes of the hike taking pics of Bear Lake and Aaron's favorite mountain. 

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At Grand Lake I took the short hike to Adams Falls and stopped at Grand Lake Chocolates.  The blueberry cheesecake ice cream was wonderful.

Happy Trails.
Okie Day-Hiker

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Blueberry cheesecake rocks the house! Man, what a great time you must be having....oogling Hallett, and eating blueberry cheesecake icecream at GLC!!

--Aaron

[randyman]

Thanks for the report okie, this is one of my personal favorites. I love the Odessa Loop hike.

Randyman