HIKE ROCKY magazine, June 2021

HIKE ROCKY m a ga z i n e Vol. I, Issue 7 June, 2021

a publication of

HIKE ROCKY The summer hiking season is here! While there's s ll snow on the mountain peaks, many of the trails are nearly snow-free. The aspens and willows are leafed out and the elk have shed their winter coats and are spor ng a new summer look. The streams are flowing full and traffic is flowing over Trail Ridge Road again.

Rocky has been graced with a moist spring, but the days are warming up. Get ready with our June issue!

To get you started, we take a look at one of the lower eleva on trails, the Cub Lake-The Pool loop, which can also be done as separate hikes to either Cub Lake or The Pool. These trails have just been reopened a er being closed from last fall’s East Troublesome fire. You can read about those hikes, and the Estes Cone.

That fire changed the landscape for a good por on of Rocky, on both the east and west side of the Con nental Divide. Managing Editor Barb Boyer Buck reports from the Kawuneeche Valley on the west side, including a hike up the Onahu Creek Trail. A number of trails remain closed as a result of the devasta ng fire and the recovery will be a part of Rocky for many decades.

Meanwhile, trail correspondent, Marlene Borneman, takes us up the St Vrain Mountain. Our man with a bike, Murray, takes a bike ride up the west side of Trail Ridge and finds an obstacle blocking his path. Murray also gives us a field review of the JetBoil MiniMo stove, should this be included in the dayhiker pack?

Summer me in the Rockies also means hummingbirds and our avian expert, Sco Rashid gives us all the buzz on hummingbirds of Colorado. Meanwhile, Barb buzzes around plein-air ar st Cliff Aus n and David Harms. And don't forget to try out the latest pop-wildflower-quiz

Top: The Kawuneeche Valley of RMNP in 2015. detail from this issue’s Featured Photo, by Pamela Johnson Cover photo: This early summer scene near Emerald Lake was taken by Sharon Burgit, who is moving to Estes Park in July.

Her statement: “I’m moving from Phoenix to reside in Estes in July a er six visits to RMNP since last June. I’m a very amateur photographer, it’s RMNP who gets all the credit for being so photogenic! I’ll be busy in Estes working at Good Samaritan Society and WayFinder Cleaners and building my home-based business of nails, lashes and massage. I look so forward to joining the amazing communi es of Estes and RMNP!” offered up by Marlene Borneman.

Our June issue is overflowing like the Big Thompson River in Moraine Park! Enjoy!

Dave Rusk, Publisher

HIKE ROCKY Magazine is a publication of Barefoot Enterprises, LLC, and RockyMountainDayHikes.com, Estes Park, Colorado.

HikeRockyMagazine@gmail.com Volume 1, Issue 7, June 15, 2021 Copyright 2021, all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited.

Publisher: Dave Rusk Managing Editor: Barb Boyer Buck Copy Editor: Sybil Barnes Sales: Cynthia Elkins Contributors to the June, 2021 edition: Scott Rashid, Marlene M. Borneman, Barb Boyer Buck, Dave Rusk, Murray Selleck, Sharon Burgit, Pamela Johnson

a note from the managing editor Summer has arrived in Rocky Mountain Na onal Park with an explosion of new growth, high water from snowmelt, and beau ful wildflowers in lower eleva ons. Finally, we see some of what the East Troublesome Fire has done to several of our favorite trails and it’s a heartbreaking sight. Traveling over Trail Ridge Road at the beginning of this month put in focus the ferocity of this fire as it traveled through Rocky.

This fire and the Cameron Peak Fire, consumed 30,000 acres in RMNP, the most ever in a single fire season.

But we also celebrate the return of the summer and a pre y wet early-season, which is wonderful - we’ve been in a drought for years.

call for submissions Here at HIKE ROCKY magazine, we welcome quality content from writers and photographers who love Rocky Mountain Na onal Park as much as we do!

Email your story idea and/or photos to HikeRockyMagazine@gmail.com to be considered for publica on and to inquire about what we pay to our contributors. HIKE ROCKY is a collabora on, con nually seeking to involve our online community!

cover photo contest Each month, we will feature a cover photo from a photographer who lives and breathes Rocky Mountain Na onal Park. Photo submissions must be received by the end of the month to be considered for the following month’s cover. The photo must have been taken in Rocky, not previously published (except for social media), and be seasonal.

The winner will receive a cash prize, free access to the edi on that features his or her photo, and online promo on.

A hint about what we are looking for to grace our cover every month is included in our weekly email blast.

To sign up for no fica ons, visit: h p://rockymountaindayhikes.com/hike-rocky-emailno fica on-page.html - Barb Boyer Buck, Managing Editor, HIKE ROCKY

table of contents

click on any of the links below to be taken straight to the story

Sunower ID Quiz, by Marlene Borneman

RMNP UPDATES HIKE ROCKY

News from Rocky Mountain National Park, May 16- June 15

Trails of the Month: Cub Lake, The Pool, and the Cub Lake-Pool Loop Summiting St. Vrain Mountain, by Marlene Borneman

Up, up, and AWAY: Biking Trail Ridge Road in May,

by Murray Selleck Early Summer Hiking by Dave Rusk Hot water in the backcountry, a JetBoil stove review,

by Murray Selleck

ART IN ROCKY

Painting in Lumpy Ridge, demonstrations by Cliff Austin and David Harms, by Barb Boyer Buck

FEATURES Feature Photo: The Kawuneeche Valley in June, 2015, by Pamela Johnson Devastated by Fire, the Kawuneeche Valley in June, 2021

by Barb Boyer Buck The hummingbirds of Colorado, by Scott Rashid Answers to May’s quiz: Rocky’s Orchids, by Marlene Borneman Coming next month in HIKE ROCKY

Sunower ID quiz

by Marlene Borneman

The Sunflower Family (Asteraceae) is the largest flowering family in Colorado with a total of 562 species/subspecies, and varie es! Try your skills in iden fying these flowers from the sunflower family, found from the foothills to the alpine.

Inspired by the Colorado Na ve Plants Society.

A

B

C

D

E

F

RMNP UPDATES

On May 28, 2021, local officials Travis Machalek, Estes Park Town Administrator, Jody Shadduck-McNally, Larimer County Commissioner, Steve Kudron, Grand Lake Mayor, and John Crone, Grand Lake Town Manager, join RMNP Superintendent Darla Sidles and other park staff to cut the ribbon to open Trail Ridge Road for the season. RMNP photo

Editor’s note: the following are reprints of RMNP news releases, issued between May 16 and June 15, 2021.

May 18,2021 - RMNP news release Last Week’s Disturbance In Lumpy Ridge area of Rocky Mountain Na onal Park On Thursday a ernoon, May 13, park rangers at Rocky Mountain Na onal Park responded to cell phone reports from park visitors who indicated there was a man running down the Gem Lake Trail, toward the Lumpy Ridge Trailhead parking area, yelling that he was being chased by someone with a rifle. While rangers were responding to the area, they received an addi onal report about a woman who had been knocked down on the Gem Lake Trail by a man running down the trail.

Once on scene, park rangers began to search the area and approximately 400 yards from the trailhead, they located a male subject si ng on the trail who appeared to be injured. It was determined this person was the man who was reportedly running down the trail. He appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance. Rangers detained this subject, who was

Photo taken near the Lumpy Ridge trailhead on May 13, 2021

by Barb Boyer Buck

comba ve. He was ul mately transported by ambulance to Estes Park Health for treatment.

A short me later, the injured woman hiked to the parking area with help from Good Samaritan park visitors. She was treated for her injuries at the trailhead and transported by ambulance to Estes Park Health.

