RMNP

Uncrustable Weekends

moremarsh2 Comments

If you haven’t had an uncrustable sandwich during a hike, you are missing out. And if you don’t know what an uncrustable is, here’s a quick run down. You can find them in a box in the freezer section at any grocery store. They are PB&J sandwiches that are ready to grab and go at any time. And let me tell you, they taste the best at the end of a hike.

This fall, my roommates and I have started a new tradition of going on hikes every Saturday morning. We typically leave the house between 4:30-5:30am in order to get to the trailhead right as the sunrises. This means that Friday nights are filled with intense searches on google for the best hike we can find, researching driving times and trail maps, packing up our gear, and heading to bed early for our long day.

Our first weekend, we went big and hiked Mt Sherman, which is a 14er (a mountain over 14,000 feet above sea level). This was my 14th 14er and I was excited to mark another mountain off the list, and introduce my roommates to these mountains!

Mt. Sherman’s trailhead starts above the tree line so the hike is not very long and it’s considered “easy” especially for a 14er. The elevation will still get you every time though! The mountain face is covered with rocks, so I also highly recommend bringing hiking poles since the rocks are extremely loose on the way down. Overall though, it was a good hike and one of the last really warm weekends to hike at this altitude. (We had an early snow three days later!)

The following weekend, we headed up to Rocky Mountain National Park for a re-hike of Sky Pond. This is a hike that two of us hiked earlier in the summer but we wanted to go back on a clearer day since it was really cold and rainy on the day we went. Since we had an early snow just a few days before, there were several areas of the trail that were snow or ice packed already.

When we got to the waterfall, we weren’t sure if we could still make it up due to the ice and snow. But we watched a few others go and then went for it. And it was worth it! We made it all the way to Sky Pond and it was beautiful…but very windy! Plus I just love the rock formations found at this lake!

The following weekend was the beginning of the aspen leaves changing color, so we went on an adventure to find some beautiful leaves! We ended up at Herman Lake Gulch. This was a great trail, but I was glad that we got there early! By the time we made it back to the trailhead, the parking lot was packed! This hike was about 3 miles out and 3 back. The first and third miles were pretty tough, but the second mile was really enjoyable. The trail ended at a lake, where we got to enjoy our uncrustables! But the way down was when we really got to see the beginnings of fall colors in Colorado!

The last hike for this post was our hike at Meadow Creek and Lily Pad Lake. This was the best weekend for the aspen leaves and they were absolutely stunning! We chose this trail because of the number of aspens along the trail! The Meadow Creek Trail isn’t labeled that well and it doesn’t really lead to a lake or the top of a mountain, so we went along this trail until we hit an open field and then turned around. The Lily Pad Lake hike is not that long, which is why we added on at the beginning, but it is beautiful!

We got to see some of the most incredible fall colors out there and it was a joy to spend the day in God’s creation with the vibrant colors!

There are many more adventures waiting out there for us, but so far, Colorado has been fun of some great adventures! Hiking may not be restful to many, but it is to me. It reminds me that I am part of something much larger than myself and that I serve a God who is big and who is also in the details of everything. So my encouragement to you is to get outside an enjoy God’s creation! As you do, express gratitude to God for His creation!

Oh also, #uncrustables … SPONSOR ME! 😉

Sky Pond

moremarsh1 Comment

I explored a new part of Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) that I hadn’t hiked before. My traditional hike is up to Emerald Lake, but we were in for a bigger, longer, and more difficult hike. And we definitely found it!

We hit the trailhead (after having to ride the shuttle because it’s #summer and everyone is in RMNP…) at 7:52am! This was a great time to start despite there being more people than I expected in the park during Covid-19….but it was a Saturday so that explains it a little.

Anyways, we started out the hike and it was honestly really easy. We read that this was a “difficult” hike yet nothing seemed difficult at all. It was a great trail, well marked, and extremely beautiful! We made it to Alberta Falls pretty quickly and stopped to take some pictures! The waterfalls along this trail were phenomenal.

We continued to hike and came to Loch Lake! This lake is INCREDIBLE. Seriously. Even if you only make it to this lake, it would be well worth your time. The trail hugs the side of the water most of the time so you have a great view of the lake as you make your way around. There were picnics and people fishing all around the lake. (On the way back we stopped to hammock by the lake for a little break, while we enjoyed the fresh air and great views!)

After hiking around the lake, the trail begins to get steeper, but still not at “difficult” level. There were a lot more steps and a steeper incline that led right up to the base of another waterfall.

Only this time… you have to hike up the waterfall! This is why this trail is marked “difficult.” Everything began to make sense!

(This is the waterfall we hiked up.)

We watched several people hike up and down the waterfall before it was our turn. By this point, there was a light off and on rain but either way we were going to get at least a little wet during this next section of the hike. We made our way up the waterfall, scaling the slippery rocks, helping each other out, and double checking every foothold to see if it was secure.

Once you make it over Timberline Falls, you reach Mirror Lake. This is the lake that feeds into the waterfall and it was marvelous! From here you have to hike around this lake to get to the final destination, Sky Pond. Now, this should be an easy thing to do, and it is if you know where the trail is, but we didn’t. We got some “directions” from a couple hiking down from Sly Pond who said, “Yeah, you just go up and around. It doesn’t really matter where you go, you will make it.” So we took that as a fact and headed over the rocks… and over the trees… and into the bushes… and then under the trees… and then we were lost. And yes, we did literally hike on top of trees.

