|
| | | Ouzel & Bluebird Lakes RMNP, CO | | | |
|
|
Ouzel & Bluebird Lakes RMNP, CO
| | |
| |
|
| Hiking | 15.00 Miles |
2,874 AEG |
| | Hiking | 15.00 Miles | | | |
| 2,874 ft AEG | | | | |
|
|
| |
| Partners |
|
[ show ]
| partners | | Day 3
Trailhead elevation = 8,500‘ Destination elevation = 11,016’
A good friend and fellow hiker flew in to join me on the hikes for a long weekend. So after a little discussion the decision was made to hike to Bluebird Lake. I introduced Merlin to Mickey D’s.
I told Merlin that there were spots we could turn around at on the way if he hit a wall. Figuring it was his first day at these elevations. But no, every time I asked are you ready to quit? His answer was let’s keep going.
This trail was sort of the typical RMNP trail. Started in the usual deep forest and took off going up up and away. It followed a beautiful stream with several cascades and falls. There was Copeland Falls, Calypso Cascades, Ouzel Falls... There were long stretches of fields of wild raspberries. Then Ouzel Lake and finally the climb to Bluebird Lake. I’m sure glad Merlin wanted to keep going that final push was fantastic. We were right at the tree line but instead of being kind of stark as most hikes above the tree line had been, this one had areas with a dozen varieties of wild flowers blooming. Including the state flower the Blue and White Columbine. Which we were told was way out of season.
Finally we climbed up the last ridge and there was the beautiful Bluebird Lake surrounded by rock walls. The only problem was a cold 50 or 60mph wind blowing off the lake trying to tear our heads off. So we didn’t loiter all to long there.
The trip back was no less beautiful. |
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
Route Editor
Route Scout