While addi onal informa on was being gathered, rangers, with assistance from the Estes Park Police Department K-9 Unit, con nued to search the Gem Lake Trail for any indica on of firearm use and/or any other persons of interest based on reported

descrip ons.

It was determined a group of three males were together for a hike at Lumpy Ridge, including the subject. The remaining two males were subsequently contacted on the Gem Lake Trail and escorted to the parking area. The hospitalized male was determined to be under the influence of narco cs. No weapons were found in the area and there were no addi onal reports of a person carrying a rifle. Rangers contacted approximately 30 people on the trail who stated they did not hear any gunshots or see an armed individual during their visit to the area. The case is under inves ga on and park rangers are working with the United States A orney’s Office on charges. No further informa on is available at this me.

temperatures visitors should be prepared for icy condi ons. Winter weather is forecast for higher eleva ons later this holiday weekend. Park visitors should be prepared to adjust travel plans accordingly and are encouraged to call the park’s Trail Ridge Road recorded phone line at (970) 586-1222. Park staff will update the recorded line when/if the road status changes.

Alpine Visitor Center and Trail Ridge Store are scheduled to open tomorrow, Saturday, May 29.

Timed Entry System Effec ve May 28 Rocky Mountain Na onal Park has implemented a temporary med entry permit reserva on system which began today, May 28. Park staff are managing for significant increases in visita on to public lands in Colorado, including Rocky Mountain Na onal Park, along with con nued Covid-19 concerns, ongoing park seasonal staff shared housing challenges, and residual fire impacts in some areas of the park from historic fires in 2020.

There are two types of reserva ons available. One permit is for the Bear Lake Road Corridor, which includes the en re corridor and access to the rest of the park. This reserva on period is from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. The second permit is for the rest of Rocky Mountain Na onal Park, excluding the Bear Lake Road corridor, and includes Trail Ridge Road. This reserva on period is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Permits issued using the reserva on system will allow park visitors to enter the park within two-hour windows of availability. The reserva on system will apply to all areas of the park. To learn more visit h ps://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/ medentry-permit-system.htm

Rock Cut during snow removal opera ons on May 14, 2021.

RMNP photo

May 28, 2021 - RMNP news release Trail Ridge Road Opens For The Season This a ernoon, Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain Na onal Park opened for the season. Due to mel ng snow on the road and the poten al for freezing

Trail Ridge Road historically opens on Memorial Day weekend; last year the road opened on June 3, due to a late May snowstorm. The earliest the road has opened was on May 7, 2002; the latest June 26, 1943. Trail Ridge Road is the highest con nuous paved road in the United States, climbs to 12,183 feet and connects the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake. Trail Ridge Road officially closed for the season last year on October 31.

Na onal Park Service plow operators began clearing the snow in the middle of April. Crews from the west side of the park and crews from the east side of the park move along the road and eventually meet at the

The Alpine Visitor’s Center on May 14, 2021.

RMNP photo

Alpine Visitor Center. The visitor center is the highest in the Na onal Park Service, si ng at 11,796 feet above sea level. Spring storms o en impact plowing ac vi es.

This year, crews ran into average or above average snowpack on the east side of the Con nental Divide and lower than average snowpack on the west side of the Con nental Divide.

For more informa on about Rocky Mountain Na onal Park visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Informa on Office at (970) 586-1206. For a recorded status line on Trail Ridge Road please call (970) 5861222.

RMNP News Release - June 1, 2021 Hazardous Fuels Reduc on Work inside the Park Boundary Adjacent to Allenspark Hazardous fuels reduc on projects take place in strategic loca ons within Rocky Mountain Na onal Park. The most recent project will take place along Rocky Mountain Na onal Park’s boundary adjacent to Allenspark. Work will include removing dead trees, the lower limbs of remaining trees, ladder fuels, and dead and down logs. Resul ng woody materials will be piled on site and burned during winter when condi ons allow.

The reduc on of hazardous fuels is a significant preventa ve management tool for managing wildfire near structures and communi es. These projects are done to protect life and property and enhance the safety of firefighters and their ability to manage fire within the park.

Fuels reduc on in the Wild Basin area, adjacent to Allenspark started this month. RMNP photo

When figh ng the East Troublesome Fire in 2020 and the Fern Lake Fire in 2012, firefighters were able to take advantage of previous and exis ng prescribed fire and hazardous fuels treatment areas that provided a buffer between the fire and the town of Estes Park. Prior hazard fuels projects were instrumental in stopping the fire from jumping Bear Lake Road and Trail Ridge Road.

Fuels reduc on projects cannot be a stand-alone defense against wildfire. It is advisable that addi onal fuels reduc on be completed on private property to meet Firewise mi ga on and Hardening Your Home efforts. To learn more about how you can protect your home and help firefighters, please visit: h ps://www.nfpa.org/Public-Educa on/Fire-causesand-risks/Wildfire/Preparing-homes-for-wildfire h p://www.readyforwildfire.org/Hardening-YourHome/ For more informa on about Rocky Mountain Na onal Park please visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Informa on Office at (970) 586-1206.

Early Tuesday morning, park rangers received a 911 call of an injured hiker near Loch Vale. The 32-year-old male had suffered a lower leg injury a er slipping and falling on snow. A hasty team of park rangers reached the man around 8:30 a.m. and provided emergency medical care. A team of twenty Rocky Mountain Na onal Park Search and Rescue Team members carried the man via a li er. A paramedic from Estes Park Health also assisted in the rescue. The rescuers dealt with unfavorable trail condi ons at high eleva ons due to so , mel ng snow. Rescuers arrived at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead around 3:40 p.m. The man was taken by ambulance to Estes Park Health.

Wild Basin potholes, 2021. RMNP photo

RMNP News Release - June 2, 2021 Wild Basin Road Will Be Closed To All Uses Monday, July 19 through Friday, July 23 Beginning Monday, July 19 through Friday, July 23, the Wild Basin Road in Rocky Mountain Na onal Park will be closed to all uses, including vehicles and pedestrians. This closure will occur at the Wild Basin Entrance sta on and will include the en re two-mile sec on of the road to the Wild Basin Trailhead.

At 2 p.m. a second request was received from the Loch regarding a 28- year-old female who fell from standing height at Timberline Falls. She was reported to be slowly moving down the trail. During her selfevacua on, park visitors provided care to the pa ent and assisted her with walking. A two-person park hasty team was dispatched and encountered the pa ent just below Loch Lake. They provided micro spikes and trekking poles, and further assisted the pa ent down the trail. They arrived near the Glacier Gorge trailhead at 7:15. The pa ent self-transported to Estes Park Health.

Due to this year’s heavy wet spring snowstorms and increased visita on this spring, the Wild Basin Road has major potholes and residual drainage issues. Visitors should drive slowly, stay on the road and not drive around potholes onto the surrounding vegeta on.

Rocky Mountain Na onal Park’s road crew will be spreading gravel and grading this narrow road to eliminate ruts and potholes as well as improving drainage. Due to the road being closed to all uses from July 19 through July 23, visitors should avoid this area of Rocky Mountain Na onal Park during this me. For further informa on about Rocky Mountain Na onal Park, please visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park’s Informa on Office at (970) 586-1206.

RMNP News Release - June 4, 2021 Two Incidents In Loch Vale Area Early This Week Related To Falls On Snow On Tuesday, June 1, park rangers responded to two separate incidents where individuals suffered leg injuries from falling on snow.

