A Full-time Life

A WINTER ‘HIKE’

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It was 20 degrees F when we visited Rocky Mountain National Park earlier this month.   Three guesses which of these hikes we chose:

 

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I'm sure our Colorado son and daughter-in-law could have done any … or all … of these, but they were kind and went easy on the old folks.  

  

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Of course 256 feet is more than far enough to see beautiful scenery in this National Park.   Here's  Bear Lake after our "long" hike.

 

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Signs like the one in the middle picture don't seem to be too effective.  "Thin ice possible" is kind of waffly.  Pretty much anything is possible at any time or anywhere, so I think people tend to ignore these warnings.   Obviously these  people (strangers) weren't worried about falling through the ice.  

 

 

Sharing with OUR WORLD on Tuesday, with thanks to Lady Fi, Arija, Gattina, Sylvia, Sandy and Jenn.

and with

SIGNS SIGNS on Thursday.  Thank you to Lesley.

We appreciate all visitors and commenters! Thank you.

46 responses to “A WINTER ‘HIKE’”

  1. NatureFootstep

    I jusat hate it when people walk on ice. Especially when it might be to thin. 🙁

  2. Andy

    Wow! This is beautiful scenery.

  3. orchid

    Dearest Sallie; How beautiful Bear Lake is with the winter view☆☆☆ Oh, there must be a bit of danger being on the ice of the lake; surly cation sign doesn’t seem to be working. On the other hand, I LOVE the beautiful blue sky with the ice and mountain range
    Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*

  4. Halcyon

    It’s good they give you the indications so you can make the right choice. I’ve always loved hiking, but my husband finds it boring.

  5. Margy

    Thanks for coming over and visiting my blogs and commenting. You asked about drilling a hole in the ice to see how thick it is. We usually travel the backcountry by quad with our friend. He is prepared with all kinds of tools. To check the depth of ice, he uses his pick ax and just uses big blows to break through the ice with the pointed end. Nothing fancy. – Margy

  6. VioletSky

    So many lakes. And so many lovely names 🙂

  7. RedPat

    The sun shining on snow makes for a beautiful day! I wouldn’t be out on that ice though.

  8. Taken For Granted

    Years ago we walked to the top of Flat Top Mountain. Is was suppose to be a warm up walk for climbing Longs Peak. Flat Top was enough, never went up Longs Peak. This sign brings back good memories.

  9. Tom The Backroads Traveller

    The 256′ hike sounds good to this old and out of shape guy. Tom The Backroads Traveller

  10. Marleen

    Lots of walks to choose from. Beautiful scenery!

  11. Geoff

    The short hike was absolutely the right length for us too. Well, for me anyway.

  12. Debbie

    oohhhhh it’s just beautiful but I would need a swift kick in the butt to do any of those 😉

  13. Margy

    Lakes in our backcountry freeze, but you do have to be careful about breaking through. It’s a good idea to chop a hole to see how thick it is before going on it, and to keep eyes open for cracks and holes. – Margy

  14. Karen

    Looks like a wonderful day out!But would be frightened to walk on the ice. I think Bear lake sounds tempting!

  15. Chris Rohrer

    Okay…..I love the cold…..but not that cold! Lovely area! No walking on that ice. Two men had to be rescued in my hometown in Wisconsin because the ice cracked and broke apart from the main chunk. Scary!

  16. EG CameraGirl

    It’s a beautiful place! I would be tempted to walk many of these trail!

  17. Carletta

    I would have taken the short route too. 🙂
    Still beautiful to see.
    As much as I would have wanted to walk out on the frozen water I wouldn’t have. Call me chicken!
    BTW- it would nice if you were related to those Sharp families here in WV. You could come and we could get an inside tour of the whole farm!

  18. Penny

    I would have chosen the same route, Sallie. 🙂 Rocky Mountain National Park is one of my favorite spots to be (silly to call such immense beauty a spot) and seeing your photos brings such a joyful feeling to me right now.
    Glad you didn’t attempt the ice.