So that happened, but we finally made it back to the trail. (And yes, there is an actual trail that was literally 20 feet away from us when we got directions from the misguided couple.) We made it to Sky Pond by 10:50am, which is a 3 hour and 2 minute hiking experience! We found a place to sit on some rocks, eat our uncrustables (which are now a required food item for all of my hikes!), and just gaze on the beauty of creation that stood before us. It really was unbelieveable.

Until it started to rain more than just a drizzle. Plus it was cold rain…not the warm, enjoyable rain, but the cold, sharp, almost hail kind of rain. So we shoved the rest of our food in our mouths, zipped up our raincoats, and headed back down the trail (the real trail) and towards the waterfall.

Everyone made it back safe and sound, and we rewarded ourselves with coffee at Kind Coffee…mostly because it’s a tradition of mine, but also because we needed some warmth!

If you are looking for a little (or a BIG) adventure, then Sky Pond is a great place to go. I hope to enjoy this hike several more times in the future since it was so beautiful. This honestly may be one of my top favorite hikes ever, which is truly saying a lot!

The reason why I love hiking so much is because you get to see the beauty and creativity of our Creator! He made each of the rocks you climb over and the particles of water that fall down into the rivers. He knows exactly where each tree was planted and how long it has been living. The beauty of God truly comes out in His creation and I love getting to explore new places in order to see even more facets of His creativity!

And the Lord will guide you continually
    and satisfy your desire in scorched places
    and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
    like a spring of water,
    whose waters do not fail.

Isaiah 58:11

Emerald Lake

moremarshLeave a comment

Estes Park is a great place for adventure, but it also holds one of my favorite winter hikes, Bear Lake to Emerald Lake.

Estes is a cozy little mountain town full of quaint shops, people seeking adventure, and some of the best taffy you will ever try! It is also the entrance into Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). RMNP is wonderful and full of life! There are tons of trails and animals! Trail ridge road is also park of the park and is the highest paved highway in the USA, as it takes you over the continental divide. You should try it sometime, but only in the summer since it’s closed all winter due to snow.

Now, let me tell you about my favorite winter hike. Bear Lake is a gorgeous lake in RMNP. Many people travel to see this lake nestled into the mountains. There are trails around the lake but the best one is the Emerald Lake hike.

Emerald Lake is the fourth lake from Bear Lake. Beginning at Bear it’s a little under 4 miles round trip out to Emerald. You also get to see two other beautiful lakes on the way out!

The trail begins with a fairly steep uphill that will have you asking if you are out of shape or need to start working out more (or maybe start working out in general). It’s really not that bad, but you are now at over 9,000 feet elevation so everyone will feel that at least a little. The first lake you come to is Nymph Lake. It’s a great feeling to get to the first lake. Since everything is frozen, you can hike right over the lake! This is the lake you will see the most people at since it’s the closest and shortest distance. It’s a beautiful view, but if the weather is bearable I’d encourage you to continue on.

Once you cross the lake it’s another uphill trail, but by now you are likely getting used to the air and know a good pace for yourself and your group. This part of the trail is my favorite section in the winter! Soon you will be at one of the best lookouts on the trail, and it’s a must see! Stop and soak it in. Take a few pictures but honestly, just look and see. It’s a view that you will want to remember!

Continue on the trail, which has some thin and tricky areas, until you get to the third lake, Dream Lake. This is the longest lake and it’s a stunning view in the winter! You will likely not believe that the view could get better than this… but it does! So don’t give up!

Dream Lake is a fun lake to cross in the winter due to the size, but this is also the place I’ve turned around the most often. If the weather is really cold or the wind is strong, you will start to really feel it out on this lake since there’s no tree coverage and you’ve been hiking for a while now. But if you are able, and the weather is good… snap a pic, get across the lake, and head into the trees on the opposite side for the final lake!

The final trail is the hardest to follow in the winter since you are simply following the snow packed areas made by those before you and this is the least traveled trail. But you can do it! There are a few very steep ascents in this section but it’s not terribly long. You will go through some trees right before the trail opens up to the lake. Take a deep breath, step through the trees, and look up.

Emerald Lake. You’ve made it! And you are now at the base of Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain, two 12,000+ foot mountains where you could see some adventurous people backcountry skiing down the valley of the Tyndall Glacier. It’s the most beautiful on a clear day with a fresh coat of snow, but sometimes you may not be that lucky. This lake will be very cold so you likely won’t stay long. But please, sit for a moment and just take it in.

Once you’ve taken in one of the most beautiful places on earth (and taken a few sips of water!!), you can begin your descent. Follow the same trail you took to come out and keep in mind that sometimes it’s easier (and more fun!) to slide on your snow pants down some of the hills.

That’s it. You made it to one of my favorite places and I hope you enjoyed the journey! It’s a place I go almost every year and it’s worth it every single time. It should take anywhere from 1.5-3 hours depending on the weather, your fitness, and your group size.

A note on snow shoes and then some final tips. In the winter you need either snow shoes or ice cleats. Both of these can be rented in town before you head into the park. If there’s fresh snow then snow shoes are the most fun, though they are more difficult to manage. I used ice cleats for the first time this year since the trails were packed and there wasn’t fresh snow… and I loved them! They were easy to use and super helpful! But again, fresh snow would need the snow shoe. (The people at rental stores are always helpful with this kind of thing too.) And I always rent poles as well to help make the hiking easier.

Final Tips:

  • Bring a portable charger for your phone.
  • Bring water and a snack.
  • Check the weather.
  • Get out early.
  • Hike with a group.
  • Wear layers and water proof clothing.
  • Plan ahead and communicate with your group.
  • Have fun and meet some new friends on the way!
Emerald Lake 12.27.19
Dream Lake 12.27.19