My challenge for the summer, Gem Lake Trail

Kara, Terri and I went on a carfully selected hike on Saturday. Why did I chose this one? It was short, 1.7 miles, upps elevation gain, 1000 feet.  And in order to get that gain in a short hike LOTS of steps.  The above photo shots mini steps at the beginning.

Terri and  Kara - who were so patient with me while I caught my breath and took photos.

This shows more steps, these were a little bigger.

Here is the "boot" on the way up. By this time I was getting tired and not "working" the photography. Lots of grab shots.

More steps and a weeping wall of gannet. Some of the steps were so deep that they came up to my knees and I was actually lifting my body up with my hiking poles.

And finally, Gem Lake-- or pond as Kara called it. By this time we had lost our sun to a possible rain storm. I grabbed a quick shot and sat my exhausted body down to eat lunch. Notice the people on top the the far rock.

Once back down and in the parking lot (easy quick trip, and sun) -, I saw these balance rocks.
I had hiked this trail 25 years ago with Marianne Zivkovich and it was 2.9 miles one way. They reworked it....ouch.

 We then headed to the taffy shop in Estes Park, since no trip to Estes is complete without taffy! .

Rock N V trail

Here is another view from the Curt Gowdy Trail with storm clouds in the distance. Along the way- a couple of vultures. 

Twisty path around a rock with character.

This is from a hike at Curt Gowdy State Park. It was accessed from the Visitors Center to Rock-N-V to Rock N Roll. Was not hard and good for bikes. Sky is deceiving as it was beginning to thunder off in the distance and we got sprinkled on before we got back to the car. 

And around the corner we started finding blooming barrel cactus, but it is still early for them.