Stopped over at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center early to drop off some postcards and ask a handful of questions about some of my future hike ideas. Then I dropped my car off at the cabin, walked over to the Moraine Park Discover Center, hopped on the shuttle bus, and rode out to Bear Lake (there's a transfer at the park and ride). From Bear Lake I hiked to Lake Helene with an elevation gain of 1,215 feet. One the way I watched the pika running around on the boulder fields. While looking at the snowfield at Lake Helene a badger lumbered by. From here I hiked to Odessa Lake, which has fantastic views of Notchtop, Knob, and Little Matterhorn. Just as I came up to the switchbacks down to Odessa, the first of several thunderstorms rolled over the mountain tops. Next was Fern Lake, where it was really raining, with plenty of lightening and thunder. I was happy to be down from the trail along the gorge, which is very exposed. Along that gorge I saw more pika and some towee (at least that's what I was told the little blue-gray birds are). Just past Fern Lake there was a dispersed group of what I think were grouse. Next was a very long chunk of the day's hike, over to Fern Falls, on down to the Pool, and then the rest of the hike out following along Big Thompson River. On the last stretch I saw a doe and two fawns, then a little later an elk. All together, counting the distance to and from the shuttle stops, I think I hiked a little over 9.5 miles today. My feet feel it. Might have to soak them tonight so I'm ready for tomorrow's endeavor: following the Ute Trail from near the Alpine Visitor Center down to Milner Pass. Fingers crossed the weather doesn't foul this plan.

For now, I'm going to drive over to where I have internet so I can post these photos, then I'm going to go home and eat second dinner. I'm famished!

Last night's sunset

This morning's sunrise

Longs Peak with its own weather system

Just a bit after sunrise, across from my cabin

A small unnamed lake

On the hike up to Lake Helene

Mallards on Lake Helene

Saw this guy by the snowfield. Badger, I think.

Lake Helene

Notchtop

Odessa Lake

Looking back on Notchtop

Heard the pika in every boulder field,
finally caught one on film

Another pika

I was told this is a Towee, but that doesn't look right
to me. Does anyone know?

Along the trail between Helene and Odessa
There were a couple lovely falls on this side of
Notchtop. I think one is Grace Falls. Too distant
for good photos.

During thunderstorm #1

Odessa Lake with Notchtop and
Little Matterhorn

Odessa Lake, Notchtop and Little Matterhorn

Fern Creek leaving Odessa Lake

Approach to Fern Lake

Fern Lake

Fern Lake.

While hiking from Fern Lake, a covey of grouse
crossed in front of me. They couldn't quite decide
whether to be skittish or not.

Running grouse! Not a good image, but I like it for some
reason. They didn't make it easy to get clear photos.

Fern Falls

Fire evidence, I'm guessing from the Fern Lake Fire

Fern Creek

The Pool (Big Thompson River)

Other direction along Big Thompson

Big Thompson River

Two extremely large boulders to walk
between. Wondering if these fell as a
result of the floods last fall.

Flood damage. The trail is covered in sandy sediment,
trees partly buried. Fields of debris all around.

This section of the trail is rather lush.

Came across a doe and two fawns, one was rather relaxed,
the other couldn't figure out whether to eat or run, so
instead jumped in place and back and forth.