  19. Penelope Puddlisms

    The soft covering of snow hides the dangers and gives people a false sense of security. We often do not pay proper heed to signs along the way, especially when they are nebulous.

  20. Phil

    I think that simply names of those walks would make me spoilt for choice. I must say that Nymph, Dream and Emerald would win the day as they are so descriptive and who would not want to see and dream about a few nymphs on their way to view an Emerald Lake?

  21. diane

    It sure is pretty but freezing cold. I don’t think that I would ignore those signs.

  22. 【ツ】Knipsa

    I would have loved to get to see all lakes.
    Especially the Bierstadt (beer city in German) :))
    And I never go on ice unless there is a sign
    saying that it is safe to go on it.
    Wishing you a joyful holiday season too 🙂
    【ツ】Knipsa

  23. Traveling Cats

    I’m in awe looking at those pictures. Beautiful.

  24. Arija

    Now that’s my kind a hike! 256′ even I could manage and enjoy into the bargain.
    Beautiful country Sallie but then, that’s what one expects of the Rockies.

  25. Ramblingwoods

    That’s the one I would have chosen

  26. bj

    Deathly afraid of falling thru thin ice…scary..
    Glad you had fun in the snow…brrrr…

  27. Rajesh

    Amazing place for a hike.

  28. Barb

    I’m glad you got to play in the snow, Sallie.

  29. Al

    Very beautiful! This time of year the ice is probably pretty safe.

  30. Rainfield

    To them, ““sometimes it takes a good fall to really know where you stand”.

  31. Felicia

    beautiful bear lake.
    too bad those folks don’t pay attention it could cost them a dunk in the icy lake or their life.

  32. Sondra-SC

    That could be a fatal mistake. It sure is a pretty spot..

  33. Eileen

    Bear Lake is a place I recognized from my trip to Colorado. Your photos with the snow and ice and beautiful. It is a lovely park for hiking and scenic views.. Great photos, Sallie.. Enjoy your week!

  34. fun60

    What beautiful scener.y

  35. Carver

    Beautiful shots. Looks like a great hike.

  36. artmusedog and carol

    Gorgeous photography and what a place ~ Beautiful!
    Happy Week to you,
    artmusedog and carol

  37. Mick

    Beautiful scenery but I would want to be very sure how strong the ice was before venturing out on it. It always amazes me how people don’t seem to pay attention to signs. I hope you had really warm clothing!!

  38. sylviakirk

    Such a beautiful, snowy place and worth getting cold to visit!! Have a great week, Sallie!!

  39. Colleen

    I love the empty slate of snow.
    My grandson play war and there was one in The Nutcracker!

  40. Gaelyn

    I was told by a park visitor, “Only 10% of people read signs.”
    Short and sweet!

  41. craftygreenpoet

    lovely view, looks chilly though

  42. Gail Dixon

    I would have chosen the same hike! lol Such a beautiful area to explore. The Thin Ice sign would get my attention and I would not take any chances.

  43. Lowell

    20 degrees sounds like Ocala these days. This is the coldest I remember it in 10 years – down in the 30s many nights so far. Crazy. I think we may have to move back further south but then climate change is already causing flooding in downtown Miami so that’s not good! 🙂
    Re thin ice: I seem to recall numerous occasions where I heard the words: “Be careful, you’re skatin’ on pretty thin ice here!”
    But I wasn’t skating and there was no ice around. What do you think they meant? :))
    Thanks for your comments!

  44. Linda

    I would HATE to fall through ice…you go down and come up some place else UNDER ice…never a good thing. Ever.
    Linda
    http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/?s=The+Adventures+of+Fuzzy+and+Boomer&submit=Search
    http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

  45. TexWisGirl

    a bit too nippy for me, too! 🙂

  46. Hazel

    Gosh, you must be hardy! But it is perhaps clear and crisp, as opposed to the cold, damp we get in UK Midlands.

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