Lori Smith Estes Park Real Estate - LiveInEstesPark.com

I am sure this sounds funny coming from a Coloradoan, but I am scared of heights. It is my husband’s goal to get me up Longs Peak someday, so he was pretty excited when I mentioned that we hike up to the Keyhole. He just thinks if I get close enough, I will get over my fear. I can assure you that won’t happen soon. Here are some photos of our day on Longs. It was cold and windy, but beautiful. The hike is about 6.5 miles to the Keyhole. We went up the regular Longs Peak trail and detoured at the bridge right below treeline to follow the winter trail. We followed the creek up to the Moraine. There was a lot of boulder hopping and trying to avoid punching through the snow in places. I was exhausted by the time we reached our destination. After slipping on the hard packed snow and navigating the ascent to the top of the Keyhole my nerves were on edge. I wasn’t prepared for the view once Alan helped me through. I pretty much just hunkered down and waited to go back down. I think you can see to Wyoming. I am glad to have been there, but I don’t think a Longs Peak summit is in my future. Enjoy the photos!

Are you planning a visit to Estes Park this summer? And you are bringing Fido with you. Check out some of the areas websites before you get here to plan some fun activities with your dog. Dogs are not allowed on the trails in RMNP. You may take your dog along for a ride into the park and keep them on a leash in designated parking areas, but no hiking in RMNP. For those of you wanting to hike with your canine friends consider the National Forests. I wanted to post some pics from a recent hike with Haley, my Golden Retriever, on Crosier Mountain starting in Glen Haven where the Trail head is located. She kept us running most of the way up the steep trail.

There are some incredible views of Longs Peak . . .

All the trails on HWY 36 as you head towards Lyons are dog friendly too. Lily Mountain trail is a popular hike under 2 miles that is close to HWY 7 and minutes from EP. If you dog isn’t up for a hike, stop by the Dog Park right by Lake Estes and Stanley Park. If you want a complete list of dog-friendly trails stop by the Estes Park Visitor Center for a list.

Have fun, be respectful of others on the trail and lookout for wildlife!

What to do with kids in Estes Park? I saw this question posted recently and it is a concern for many who visit here with children too young to hike long distances. You don’t need to climb Longs Peak or back country camp in RMNP to fully appreciate the area. There is art, history, nature, food, shopping, entertainment and much more. There are too many activities to list so I will just mention of few.

It is going to be hard for me not to emphasize JUST going into the park. It is by far the best attraction we have. You don’t have to hike for miles to experience its beauty though. There are lots of places to hike just a block or two and explore rocks, streams, and see great views. Visit the Alluvial Fan near the North Entrance for hours of rock hopping, playing in the water or looking for wildflowers or wild raspberries. Also Lily Lake has a very short walking loop with plenty of opportunity for adventure. Stop in to the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and talk to the staff for ideas. They have ranger led walks just for young children. Make your own GORP, have a picnic in Moraine Park. Drive up Old Fall River Road and find a patch of snow to play in. Let’s back up for a minute before you come into the park, stop by the Estes Park Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and get one of their calendars of events to find out what is going on around town. There might be a festival going on at Bond Park or the Stanley Park Fairground. We have the Rooftop Rodeo, Arabian horse shows, car shows, art shows, Highlands Scottish Irish Festival, Quilt Shows, Film Festivals and our course Elk Fest. You could go to a festival every weekend all summer. We do have some fun touristy kinds of attraction like go-carts and miniature golf, but I would encourage you to also check out some of the unique attractions Estes Park offers like the Estes Park Museum or MacGregor Ranch Museum. Our Art Center and Library offer programs for hands-on activities throughout the summer months. Did you bring Fido? Take him to the Dog Park to burn up some energy. If you are downtown, check out some of our kid friendly stores that sell toys or have rocks and artifacts. Watch the glass blowers at several glass shops too. Grab an ice cream cone and head over to Riverside Plaza or Performance Park to enjoy an outdoor concert. Visit the flower garden on West Elkhorn Ave. and see how many flowers you can name. Rent a bike cart and ride around Lake Estes or play at one of the many playgrounds around town. Ride the Aerial Tram to the top of Prospect Mountain. Maybe the weather is turning off bad? Head over to the Aquatic Center for a swim or to the Historic Park Theater for a movie. How about the Estes Park Mountain shop for a rock climbing lesson? And I almost forgot the YMCA of the Rockies, horseback riding and chuck wagon dinners too. Soon we will have a Planetarium for star gazing. How about an old time portrait? Are you tired yet? You don’t need to leave Estes to keep the family entertained. #1 Rule-don’t forget to take lots of water, sunscreen and snacks!