Rescue effort at Loch Vale on June 1. RMNP photo

Neither pa ent was wearing trac on devices at the me of their falls. This spring, RMNP’s Search and Rescue Team have responded to numerous incidents with leg injuries in the Loch Vale and Sky Pond area.

Deep snow and fluctua ng spring temperatures make for tricky trail condi ons. Park visitors should expect icy, narrow, and steep trails on the way to Loch Vale.

Past Loch Vale visitors s ll have two more miles le to Sky Pond where the snow gets deeper, the trails get icier, and the terrain is difficult to navigate. Condi ons at similar eleva ons in the park are comparable.

Be prepared for winter like condi ons at higher eleva ons in Rocky Mountain Na onal Park. Planning ahead and bringing trac on devices, warm winter clothes, sturdy boots and poles, headlamps, and a knowledge of how to navigate the terrain are crucial.

Peregrine falcon. USFS photo

RMNP News Release - June 4, 2021 Addi onal Closures Put In Place In Lumpy Ridge Area To Protect Nes ng Peregrine Falcons Addi onal climbing closures have been implemented on the Le Book, The Bookmark, and Bookmark Pinnacle in the Lumpy Ridge Area of Rocky Mountain Na onal Park. Peregrine falcons have been observed displaying con nuous aggressive territorial behavior toward climbers in the vicinity of an ac ve nes ng area.

Peregrine falcons can dive at speeds of over 200mph and may cause bodily harm to humans when defending their territory. If disturbance pressure from climbers is sustained near a nes ng area, falcons will abandon their nest causing chick mortality. For the safety of both visitors and this federally protected wildlife species these addi onal climbing closures have been put in place. Closures will be monitored regularly and li ed once breeding ac vity is no longer observed.

Each year to protect raptor nes ng sites, Rocky Mountain Na onal Park officials ini ate temporary closures in areas of the park. To ensure that these birds of prey can nest undisturbed, specific areas within the park are closed temporarily to public use during nes ng season and monitored by wildlife managers. Due to high nes ng ac vity last year closures began earlier this year on February 15, rather than March 1. These closures will con nue through July 31, if appropriate.

These closures are ac vely monitored and may be extended longer or rescinded at an earlier date depending on nes ng ac vity.

Closures that have been in place since February 15 include Cathedral Wall in the Loch Vale area. The areas above the Loch Vale-Sky Pond Trail are closed to off trail travel. In the Lumpy Ridge area closures include Checkerboard Rock, Lightning Rock, Batman Rock, Batman Pinnacle, Sundance, Thunder Bu ress, The Parish, The Book, and Twin Owls, Rock One and now also include Le Book, The Bookmark, Bookmark Pinnacle. These closures include the named forma ons.

Closures include all climbing routes, outcroppings, cliffs, faces, ascent and descent routes and climber access trails to the named rock forma ons. Check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/area_closures.htm for updated informa on on raptor closures.

The Na onal Park Service is commi ed to preserving birds of prey. If nest sites are located or territorial behaviors such as aggressive divebombing/vocalizing or birds fleeing nest sites due to human disturbance are observed, please report the loca on to ROMO_Informa on@nps.gov.

The same cliffs that are cri cal for raptors also appeal to climbers. The coopera on of climbing organiza ons and individuals con nues to be essen al to the successful nes ng of raptors in the park.

RMNP News Release - June 13, 2021 Skier Dies On Sundance Mountain In Rocky Mountain Na onal Park This morning, Sunday, June 13, park rangers responded to reports of an unconscious skier on Sundance Mountain on a north facing aspect midway between Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road in Rocky Mountain Na onal Park. The 68-year-old male from Loveland, Colorado, died from injuries sustained in an

Snowfield on Sundance Mountain on June 13. RMNP photo

approximate 400 to 500-foot uncontrolled slide on a snowfield into rocks. The man was wearing a helmet.

The man was skiing alone but bystanders witnessed the fall and tried to render aid and no fied Rocky Mountain Na onal Park.

The vic m’s body was flown by Northern Colorado Interagency Helitak to a helispot in the Upper Beaver Meadows area of the park late this a ernoon. His body was then transferred to the Larimer County Coroner/Medical Examiner’s Office. The man’s name will be released a er next of kin are no fied.

TRAILS OF THE MONTH This Month, we are featuring the Cub Lake and Fern Lake trails. These trails have been closed to hiking since last fall a er the East Troublesome fire blew over the Con nental Divide. The Na onal Park reopened the Cub Lake Trail and the Fern Lake trail to The Pool as well as the connec ng trail between Cub Lake and The Pool comple ng the loop. However, the Fern Lake trail to Fern Falls and Fern Lake remains closed.

While the Cub Lake Trail area was spared from much of the fire, the area around Cub Lake was burned again, 8 years a er it was burned during the Fern Lake fire.

However, the trail to The Pool was heavily damaged from last fall's fire and it is just beginning the long process of healing.

Cub Lake Trail Cub Lake - 2.4 miles Moderate Hike Trailhead: Cub Lake Trailhead Eleva on: 8,080' Des na on Eleva on: 8,671' Total Eleva on Gain: 591' Total Roundtrip Miles: 4.8 Cub Lake, May 2021

RMDH Trail Guide link: h ps://rockymountaindayhikes. com/cub-lake-23.html

GPS Myhike allows you to download a map of the trail before you lose recep on in Rocky and indicates your posi on along the trail with a blue dot.

Free download! h ps://rockymountaindayhikes.com/ gpsmyhike-trail-app.html

Cub Lake, 2017 (Fern Lake Fire of 2012 scars)

Aspen grove on the trail, 2021

Cub Lake, 2004

Watch a video of a hike to Cub Lake at the end of last month, click to watch.

Fern Lake trail (to the Pool)

Watch a video of a recent hike to the Pool. Click on the photo above to view.

The Pool - 1.7 miles

2017 photo

Trailhead: Fern Lake Trailhead Eleva on: 8,155' Des na on Eleva on: 8,319' Total Eleva on Gain: 245' Total Roundtrip Miles: 3.4 RMDH Trail Guide link: h ps://rockymountaindayhikes.com/the-pool-17.html

2021 photo

The Pool/Cub Lake Loop - 5.5 miles Trailhead: Fern Lake/Cub Lake Trailhead Eleva on: 8,155'/8,080' Des na on Eleva on: 8,671' Total Eleva on Gain: 516'/591' Total Roundtrip Miles: 5.5 RMDH Trail Guide link: h ps://rockymountaindayhikes.com/poolcub-lake-loop546820.html

2017 photo

GPS myhike map of the loop between the Pool and Cub Lake.

The many shades of St. Vrain Mountain

The author experiences spectacular, expansive views of Wild Basin from the summit of St. Vrain Mountain.

Story and photos by Marlene Borneman Meadow Mountain and St. Vrain Mountain lay in the southeast corner of Rocky Mountain Na onal Park. The peak is named for a fur tradesman, Ceran St. Vrain, who owned a trading fort in the 1840s. St.Vrain Creek also bears his name. My husband, Walt, and I enjoy St. Vrain Mountain in the month of May while the slopes are s ll under snow. For sure, this peak can have unexpected challenges in spring. We carry micro-spikes and snowshoes as the snow condi ons are unpredictable and it is best to be prepared.

