Home sweet home...

[Ravenshire]

West and a little north of home...

Those of you who live on the coast, either one, can keep it. I'll take this any day... The ocean is beautiful, but ohhhh my...

Rocky Mountain National Park... Some of the lakes:

Bear Lake:

RMNPs most accessible lake. Parking lot just 300 or so yards away. Open year 'round, unless the plows simply can't keep up with the snowfall.


Cub Lake:

Tougher hike in than Bear Lake. The "short" path takes you past Bierstadt Lake, but the switchback is a killer. The longer path is an easier hike, but is about twice as long, starting in the Moraine Basin


Timber Lake:

Sitting just below the timber line, Timber Lake is a moderately tough hike. Bring lots of water. The altitude dries you out.

Dream Lake:

A relatively easy hike from Bear Lake, Dream lake is one of the jewels that shouldn't be missed, even by people short on time.


Emerald Lake:

Still farther along the same trail as Dream Lake, Emerald Lake is definitely worth the couple extra miles. Still on relatively easy terrain. My daughters made the hike at 7 and 10.


Odessa Lake:

A moderate difficulty hike, but pack a lunch. Odessa Lake is tucked away in RMNPs back country. It took me a half day to make the round trip from the closest lot. Left later than I should and like a dummy, didn't bring a flashlight. Damn near got lost in the dark on the way back.


Bierstadt Lake:

If I died tonight, this is where I'd want my ashes spread. Illegal, of course, but I've got some friends willing to risk the fine. RMNPs most beautiful lake and one of the more difficult to reach. Truly worth the effort though, even if you take the switchback. The wide open view in this image is misleading, which leads to Bierstadt's real punch. Right up until you can first see a glimmer of water, you're surrounded by forest. In the space of just twenty or thirty yards you go from hemmed in to this view. A sudden, shocking and amazingly spectacular transition.


I truly have got to get the camera out and take a Saturday (leaving very early) to revisit some of these old friends and maybe make some new ones along the way. It's been far too long since I've been even to Bear Lake, let alone any of the more difficult to lakes to reach.

Anyone who's ever visiting and wants a local guide to the park, give me a little forewarning and I am there!

Can you guys tell I really love to show off the home state?!?