Be sure to click on these thumbnail photos for larger versions.
2. This was taken just after leaving the trailhead. This is Poudre Lake at Milner Pass. |
3. The first part of the trail climbs steeply for a short distance until is rises above treeline. |
4. Most of the trail is above treeline. Mount Ida is far up ahead. |
5. You soon reach a rock pile known by some as 'Marmot Village'. You can count on seeing Marmots here. |
6. The trail as it crosses the tundra just a few feet below the continental divide. |
7. There were lots of Northern Paintbrush scattered all over the tundra, not usually in clusters like this though. |
8. Still climbing the tundra. Mount Ida is straight ahead, although what you see is a false summit. |
9. This is looking down a drainage that leads to Forest Canyon. |
10. You get a great view of the Never Summer Range from the trail. Super Size It! (492kB) Photo only. Super Size It! (533kB) With peak identification. |
11. There was a group of about 10 Ptarmigan here, both adults and chicks. They are so well camouflaged that if they don't move, you don't see them! |
12. You get to this point and you wonder, is that the true summit? |
13. Yep, we're getting close now. You'll notice that there is some pink in the snow here. The color is caused by thriving communities of algae. Here is a link to an explanation. Biology of Snow: Watermelon Snow |
14. Ah! My first good look down into the Gorge Lakes area. |
15. The summit! This rock is the highest point on the summit and this marmot beat me to it. |
16. What a view this guy has! |
17. The view toward Grand Lake. |
18. There's Terra Tomah and Mount Julian. The lakes are Inkwell Lake and Azure Lake. |
19. A panorama of the Gorge Lakes area. Highest Lake seems to be hidden by Chief Cheley Peak. Arrowhead Lake is also hidden. Super Size It! (423kB). |
20. That is Rock Cut on the other side of Forest Canyon. |
21. A closer look at Rock Cut. |
22. Longs Peak through the haze. |
23. This shot of a bighorn ewe and lamb was taken at 'Marmot Village' on the way back down. I almost missed them. They blend in with their surroundings pretty well too. |