The St. Vrain Mountain Trail begins in Roosevelt Na onal Forest and passes through the Indian Peaks Wilderness areas before entering Rocky. In the early morning hours, we found the trail free of snow for the first mile. As we followed the big switchback up to treeline, the trail became snowpacked. We worked our way through stunted trees to a large snowfield and

The trail to St. Vrain Mountain begins in the Roosevelt Na onal forest, among aspen groves and old-growth forest.

finally to the saddle south of Meadow Mountain. At this point the trail was blown free of snow making a

perfect spot to take a break at the sign “entering RMNP.” The day was warm with a slight breeze. A few years ago at this exact same spot, we encountered a terrific blizzard that blew up quickly. We decided to wait it out under a large boulder. Sure enough, a er about 15 minutes, the storm blew over and the sun came out encouraging us to go on to the summit. In May 2020, we found much less snow on the trail given that year's extreme drought condi ons.

Following the trail another mile, we le the trail to hike southwest toward the summit. We avoided the krummholz as much as possible, climbing the large snowfield to the summit. Gaining 700 feet from here in 0.6 mile is quite a push. In summer months when the snow has melted this can be a strenuous climb up through large boulders. For us, it is enjoyable to simply kick steps up the snow. On the way down, if the snow condi ons are favorable, a good glissade is your reward.

The near-the-summit metal posts mark the Park boundary and lead to the summit. An occasional cairn also marks the path. It is wise to s ck to the well-worn path to the summit protec ng the fragile tundra. We linger on top to enjoy the superla ve views to the eastern plains, Wild Basin, and south to the Indian Peaks. As we le the summit, we met two skiers

The trail skirts in and out of Rocky

Snowfield heading up to the pass between Meadow Mountain and St. Vrain Mountain

Views of Longs, Meeker and Mount Alice start right away above treeline

Views of Indian Peak from the Summit of St. Vrain Mountain

Metal t-posts mark the na onal park boundary to the summit

Kicking steps up the final snowfield to St. Vrain Mountain summit

coming up to take advantage of the spring snows. For many years about this me, I have found alpine forgetme-nots, alpine primroses, alpine parsley, and alpine phlox in full bloom. Not this May. Nothing was green on the tundra due to recent snowstorms and cold temperatures. I finally spo ed a tu of forget-me-nots just star ng to show thick bristly hairy leaves.

We returned in our footsteps under Meadow Mountain where now the deep snow had so ened considerably.

Walt's snowshoes came in handy today to nego ate the snowfields back through the trees un l we again reached the trail. I, on the other hand, walked lightly across the snow without any problems.

Another good spring day in the high country. I'm already looking forward to May, 2022, an cipa ng what lays up there in the high reaches on St. Vrain Mountain.

Alpine Forget-Me-Nots star ng to green up above treeline

Marlene has been photographing Colorado's wildflowers while on her hiking and climbing adventures since 1979. Marlene has climbed Colorado's 54 14ers and the 126 USGS named peaks in Rocky. She is the author of Rocky Mountain Wildflowers 2Ed, The Best Front Range Wildflower Hikes, and Rocky Mountain Alpine Flowers, published by CMC Press. She has created the “Sunflower ID Quiz” for this issue of HIKE ROCKY magazine.

Snowshoes come in handy on the way down!

AWAY!

and

Editor’s note: this story was held from the May, 2021, edi on of HIKE ROCKY magazine because Trail Ridge Road had not been cleared of snow before last month’s publica on date.

Unfortunately, this was one of the years that Trial Ridge Road was never fully open to pedestrians and cyclists before it was open to motor vehicles.

Up, Up,

Biking Trail Ridge Road in May

At the end of this piece, we’ve embedded a vlog of Murray’s 2021 ride, taken on May 24, which includes photos from Marlene Borneman’s ride up the east side of Trail Ridge the day a er.

Both went as far as they could go.

On the way to Medicine Bow Curve in 2016

story and photos by Murray Selleck There is a small window of opportunity to bike Rocky Mountain Na onal Park’s (RMNP) Trail Ridge Road with virtually no motor vehicles.

This brief me frame is a er the huge snowblowers have cut their way through the massive snowdri s across the top, but before the gates on the Estes Park and Grand Lake sides of the Park have opened.

Bicyclists call this temporary opportunity heaven. There is a trick to pulling this ride off and, of course, it’s called ming.

ming of one car passing you with another car oncoming this three-way-squeeze-play is harrowing at best!

Weather has everything to do with ming this ride. I like to have the road completely plowed all the way across from Grand Lake to Estes Park before star ng up.

Each year RMNP opens Trail Ridge Road to all comers around Memorial Day (weather permi ng). Passenger cars, Sprinter vans, huge motor homes, trucks with towbehind trailers, and all manner of vehicles in between will soon be driving up and over this beauty of a road.

Once the gates are open to motor vehicles, riding a bike on Trail Ridge is a gamble at best. Distracted drivers, narrow lanes, no shoulder, not many guard rails, steep drop-offs, and if you happen to have the bad-luck

On the way to Medicine Bow Curve in 2016

This gives me more op ons as far as how much eleva on I want to climb and how far across I may want to ride.

So, once the road is cleared the next thing to do is watch the weather reports. When your weather window of opportunity appears, don’t delay. You may not get another chance.

Last year a late-May snow storm rolled over RMNP dumping and dri ing a couple feet of fresh snow across Trail Ridge. By the me the road crew had cleared the road a second me it was already past Memorial Day. The gates opened and I missed my (mostly) vehicle-free chance to ride.

(Note: You may encounter a handful of official RMNP vehicles on the road as they prepare to open Trail Ridge.

Rules of the road apply to bicyclists. Do not cross the double yellow lines no ma er how secure and motorvehicle free you feel).

Snowbanks near the top in 2016

In years past when the stars aligned and I’ve ridden Trail Ridge the ride has always been a highlight of my biking season. I look forward to it every year.

Snowbanks near the top with storm clouds building in 2016

The best way to describe biking Trail Ridge Road is it’s always an adventure. Each me is different and an opportunity to experience the subtle nuances and drama c power of RMNP. The one given is to be prepared for everything. Bring plenty of warm/breathable layers for the climb up. Pack windproof shells for the ride across and descent. Have plenty of water, some energy snacks, gloves, a hat to fit under your bike helmet, front and rear safety lights, and tuck in a measure of endurance. You’ll need all of this gear and plenty of resolve, as well.

Riding across the top of TRR in 2018

From either side of the Park, you’re looking at a minimum of 4,000 feet of lung-sucking climbing to get to the top.

The higher you climb, the colder it will become. As you leave treeline behind, count on the winds to pick up.

They will swirl and gust from all direc ons and try their best to blow you off your bike. As morning turns to early a ernoon watch for the clouds to build, blocking any warm sunshine and perhaps containing snow and thunder - and disappointment - as you see your idyllic day turn poten ally hazardous..

The Con nental Divide in 2018

Make a few mental notes of where running rivulets of water from mel ng snow are crossing the road. On your way back down what was once water may have returned to ice. Check your speed because narrow bike res on black ice is a prime spot to send you sliding.

Thankfully, I have never dumped my bike on my descents on Trail Ridge but I have experienced winds so strong I’ve been blown from one side of the road to the other.

I’ve ridden up there leaning my bike into stout crosswinds struggling to keep myself upright only to have the wind suddenly let up causing me to swerve into empty air and just as quickly crosswinds from the opposite side hit, me accelera ng that swerve to the edge of the road and a drop off. Unnerving to say the least!

I’ve also ridden in cold sunshine with snowflakes flying and my fingers so numb I couldn’t feel my brake levers.

And then there are the rides on Trail Ridge with endless blue skies and warm chinook breezes and horizon to horizon beauty that makes me want to ride Trail Ridge again and again.

At Medicine Bow Curve with lots of climbing yet to go in 2018.

In all my previous rides, I have started on the Grand Lake side at the Timber Lake trailhead parking lot.