I promise soon I will post about Estes Park real estate again. People keep asking me how sales are here. The market is picking up here again. So far, the sold numbers are up from last year in volume and number of units sold. I haven’t analyzed it further than that, but I will. Now onto hiking, it’s why I moved here. I saw a sign the other day, it read “Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life”. Very well said!!

I was worried about missing the aspens so I played hooky on October 1st. It was incredibly windy that day so I decided to hike in Wild Basin of Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park, Colorado. Wanting a long hike I decided on Bluebird Lake, it is 6.3 miles to the lake. It really is a summer hike, but I didn’t realize that until I was underway. The aspens as you follow the trail were spectacular. I even was lucky enough to wear short sleeves for a while. I was trying to keep a good pace because I didn’t get to the TH until 10:50. I needed to be back by 5pm. There was light snow in the shady areas past Ouzel Falls, but I didn’t expect it as I went higher. I loved this hike except for the burn area, after the trail splits to Bluebird it seems to go on forever. I personally think it is depressing, but the grasses were flourishing in fall colors. I am sure the flowers are plentiful in the summer. The last 1.5 miles seemed like 3 or 4 miles. I loved the dense forest, but it was kind of creepy. I really expected the lake around every corner. I had to scramble on wet snowy rock towards the end too. Most of my concern was hiking alone and this far out. I never saw another hiker past where the trail splits to Ouzel Lake or Bluebird Lake. When I finally crested the hill and saw the lake I couldn’t stand up straight because the wind would push me over. I walked kind of bent-over to a large boulder to snap some photos and eat my lunch. It was 2:00 and I was starving. Freezing cold winds weren’t conducive to a relaxing meal so I just started back with my PB&J. I hustled back jogging when I could. As the sun dips in Wild Basin in gets cold quick. I stopped and talked to a few hikers on my way back and spotted a couple of deer. Which is really surprising because the joke is that we see more wildlife in our backyard than in RMNP. By the last mile I was limping terribly and couldn’t wait to get to my car. As I entered the Estes Valley my phone starting buzzing. Apparently, Alan and the girls were the only people I told that I was hiking. My office was about to report me missing. Always tell someone where you are going. I leave a note in my car where it’s easily read through the window. Here are some photos of the Ouzel Fire burn area, some really pretty aspens, and a blustery Bluebird Lake. More photos here. Have a great week!

Lori

I was lucky enough to take the day off a week or so ago. Great weather-Sunny, mid 70’s and NO wind. I decided to go to Sky Pond. I stupidly took the summer trail and had to deal with the crowds by Alberta Falls. I love the trail after you split off toward the Loch. It was intoxicating the pine and vanilla smell in the trees. The smells of the forest are almost better than the sights. The trail past the Loch is so interesting and the trail crews have been working hard moving boulders and making walk ways. It seemed very steep at times. Right before I got to Timberline falls I passed a group of women twice my age. They were moving delicately down the rock steps before the falls. I knew I couldn’t chicken out now. Alan had told me a little about what to expect, but I was nervous getting up the trail by the falls. I worn my Keen sandals and soaked my socks immediately. I am just not real sure-footed so my big fear was doing something clumsy. My theme from this point on was “This is the trail?” I had to repeat this later between Lake of Glass and Sky Pond on this skinny rock ledge. My Lamaze training came back to me real quick. Deep breathing and talking to yourself works pretty good. I was taunted by the picas who would not sit still for any photos. I loved Lake of Glass. The beautiful green and blue colors of the water are amazing. Occasionally the wind would blow slightly and it looked like diamonds floating on the water. I could have stayed all day, but I was on a time limit. I was anxious about getting back down the falls. Also my phone kept ringing-the kids missed the bus and work, etc. Back to reality. I love the winter trail from where the trail splits to the Glacier Gorge Trailhead. I never see anyone on it. I stupidly parked at Bear Lake and thought I was going to croak that last half mile up to my car. It was a fantastic day besides that last part.