Yesterday, my friends Tim and Rob, and me, went searching for the best place to avoid the hordes of tourists wandering around Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). So we decided to try the Wild Basin Area and go all the way up to Finch Lake. Well, that turned out to be a big mistake. There were no parking spaces. So, we headed to Allenspark and picked up the trail to Finch and Pear Lake. All the way up we were treated to gorgeous wild flowers: arnica, yellow globe, marsh marigolds, and even the remarkable and elusive lady slipper miniature orchid.
Finch Lake was stunning, but we didn't want to climb back up out of the basin. So, we decided to bushwhack down to Calypso Cascades and take the trail from there back to our car. Tim knew of a fire trail that he said might be easier. Well, after hours of slipping, sliding, and chopping our way over dead trees and brush, and falling over streams, boulders and tree roots, we finally found the faint, rarely (if ever) used fire lane and made it down to Calypso Cascades. By then I had a bloody knee, torn pants, scratched hands and two bloody toes. It was a mere nine-mile adventure. This is just to say that fire lanes in RMNP are not always easier, nor are they clearly delineated. The one we found was more like a deer trail. However, it was fun to see the expressions of the people who watched us emerge from the dense subalpine forest. We were a motley crew, covered in sap, dirt and blood (me)! I think I'll stick to the regular trail next time, but it was our Fourth of July adventure.
Then we dragged our tired bodies to dinner downtown and then back to Scott and Mary Jean's house where we were staying, and played with the Ugandan family's children (who were also guests), while their parents prepared their dinner. Outside the constellations were bright and riveting in the sky. Scorpion's red star pulsated and flickered like a lovely celestial ruby. I plan on staying close to home today to rest from all my hiking wounds!
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