I’ve climbed up the numbered switchbacks, over Milner Pass and the Con nental Divide, pedaled 180 degrees around Medicine Bow Curve while catching my breath and checking my mo va on seeing all the climbing and eleva on gain yet to come, paused for a weather check at the Gore Range Overlook, felt great at Tundra Curves and Iceberg Pass, free-wheeled through the impressive Rock Cuts, and then begin the turn-around calcula on.

How much farther across should I ride before I have too much climbing to do to get back up?

This year, with any luck, I will ride all the way over to Estes Park, stay the night with my good friend Dave Rusk (both of us fully vaccinated), and make the return trip up and over the following day.

Wish me weather luck. If I see you up there wave to me as we pass on our bikes pedaling at 12,000 feet eleva on - prac cally motor vehicle free. That’s pre y darn close to heaven.

Gore Range Overlook in 2018

More snowbanks in 2016. I never get red of riding next to these big dri s. They are like air condi oners. If you’re warm they feel great. If you are cold they just add to being more cold!

Click on the photo above to watch a video of the 2021 bike ride!

The Rock Cut in 2018. Look close and you can see another bike riding coming up the other lane

Side Notes: Here is the link to RMNP’s website page on biking the park: h ps://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/biking.htlm The ps and cau ons provided here are worth the read if you are thinking of giving this ride a go.

Also, Yellowstone Na onal Park and Glacier Na onal Park offer similar biking opportuni es on their iconic roads. Make a road trip out of it and ride all three this spring.

Yellowstone NP: h ps://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/spring-fallbicycling.htm) Glacier NP: h ps://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/bicycling.ht m

Murray Selleck moved to Colorado in 1978. In the early 80’s he split his me working winters in a ski shop in Steamboat Springs and his summers guiding on the Arkansas River. His career in the specialty outdoor industry has con nued for over 30 years.

Needless to say, he has witnessed decades of change in outdoor equipment and clothing. Steamboat Springs con nues to be home.

Early Summer Hiking story and photos by Dave Rusk The boots were hanging out the passenger window. I wasn't sure why, but since the black suburban with Illinois plates was coming out of Rocky Mountain Na onal Park and since the Park had been enjoying accumula ons of snow about every other day through much of May, I assumed the boots were wet from the trail and the passenger was hoping get some air drying done before they hit a local eatery. It seemed like a good sign of a moist spring.

Walking in the lower eleva ons of the Park now, I am seeing a plethora of blue Nelson's Larkspur and goldenyellow Whiskbroom Parsley, more than I usually see do ng the open fields. By the end of May, the spring snows finally gave way to a ernoon thunderstorms.

Water from a rising Big Thompson River overflows into the new grassy meadows of Moraine Park and it has started to back up into the Estes Park Post Office parking lot, giving us another way to gauge the early summer season. While much of Colorado west of the Con nental Divide and the Southwest in general, remains hot and dry and has started to flame up already, summer is off to a pre y good beginning in our Nelson’s (or Nu al’s) Larkspur

Shoo ng Stars

Whiskbroom parsley

On the summit of Estes Cone

neck of the woods with a predic on of a good wildflower year.

I started this transi onal me of the year with a hike up Estes Cone on May 20. It's a fun one that I have always thought was a good first-peak climb for a young hiker ge ng a taste of the Rocky Mountains. At 3.3 miles, the trail starts at the Longs Peak trailhead at 9,400'. The first 2/3 of the hike sees only a moderate amount of eleva on gain and travels by remnants of the early 1900 Eugenia Mine at about the halfway mark. A er crossing through Moore Park, with views of the final des na on looking so close, the trail begins to climb up the south shoulder of Estes Cone to Storm Pass.

In the 2.6 miles traveled to Storm Pass, the hiker has gained only 836 feet. But, with just 0.7 miles to go, the real challenge begins, with 774' of eleva on yet to overcome. Watch for rock cairns to keep track of the trail as it ascends though gnarled limber pines with glimpses of Longs Peak peeking through to admire while taking rest breaks. The hike culminates with a short rock scramble at the end, highlighted by a spectacular mountain backdrop, to give this hike its alpine climb experience. Topping out at just over 11,000', the views from the summit are 360 degrees,

Watch the video of Dave’s hike to Estes Cone on May 20, 2021, click on the photo above.

from the Diamond of Longs Peak extending north to the Mummy Range and down into the Estes Valley.

As the days of May roll into June, and the Golden Banner begins to bloom, I get antsy to hike some of the lower eleva on trails that I know will be nearly free of snow, in par cular the trail to Cub Lake and the Fern Lake trail to The Pool are some of my favorites.

While the snow is s ll mel ng off of the higher trails, these Montane hikes can give me an a ernoon nibble

of summer. However, because of fires that blew into the Park last fall and did significant damage to a large swath of the Na onal Park, numerous trails were closed through the winter and spring.

But at the end of May, the Park did open up a few trails (see the Map), including the Cub Lake/Pool Loop trail.

So, on the last day in May, I ventured up to Cub Lake to see what things looked like. I am pleased to report that most of this trail remains as it was and I enjoyed a casual stroll up the 2.4 miles up to the lake. The landscape around Cub Lake had been showing steady signs of recovery a er having been hit by the 2012 Fern Lake fire. Unfortunately, this area was once again scorched last fall, so the recovery process will begin again.

Having been encouraged by no significant impact on the Cub Lake trail, I wandered up the Fern Lake trail a week later. The devasta on and destruc on along that trail overwhelmed me. It was barely recognizable.

Scorched trees looked like charred skeletons caught in a raging inferno of this human-caused cataclysm, paralyzed as the conflagra on overtook them. The overflowing Big Thompson that used to flow through magnificent forests of pine and willows, was running in its usual full force, but now flowing by barren trees and over side channels of hardened ash, with sparse vegeta on emerging through like the rising phoenix.

As I hiked the trail, I recognized rock steps I had photographed 4 years prior that had been lined with lush green vegeta on, but were now en rely barren.

The rocks were like dental records, the only thing in the landscape that was recognizable. The 1.7 miles to The Pool is just a small stretch of the 30,000 acres that burned inside the Park boundaries, 10% of the Park.

Yes, fire is part of the natural process and, if given the chance, nature will heal itself. But this human-caused fire will take more than 100 years for the forest to fully recover, and the last fire in this area, also humancaused, was just eight years ago. Will the forest be given me to heal, I wondered?

Of course this summer, I will hike in the other parts of the Park that weren't torched by fire. Those places will undoubtedly be spectacular in all of its Rocky Mountain splendor. It would be easy to forget this destruc on and go on as if none of this ever happened. But I am certain I will return to the Fern Lake trail, I feel I must. Not only

RMNP map of current trail closures & openings (as of June 3, 2021)

The hike to The Pool travels through areas where the East Troublesome Fire roared through last fall.

During June of 2013, the hike to The Pool was recovering from the Fern Lake fire that occurred the year befor. This year, (below) swaths of charred earth are beginning to recover slowly from last year’s fire.

to remind myself of the destruc on that is possible if we are not careful, or even to witness nature’s willpower to heal itself, but to hold reverence for the places in Rocky that are s ll untouched, that are s ll preserved, that are s ll able to show us the powerful force of life and can help teach us how to live our lives.

Dave Rusk has been sauntering and taking photographs through Rocky Mountain Na onal Park for decades.

He is the author publisher of Rocky Mountain Day Hikes, a book of 24 hikes in Rocky, and the website of the same name. He is the publisher of HIKE ROCKY Magazine and an important content contributor to all of these endeavors.

A portable introduc on to 24 trails in Rocky Mountain Na onal Park, these trails range from very short, easy walks to long and more challenging hikes.

