Weather

Returning to camp, we reached the wide, flat pass and saw that we were approaching frantically chaotic clouds to the northeast that were at our level and looked like volcanic steam rising from the valley. At camp, we began packing, and by the time we were finished, the sky was solid grey. As we descended through the forest, it began to rain and we heard thunder approaching from our rear. You can count the seconds between the lightening flash and thunder and tell how far the storm is from your location. When the storm reached us, the flashes were nearly simultaneous with the thunder. Deep in the forest, the thunder shattered the air around us and shook the ground, and we saw flashes of magnesium-bright lightening as it struck the ground.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Not long after we started climbing to the pass, we reached the top of a wide, flat pass and the boundary of the Rocky Mountain National Park. The open meadow of the pass was covered with flowers. On the other side of the pass, we first looked at the sweeping views into the Park, with its rugged Mummy Range. After descending through a lovely landscape of ponds, flowers and snowfields, we made a short climb to the top of Mummy Pass. There, we stood in front of an enormous stretch of open country with snowy mountains in the distance. With binoculars, we watched young elk frolick on a snow field.

Comanche Peak Wilderness

Commanche Peak

On Friday, Jason, Joni and I hiked from Pingree Park up into the wilderness. It was drizzling when we started and it showered on and off as we climbed out of the valley through the evergreen forest. We made camp at tree line where the forest opened into a series of large clearings. We camped below a large bank of snow. The melting snow made the ground wet throughout and there were several small streams around the camp. Water-loving yellow flowers were scattered throughout the camp.

While Jason and Joni rested in camp, I explored the open alpine meadows above. I reached a high point where the scenery was dominated by the Comanche Peak massif across a deep and wide canyon. I had climbed Commanche Peak several years before. At the head of the canyon was pointed Fall Mountain and the dramatic basin above beautiful Emmaline Lake, which was hidden behind a ridge.

It was mostly overcast as I explored with some of the peaks hidden in the dark, rolling clouds. I took pictures of the abundant and diverse flowers. The next morning when we began to climb towards Mummy Pass, the sky was deep blue.

More From the Canyon

More From California

Chicago Lakes

Buddy and I took a scouting trip to the Chicago Lakes in the Mount Evans Wilderness for the doggie hike I am leading next Sunday.

Point Reyes California

Lucy, Jessica, Joni and I hiked to Alamere Falls in the Point Reyes National Seashore. We had to climb down a cliff, past two smaller falls, to the beach where the main falls pours over the cliff, onto the beach, and into the Pacific. We then walked for a mile on the wild and deserted beach. On the trails above the lakes, we enjoyed the multitude of wildflowers, beautiful lakes and ponds and the unique, native California forests of the coast. Afterward, famished, we ate wonderful California salads and seafood at the Parkside Café in Stinson Beach. The place had that eccentric Northern California atmosphere and the waiter was a bit inebriated.