Some features along the way were the Arch Rocks
The Pool, an indentation of the Big Thompson River
and more waterfalls
Now that waterfalls were no big deal, some of us were getting quite daring....
I was captivated by the mix of wildflowers studding the path like jewels, each more beautiful than the last.
I was shooting pictures compulsively until I realized that I was taking shots of flowers that volunteer in my own garden at home. In this context, even the most humble bloom looked like a prizewinner:
Simone led the way to our final destination of the day, the stunning Fern Lake:
We didn't see a lot of wildlife on this walk, but I was fascinated by the landscape itself, the tenacity of the rocks and plants and water that were struggling to survive and quite literally holding their ground.
An infestation of pine beetles has been terrorizing the pine trees in this region. As I understand it, these insects burrow into the trees and leave behind a fungus which attacks the tree. The tree responds by oozing sap to force the beetle out, but it's a losing battle. Once the beetle eggs hatch, they compromise the tree further by consuming the inner bark. The damaged trees eventually turn a purplish brown color, which looks picturesque from a distance, belying the individual coniferous devastation. And yet, the rangers observe that this process is helping to thin out the forest and make way for healthier trees.
One could observe the various stages of the coniferous life cycle as weathered trees like this
rubbed shoulders with the next generation.
And yet, even the dead trees were regal and majestic in their fierce beauty.
Some of the trees we saw looked as stubborn as the gold-diggers who once tried their luck in these mountains. This is not a place where you give up without a struggle.
Speaking of struggle, I was very proud of the kids for sticking with the trail even when it was tough going. The trail mix helped, as well as the prospect of ice cream at Estes Park after the hike.
How wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
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