Mountain peeks...........

I've decided not to overload you with views of scenic peaks and distant valleys and give you just a sample so that you'll want to see it for yourself.   But, might I suggest, you not do it in July and August.     We headed up to Bear Lake, one of several scenic roads off Trail Ridge Rd in Rocky Mountain NP.   The Park is extremely busy and as we approached the parking lot, we were greeted with traffic control Park Rangers.   There is a shuttle to several popular areas of the park but we had no initial plans to park, just a drive-by.    But, we were able to slip into a empty spot and stretched our legs on a 1/2 mile walk around this high alpine lake.  

We were not alone.    The families and young and old couples and groups with Rangers swarmed the trail and the lakeside.    

I was surprised at this quiet part of the trail, except for one handsome grandfather, and had to capture the moment. 

  But, I'm  gratified to know that so many people are enjoying Mother Nature's beauty and sharing with the children.   

 Later, we went in search of a hiking area we had done many years ago.   I knew it was beside a lake and also that it was along the Peak to Peak Highway, west of Boulder.    We finally found it but my, had the area changed in 20 years (and so have we).    It's called Brainard Lakes in the Indian Peak Wilderness  and has been completely redone to include a large campground (no hookups but storage containers to ward off bears at each site).

The rain clouds were hovering late in the day so we didn't stay but we  made ourselves a promise to come back in a week or so.  The elevation is at 10,000 ft and the trail climbs to almost 11,000 ft but we remember much of it as being rather gentle.    We got caught in a downpour that long ago day so next time we'll start earlier.   

 Our CG at St Vrain State Park, near Longmont, was situated on the prairie with several large ponds.   It was a haven for wildflowers and birdwatching.  

 These cormorants and pelicans were preening themselves in the mirror-lake for their photo-op.

 This toad had no such hope of changing anything........................