Purchase here

Hot water on the Trail a review of the JetBoil MiniMo Stove

Photos and story by Murray Selleck

including taste!

The Jetboil MiniMo stove has become my latest go-to piece of equipment I pack for day hikes.

So that brings me back to the Jetboil MiniMo stove this cri cal li le piece of equipment is my me machine and me manipulator.

Whether I plan to go for just a couple-hours’ saunter or a dawn-to-dusk mission, I’ll take it.

What’s the point?

The MiniMo is super easy to pack and to set up. It boils water incredibly fast. And it slows me down to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, a fun mid-day dessert, or a hungersa sfying cooked meal for lunch.

The Jetboil MiniMo system is the stove and 1 liter ke le that includes a lid, fuel can stabilizer, and pot support.

Fuel is sold separately.

All the above, plus a 100 gram fuel canister, will nest inside the ke le (excluding the pot support) for easy packing.

I’ve sat out monsoon thunderstorms that have dropped both heavy rain and temperature with a hot cup of coffee steaming in my hands and warming my belly.

Nothing is more enjoyable!

I’ve inten onally stopped and heated a drink at amazing overlooks that I have blazed by in the past, in such a hurry to arrive at my des na on that I never fully appreciated the view I was skipping. Stopping and cooking something creates a me-out. It allows me to linger. To listen. Breath deeply. I’ve created more me to take in my surroundings with all my senses...

The JetBoil MiniMo is compact and fits in your pack nicely!

When you’re ready to cook simply screw the stove to the fuel can, pour in as much water as you need into the ke le, a ach the ke le to the burner, turn the flame control a few rota ons to start the fuel flowing, click the piezo igniter to light the burner, and get ready for coffee. The water will be boiling in no me.

I chose the Jetboil MiniMo because usually, there are two of us hiking and the 1-liter ke le lets me boil enough water for both of us at a single me. A second boil may be required when re-hydra ng two freezedried meals, depending on how much water each meal requires.

There are a few design features that make this stove very efficient. First is the regulator. The regulator is the semi rectangular/semi oval metal disc on the stem of the burner. There is half-sun half-snowflake icon dead center on the regulator.

The regulator creates a steady output of flame regardless of how much fuel is in your canister. The regulator also helps keep the stove burning efficiently at higher al tudes and at colder temperatures.

All Mo stoves from Jetboil have a regulator: MiniMo, Sumo, MightyMo, and MicroMo. The original Jetboil Flash stove does not have a regulator so it may take longer to bring water to a boil at higher eleva ons and colder temperatures.

Another nice design feature is the flame control. The flame control handle will turn prac cally 8 full turns from off to full blast. With all that control you can fine tune the flame from a delicate simmer to something like a SpaceX rocket taking off.

Boiling water is super fast. Jetboil publishes that the MiniMo will boil two cups of water in just over two minutes. Depending on wind, al tude, and temperature your boil me may be even faster (think, Denver) or slower (think, top of Longs Peak).

The Flux Ring is a ached to the bo om of the ke le and is yet another design feature that speaks to the efficiency of this stove. The Flux Ring is a long series of metal loops that collects and concentrates heat to the bo om of the ke le. More efficiency and quicker boil mes save fuel.

If there is one single user-error that can damage any Jetboil stove it is when someone does not use the pot support while cooking with a skillet, larger pot, or something other than the ke le that comes with the stove.

If you place a flat-bo omed skillet directly on the burner without the pot support, the flame may escape out the sides and poten ally melt the base of the burner and/or damage the cozie on the outside of the ke le. User errors are not covered under warranty.

The other considera on when using any camping stove that comes with a piezo igniter is to always bring a backup. A lighter or matches will be your fail-safe if

somehow the piezo becomes damaged or simply wears out over me. Never take your stove on a day hike or mul -day backpack trip without a backup way to light your stove!

I believe many hikers haven’t considered taking a camping stove with them on their day hikes. And it may take planning a day hike with a stop in mind to heat up a drink to do just that.

When I think of some of my favorite backcountry memories, o en there is food or drink involved.

Perhaps it’s me to pack along a camping stove no ma er what kind of backcountry adventure you’re considering.

The shared warmth of hot chocolate on brisk fall day... a meal shared with friends taking in the view with a spectacular sunset..

It’s special how a stove can allow you to stop, look, listen, tune-in, and appreciate your surroundings. It shouldn’t be about how fast you can travel through country. It can be about the country itself.

Murray Selleck moved to Colorado in 1978. In the early 80’s he split his me working winters in a ski shop in Steamboat Springs and his summers guiding on the Arkansas River. His career in the specialty outdoor industry has con nued for over 30 years.

Needless to say, he has witnessed decades of change in outdoor equipment and clothing. Steamboat Springs con nues to be home.

Free download No in-app purchases Uses GPS to track your progress on the trail!

ART IN ROCKY

Capturing Lumpy Ridge on canvas Cliff Aus n of Aurora painted this scene in Rocky on April 8, 2021. Photo by Barb Boyer Buck

by Barb Boyer Buck The interes ng rock forma ons, sweeping views, and varied landscapes of the Lumpy Ridge area of RMNP are the perfect backdrop for a plein-air pain ng demonstra on, so HIKE ROCKY magazine invited fine ar sts Cliff Aus n of Aurora and David Harms of Centennial to come paint while we filmed them.

Cliff Austin's artist statement: ""The subject is light and contrast. The fascination is in the way light pours, splashes, and wraps around everything we see and contrasts the everyday with the extraordinary.”

Cliff started pain ng in 1980, a er gradua ng from the Rocky Mountain School of Art. This was before it was accredited and “a popular art school. One of the few at the me,” he said. He grew up in Denver and is also a graduate of the Denver Ins tute of Technology. Cliff

“Colorado River, RMNP,” by Cliff Aus n, 11X14, pastel

incorporates abstract art into his pieces and his por olio contains landscapes as well as figures.

“I love pain ng streams and snow,” he said.

“Landscapes have been a long mo va ng theme. I also keep challenging myself with figure pain ng and drawing.”

These days he keeps very busy teaching at the Cur s Center for the Arts and the Art Center of Estes Park, and pain ng for shows. He teaches zoom art classes as well as leading plein-air (on loca on sessions weekly, weather permi ng. He teaches art for all levels at the Heather Gardens Senior Living clubhouse in Aurora.

Cliff's rela onship with Rocky is a life-long one.

“Rocky Mountain Na onal Park has been a part of my life since I was a li le child. My family would try to get to the Park at least twice a year, just to catch the calm and freshness of nature,” he said. “Living in the suburbs is more stress than most people realize. I can

“RMNP Stream,” by Cliff Aus n, 11x14, oil

“Sheep Lakes RMNP,” by Cliff Aus n, 9x12,oil

“Bowen Baker RMNP” by Cliff Aus n, 8x8, pastel

“RMNP Shadows”, by Cliff Aus n, 11x14,oil

remember when Bear Lake was hardly known to the populace and you could park in a dirt lot, hike around it, and picnic by the shore. Moraine Park had no fences.”

Cliff's pain ng session at Lumpy Ridge was on April 8 of this year. His work can be found at Mary Williams Fine Art, Boulder, and Studio 8369, Grand Lake CO, Cherry Creek Art Gallery, online and on his website, www.cliffaustin.com

“RMNP” by Cliff Aus n, 8x8, oil

“CO River RMNP” by Cliff Aus n, 6x8, oil

“RMNP WildFlowers,” by Cliff Aus n, 16x20

Watch the video plein-air demonstra ons by Cliff Aus n and David Harms. Click on the photo above.

