15 replies to this topic

[junkie]

Oh man, this is bad. I just booked our lodging for July, its 6 months away (with 3 ski trips in between) and what am I am doing at work today (not work of course)...
thinking and plotting hikes!

As some of you may remember, my youngest daughter and I hiked the crater last summer while the rest of my clan went rafting. Saw lots of cool wildlife including moutain lions running around way up on specimen mountain. I know this will be a hike I will have to do with the my other daughter and wife. (They feel like they missed out - wait...THEY DID - rafting schmafting.).

Anyway, while we are close to the west side, I am looking for another hike of medium intensity - say 2.5 - 3 miles (one-way) tops that we can do after an early morning climb to the crater. The crater is pretty steep, so I wouldn't want anything with too much of an incline either.

I have already planned a drive over fall river / trail ridge on our first day and will do the quick jaunt up to adams falls before getting lunch in grand lake (dessert at the ice cream shop naturally).

If anyone has any suggestions for great but fairly short west side hikes...... please let me know.

Chris

Edited by new rmnp junkie, 12 January 2005 - 01:52 PM.

[ProfHall]

Very close to the Crater TH as you come down TRR is the Colorado River TH. It is pretty much FLAT and meanders right beside or near the river pretty much as far as you want to go before turning around. It is lush and green and extremely beautiful.

Further down on the right as you head to GL is the Coyote Valley "nature" trail, out in the Kawuneeche (Coyote) Valley. There is a picnic area here, too, so you could get lunch in GL and bring in back to eat surrounded by the great views. This trail is absolutely flat and wanders around the valley with little signs along the way explaining how the valley was formed, what kinds of plants and animals you can see, and so on. This one is right out in the wide open with very little shade, so a just before lunch visit there could be quite sunny. But it is short and flat!

In between the Colorado River TR and the Coyote Valley TH is the Holzworth Historic site, formerly labeld as the Never Summer Ranch on park maps. Park at the TH and walk across the valley, crossing the Colorado (could it really just be a little creek here?) and up to the ranch. There are several buildings, including the house, barn, and some of the former guest "cottages"...an easy walk and visit to how folks used to enjoy visiting the park.

Note: all these will be on your right as you head DOWN TRR toward GL.

Hope this helps...

Prof

[John]

Adams falls is nice (East Inlet TH). Coyote Trail is very flat and we saw lots of wildlife there. Colorado TH toward Lulu City is fine also.

[mtnmanjc]

I would have to agree and recommend the Colorado River TH. Easy trail, nice hike up the stream and through meadows. This is also a great hike to view wildlife, elk, moose, deer, etc.

Enjoy!!!

JC

[coons10]

Yes, the Colorado River trail towards Lulu City is pretty good for wildlife.

Two summers ago near Lulu City I can Face-to-butt with a big old moose and her colt (is colt the right word to describe a juvenile moose?). My wife and I were hiking back down from Box Canyon via the grand ditch. We had just finished crossing the Colorado and we came around a blind turn and 25 feet in front of me was mommy Moose and her baby. We just kind of stared at each other for 15 or 20 seconds and she didn't seem to mind my presence too much. But I decided that it would be prudent for me to move along before she got annoyed with me, especially since she had baby moose in tow.

Hiking all the way to Lulu City might be too far for your easy hike, but you can turn around anywhere you time you want and head back to the TH.

<---- Has anyone else noticed that this looks a lot more like a moose than an elk?

[Aaron]

  <---- Has anyone else noticed that this looks a lot more like a moose than an elk?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yep, it's definitely a moose.

--Aaron

[slowpoke]

  <---- Has anyone else noticed that this looks a lot more like a moose than an elk?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No. None of the moose i've ever seen have smiled at me like that. Oh, do you mean the antlers? Well, then yah. Looks like a moose eh?

And by the way, the correct term for a 'baby moose' is 'moose-let'...duh...

[coons10]

And by the way, the correct term for a 'baby moose' is 'moose-let'...duh...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Mooselet. Thanks, got it.

Now just to clear things up... is a baby elk an elklet?

[misssilly]

I love the Colorado River Trail. It's aways peaceful. The columbines and wild strawberries along the way are wonderful in mid-July. I'll see if I can find some pictures to scan and post. I have lots. :)

Jen

[Veik]

And by the way, the correct term for a 'baby moose' is 'moose-let'...duh...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Mooselet. Thanks, got it.

Now just to clear things up... is a baby elk an elklet?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Please don't tell me that chicklets are baby chickens.

[foxfire]

Leaflets? Goblets? Oh please! Marvman, what do ya say?

[SandyP]

No.  None of the moose i've ever seen have smiled at me like that. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

All the moose you've seen must have been foreign moose -- just not understanding English, because if they did, you would probably have had them in stitches too, and thus gotten just that kind of smile

[Greeneyes]

My favorite moose is chocolate moose-yummy dessert! Speaking of mooses (meese?) ProfHall, I was just looking at your moose photo in the gallery. Cool shot! Where on Trail Ridge was that taken? We've seen them in the Kawuneeche Valley, but that's all. Moose sightings always cause quite a jam. Moose jam-another yummy treat!
Anne

[waterrat]

I'm feeling bemoosed...

[Greeneyes]

This whole thread is kinda amoosing...
Anne