Headache, begone! I woke up feeling right as rain, ready to face the mountains. After a quick pit stop to fill my water jug, I took a shuttle bus down the Bear Lake Corridor. This road is probably the most popular section of Rocky Mountain; I saved it for last to hopefully dodge the Labor Day crowds. I knew I was in the right place for my ability level, as I was surrounded by fewer buff dudes in tanks and more retirees dual-wielding hiking poles. My new motto: follow the sticks.
My route for the day, 1.8 miles each way, took me to three different lakes. A quick review of each:
Nymph Lake: The first chunk of the trail is mostly uphill. This is more tricky than normal due to the sparse air at 8,500 feet, and I was more winded than I expected by the time I reached the first plateau. Nymph Lake is, in a word, disappointing. Thin green water, coated with unappealing lily pads and filled with detritus. I trudged on.
Dream Lake: Up and up I climbed. The ascent would never end. I stopped and sat on a fallen log for five minutes, chugging water. Finally, sucking wind, I arrived at Dream Lake’s photo op spot. The mountains in the background were impressive, and the lake was clearer, but I was underwhelmed and tired enough to seriously consider joining most people and turning around. I kept going with the promise that, if another horrid incline appeared, I would head back. Fortunately, this is where the hike turned around. The trail followed the level edge of Dream Lake, the crowds thinned, and the lake opened up.
Emerald Lake: This is the rewarding part of the hike—an easy walk through pure forest, surrounded by clear views of mountaintops and bereft of too many fellow tourists. After the last ten minutes, I plopped down lakeside and took in the ridges. It was a beautiful place to catch my breath.
I bounced down the mountain, shuttled back to my car, and once again moved from shelter to shelter to avoid the heat. The thermometer hit 102 degrees, which was most definitely not how I envisioned my September. I still found time for a tremendous meal: a large elk hot dog, topped with pickled cactus and crispy onions, served with french fries covered in green chili. Colorado’s food has been good to me. Tomorrow, I move into the city for a bit.
This picture of Emerald Lake is probably my favorite one so far.
Someday you should go explore Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada. Really grand (but expensive) hotel there on one of the lake banks, like some gigantic log-cabin lodge. Glacial lake and the water is so cold — even in the summertime — that you know how Jesus was able to “walk on water.”
Nevertheless, it’s like God chose the perfect spot to drop this large body of water in some beautiful scenery.
I’m so glad your headache left! Our Penn State weather channel, which we watch during the week, indicated on a map of the country that the Denver area was experiencing temperatures 14 degrees higher than normal. So, 102 degrees is not normal. I am afraid of these high temperatures becoming the new normal, though. The hike to Emerald Lake of 1.8 miles at first sounded easy to me. I walk 2 miles most mornings. But, that’s on a fairly flat road. Going up a mountain is something else! I’m glad it leveled off for you after Dream Lake. Emerald Lake could have been called Mirror Lake. I had to look at your picture closely to see that it was really a lake! Glad you are enjoying the local cuisine!
Love, Grandma