David Harms' ar st statement: "I love to paint and I love being outdoors capturing the beauty of the landscape. I'm inspired by the great ar sts of yesterday and today and aspire to their excellence! It's a long, glorious and blessed journey on a road I happily travel!”

David Harms began pain ng a er his mother gave him a Bob Ross oil pain ng set in 1996 for Christmas. By 2000, he was selling pain ngs and doing commissions and four years later, had become a professional landscape ar st, “hanging in galleries and ac vely pursuing plein-air shows and other juried exhibi ons,” he said.

David Harms of Centennial painted this scene in Rocky on May 13.

“I'm strictly an oil painter in the tradi onal representa onal style focusing primarily on Colorado landscapes,” he said. “Majes c vistas to stream scenes to sweeping skyscapes in all seasons capture my a en on.”

His very first week-long plein air compe on, art show, and sale was in 2005 when he par cipated in the Cultural Arts Council of Estes Park's Plein Air Rockies event; he con nued to paint in that show for the next 11 years. He s ll par cipates in plein air shows throughout Colorado.

“I immediately fell in love with Rocky Mountain

“Shallow Water Reflec ons,” by David Harms, 24x36

Above: “Endless Colorado Winter,” by David Harms, 18X24 Le : “Ready for Winter,” by David Harms, 30X40 Right: “Autumn Rocks,” by David Harms, 40X60 Bottom right, “Early summer aspens, by David Harms, 12X16

Na onal Park, the town and the whole area, he said.

In short order I made it a point to paint and explore the area in its en rety year-round, year a er year! The history, the beauty and the endless subject ma er of the whole place will fuel me forever.”

David's pain ng session at Lumpy was May 13.

David is represented by the Wildhorse Gallery in Steamboat Springs, and his work can also be found on his website, h p://www.davidharms.com.

“Rocky River,” by David Harms, 12X16

“Hidden Valley Mountain View,” by David Harms, 8X10

“Valley Sun,” by David Harms, 8X10

Colorado wildowers Spring through fall, Colorado’s dazzling display of wildflowers charms and some mes overwhelms. These guidebooks make flower iden fica on easy; the compact size is perfect for hikers and backpackers.

This guidebook showcases 22 trails filled with na ve wildflower species across five life zones. Trail descrip ons include habitats and interes ng dbits on each flower, along with lis ngs of na ve flora, common and scien fic names.

•

• •

Marlene Borneman has been photographing Colorado's wildflowers while on her hiking and climbing adventures since 1979. Marlene has climbed Colorado's 54 14ers and the 126 USGS named peaks in Rocky.

Purchase Marlene’s books at the Rocky Mountain Conservancy or the Colorado Mountain Club Press.

All summer, the alpine tundra of Rocky Mountain Na onal Park awakens from winter sleep with an incredible display of wildflowers.

The harsh environment has a short growing season and the plants must make the most of it with a showy presenta on.

22 of the best wildflower hikes • along the Front Range, Colorado Springs to Fort Collins (and RMNP) A wide range of hikes - from family- • friendly to challenging • Complete trail descrip ons including color photos and maps

Wildflowers are grouped by color and subdivided as plant families.

Both common and scien fic names are provided to avoid confusion.

Addi onal help comes from the informa on on life zones, habitat, characteris cs, and season.

•

Covers 128 of the alpine tundra’s most common wildflowers Detailed photos for easy iden fica on The latest classifica ons for serious wildflower lovers

• • • •

Inden fies 180 of Colorado’s most common wildflowers Revised with latest classifica ons Organized by color and plant families 220 photos for easy iden fica on Superb educa onal tool for all ages

FEATURE PHOTO

Kawuneeche Valley, 2015

The Colorado River snakes through the Kawuneeche Valley during June, 2015, in this beau ful photo by Pamela Johnson of Westminster. Soaring above the valley are the mountains of the Never Summer Wilderness - Mount Baker in the center of the frame, and to the viewer’s right, Green Knoll Mountain. From Pamela’s ar st statement: “Living so close to Rocky is truly a blessing and great therapy for the mind, body and soul. I enjoy wildlife and nature photography and Rocky gives me the opportunity to learn all about the flora and fauna of this magnificent park. “

Devastated by Fire Rocky begins its slow recovery in the Kawuneeche Valley story and photos by Barb Boyer Buck I have been covering the East Troublesome Fire from the me it, along with the Cameron Peak Fire, caused my abrupt evacua on from my home in Estes Park on October 25 of last year. Both fires were burning simultaneously and both came within five miles of my house; one from the west, the other from the north.

The Cameron Peak Fire was Colorado's biggest wildfire

in history; the East Troublesome, the second-largest.

Combined, both fires consumed around 30,000 acres of Rocky Mountain Na onal Park, more than in any other fire season in its history.

Also combined, more than 400,000 acres of northern Colorado's foothills and mountains were burned by these two monsters. Hundreds of homes and outbuildings, livestock, and even two human lives were

reported on the 1,000-year flood in 2013 and then, beginning last fall, the fires that devastated the beau ful area I'm lucky enough to live in. Both these disasters hit home in a very literal way. It's personal.

So, it's hard to be objec ve. As an inves ga ve journalist, I am seeking the answers to “why did these enormous, record-se ng events happen?” I'm looking at the facts, interviewing professionals, researching the science. I want to present non-biased, well-inves gated, facts and professional theories. I am not supposed to have an opinion on these ma ers. But I do.

And I know why the fires happened. I know all the steps, I can trace it back decades.

The Never Summer range over the Kawuneeche Valley as it appeared from the Onahu Creek trail on June 5.

Between journalism gigs (and during them), I have held a variety of interes ng jobs including being the Office manager for Public Works and U li es, the renewable energy manager, and the Tree Board staff liaison for the Town of Estes Park.

Working with the variety of experts who served on the volunteer Tree Board, I learned so much about the beau ful trees of the Rocky Mountains. The most important issue we were working on was a decade-long ac ve pine beetle infesta on in our area's forests.

The beetles had jumped from lodgepole pines to include ponderosa pines in their ravenous appe tes, At an eleva on of about 7,500 feet, these trees are heavily represented in the forests that exist in and around Estes Park.

Trees destroyed by fire on the Onahu Creek trail.

lost just with these two fires. In Colorado last year, 25 fires of more than 1,000 acres were recorded.

I've been a reporter since my late 20's (that's a long me ago!). And I've covered a lot of natural disasters from record snowfalls to tornados. In Estes Park, I

Here's what I learned about pine beetles. The pine beetle is very ny insect, about five millimeters long, that is na ve to the area. Pine beetle infesta ons are cyclical, and occur o en on a small scale. They tend to infest sick or dying trees, boring through the bark to leave ny holes. The beetles kill the tree outright through the process of laying their eggs - about 75 per female - and the pupae developing within the bark. The larvae survive through the winter only if they've reached the stage of development where they are much more resistant to cold; then, they emerge from the tree fully mature in the summer and fly to find another host.

Infesta ons happen every one to two years and when there's a cold winter, they die off.

The resul ng dead trees are the perfect fuel for wildfire; in fact, prescribed burns to clear this debris have long been implemented in Rocky to be er manage the necessary rejuvena on of the landscape a wildfire brings.

Dead trees stand in charred earth in the Kawuneeche Valley, bright green grasses and other vegeta on are thriving.

Every thirty years or so in the Rocky Mountains, the pine beetle infesta on has a larger-than-normal footprint in certain areas, when it hits so many trees it's very no ceable, and even a acks healthy trees. But again, these infesta ons typically last a few years before they die off again.

