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Trails Correspondent Marlene Borneman reports in on her recent trip to the West Side Of Rocky Mountain National Park: West Side RMNP This past week my husband and I got to spend time on the west side of RMNP. Please do not misunderstand when I say we have held the west side of Rocky special in our hearts for many years. We enjoy every square inch of Rocky from corner to corner. However, as soon as Trail Ridge Road opens in the spring until it closes in the fall, we hike, climb and backpack as much as possible on the west side of the divide. There is something about fewer trails, remote lakes/peaks and the sheer ruggedness that is a strong pull. The west side of the divide receives more precipitation resulting in lush, captivating forest, powerful waterfalls, vast meadows and a variety of plant life. Summer 2020 was no exception. We did several cross-country hikes and backpacking trips to remote areas. I’m pleased we took the time and effort to make these trips happen and fully took in all that surrounded us. Who knew what was to happen in the coming weeks that would dramatically take that away? I read reports and have seen a few photos of the trailheads from the fire damage, but nothing prepares you for hiking/snowshoeing the trails that are affected by the Troublesome Creek fire! The blacken sticks on the hillsides, charred lichen on rocks, the private cabin in Summerland Park along the North Inlet Trail destroyed. I worry about the streams; will they be healthy? I feel much discomfort, but strangely also comfort in nature’s healing. I am thankful for what the fire did not take away. Much of the Never Summer Range is intact, Timber Lake Trail, Colorado River Trail, Holzwarth Ranch intact. I saw bright spots among the destruction; snow on the ground and frozen ice crystals that will nourish plant life, a green ponderosa pine sapling, , the sunset over Mount Craig and Grand Avenue with shops and restaurants open for business.  Looking across frozen Grand Lake to the west viewing hillsides of sticks...  The Ranger Station at the entrance of RMNP on the West Side  Another view of Ranger Station at entrance west side RMNP  Near the Kawuneeche Visitor Center  A work of art by the hands of the Troublesome fire along the connector trail from the Kawuneeche Visitor Center down to the Tonahutu Trail  Long winter shadows on a forlorn forest in the wake of the Troublesome creek fire...  A large pine stripped from top to bottom left with a skeleton view along the Tonahutu Trail  Remains of the sign post at the junction of the Tonahutu Trail and Kawuneeche Visitor Center  somehow these markings are beautiful!  Burned lichen on a rock  Along the North Inlet Trail  Along the North Inlet Trail  In Summerland Park along the North Inlet Trail RMNP charred sign marking private property with a cabin that burned  The private cabin in Summerland Park along the North Inlet Trail….  Right on Trail Ridge Road  Right off Trail Ridge Road before leaving RMNP. Interesting with the trees snapped/ bent to the ground???  Looking west on Trail Ridge Road cleared hills as far as the eye can see...  Driving on TRR  Heading into Grand Lake on Trail Ridge Road  One of my husband’s (Walt) favorite tree in the RMNP a Douglass Fir spared...  Timber Lake Parking Lot empty on a winter’s day  Snowshoeing Timber Lake Trail  Bluebird skis and white snow fluff on the Timber Lake Trail  Breaking trail on the Timber Lake Trail  Timber Lake Trail in winter  Snowshoeing Timber Lake Trail  Looked for signs of nature already healing form the Troublesome Creek Fire... Thank you Snowy Peaks Winery for sponsoring Notes From the Trail  Visit : www.snowypeakswinery.com
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"The wild requires that we learn the terrain, nod to all the plants and animals and birds, ford the streams and cross the ridges, and tell a good story when we get back home." ~ Gary Snyder
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“Hiking -I don’t like either the word or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains - not hike! Do you know the origin of the word ‘saunter?’ It’s a beautiful word. Away back in the Middle Ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going, they would reply, A la sainte terre,’ ‘To the Holy Land.’ And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers. Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not ‘hike’ through them.” ~ John Muir |