Lori Smith Estes Park Real Estate - LiveInEstesPark.com

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.