But in 2003, we on the Tree Board were working on an infesta on that had been going on for almost a decade and were trying to figure out how to best enforce a new ordinance requiring residents of Estes Park to remove beetle-infested trees from their property.

A mature tree costs about $400 to remove and many homeowners in the Estes Valley live within forests of trees. Spraying was an expensive op on, too, and ran the risk of killing other wildlife. There are pheromone packets you could nail onto a tree, to give a false signal to flying beetles looking for a new home that this tree is “taken,” that were fairly effec ve, but not 100%.

This infesta on was growing, not receding as it should.

It just wasn't ge ng cold enough in the winter to kill the larvae. The infesta on that started in 1996 was

trunks and limbs, very dry and prime nder for fire.

With a record-number of trees killed during the latest large infesta on, there has been a record amount of fuel available in the northern Colorado.

And then there's the extreme drought Colorado has been in for decades, which ramped up during the summer and fall of last year. For the first me in eight years, 100% of Colorado was in a drought or in abnormally dry condi on in 2020, reported the Denver Post in August of last year. Dry condi ons are typically normal for late summer and fall, but it was hot, dry, and windy well into November. It wasn't just the drought, the many fires that were burning simultaneously created their own weather, which turned the East Troublesome and Cameron Peak fires into firestorms.

killing healthy trees well into 2017 and resulted in 95% of Colorado's lodgepole forests to be le standing, dead.

The death throes of a pine tree go something like this: the needles turn red and eventually fall off, then they turn into what is called “grey ghosts,” standing dead

Climate change is causing these condi ons, but humans are causing the fires. Most of the fires in Colorado last year were caused by humans, including the two that burned into Rocky. We were well into a fire ban at that me, but illegal fires were going on in the na onal forest and in RMNP. Other ways humans can cause fire is by throwing cigare e bu s out the car window.

Despite $1,000 fines for li ering, some people are s ll doing this – late last year, a fire in Estes Park was caused this way (but quickly ex nguished). Loose chains on a trailer, causing sparks as the vehicle drove along the road, was another cause for a Colorado fire last year.

This state has grown in popula on significantly over the past decade; nearly 800,000 people have been added to Colorado's popula on since 2010, reported the Denver Business Journal in December.

“Per the president's budget request for Fiscal Year 2020, funding for the Forest Stewardship program, the

Vegeta on is thriving among the burn areas on the Onahu Creek trail, including these wildflowers (counter-clockwise from top): Marsh Marigolds, Valerian plant, Green Gen an (Monument plant), and (again), Marsh Marigolds (bo om).

Taken from the Onahu Creek trail on June 5, 2021 - Na onal Trails Day.

Forest Health Management Program on Coopera ve Lands, and the State and Volunteer Fire Assistance programs would be cut by a combined $29.65 million from 2019 enacted levels. Funding for the Landscape Scale Restora on, Forest Legacy, and Urban and Community Forestry programs would be eliminated,” reported Bill Gabbart, www.wildfiretoday.com, in April of 2019. And according to Colorado Newswire in an ar cle by Chase Woodruff last November, “a priority list of about 2.5 million acres, or 10% of Colorado forests, are 'in urgent need of treatment' to reduce wildfire risk, at an es mated cost of over $4.2 billion. That's money that the CSFS (Colorado State Forest Service), which has typically been awarded just a few million dollars annually in grants for such mi ga on work, simply doesn't have.”

So, what are the solu ons to this mul -faceted problem that ul mately resulted in the destruc on of so much public and private land in this state last year? And how do we prevent them from happening again?

The path of the East Troublesome Fire east into the Kawuneeche Valley is evident on the hills above.

Click on the photo above to watch a tour of the Kawuneeche Valley on June 5, 2021 - Na onal Trails Day.

In my opinion, it comes down to what Smokey the Bear has been telling me all my life: “Only you can prevent forest fires.” Climate change is decades-long in the making, it will take me and funding to mi gate for these extreme weather condi ons. But if it's hot and dry, don't have a campfire. Don't even have a bonfire in your backyard if you live in forested areas. Fire bans are put into place for a very good reason. Educate yourself on the fire danger before you travel into public lands.

Support funding for public land management, including for the brave men and women who risk their lives to protect others from these disasters. Most of those people who saved the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake from destruc on were volunteers.

We can – and must – do a be er job of protec ng our federal lands by being responsible, educated, and proac ve. The Kawuneeche Valley of RMNP will take decades if not genera ons to recover. As will the areas on the east side of Rocky that were damaged or destroyed when the East Troublesome Fire made an unprecedented jump over 1.5 miles of tundra to burn into the Fern Lake and Beaver Mountain areas; the Fern Lake fire of 2012, which destroyed much of the area that was burned again last year, was caused by an illegal campfire, too.

Vintage Smokey-the-Bear poster from 1951.

If you see unsafe fire behavior, such as campfires not properly ex nguished, say something. Pour water on the smoldering embers, s r the ashes to make sure it's out. Report illegal fire ac vity to those who are empowered to stop it. Take the ini a ve to not have a campfire when the wind is high and condi ons are dry.

Only we can prevent wildfires on our na onal lands.

Barb Boyer Buck is a professional writer, journalist, editor, photographer, playwright, and researcher who lives in Estes Park. Barb is the managing editor of HIKE ROCKY online magazine.

Hummingbirds of Colorado

Black-chinned hummingbird, photo by Sco Rashid

by Sco Rashid, Director, Colorado Avian Research and Rehabilita on Ins tute Two species of hummingbirds nest in Colorado, the Broad-tailed Hummingbird and the Black-chinned Hummingbird. The Broad-tailed Hummingbird nests within the mountains throughout the state and the Black-chinned Hummingbird nests primarily in the western mountains and foothills.

Hummingbirds are amazing ny dynamos. Their brains are about the size of a pea, but they are the largest of any bird in the world if you compare the size of the bird to its brain. Hummingbirds have the largest heart of any bird in the world if you compare the size of its heart to the size of the bird.

Hummingbirds remember every flower that they visit each day and know how long it takes for that flower to rejuvenate nectar before they need to return.

Hummingbirds can fly forward, backward, and even upside-down. Hummingbird's feet are so weak that they cannot walk, but rather use their feet for scratching and perching.

The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest nes ng bird in North America and they have the longest migra on of any bird in the world if you compare the size of the

Broad-tailed hummingbird nest with nestlings.

Photo by Marlene Borneman

Female broad-tailed hummingbird, photo by Sco Rashid

bird to the length of its migra on. Hummingbird's eyes have more rods and cones in than humans do.

Furthermore, hummingbirds have more feathers on their body, per square inch than any other species of bird.

Male broad-tailed hummingbird photo by Sco Rashid

Hummingbirds feed upon a variety of small insects including gnats, aphids, small spiders, wasps, small bu erflies, tree sap, and even sugar water from hummingbird feeders.

When it comes to nest building, nes ng, and raising the family; female hummingbirds do it all themselves. They find a loca on to construct their nests, they find the nes ng material, construct their nests, lay their eggs, incubate them and raise their families all without the aid of a male.

Female hummingbirds frequently build their nests over water as a way to protect their young from predators. A female hummingbird lay eggs that are about the size of a pea, and they seldom lay more than two eggs per season.

Male hummingbirds o en arrive on their nes ng territories a few days, to weeks before females begin arriving. Males set up and defend their territories from other males, but accept every female that appears.

The males of each species have elaborate flight displays that they perform above and in front of the females as Female broad-tailed hummingbird feeding her fledgling, a way to impress her enough to want to mate.

Photo by Sco Rashid Once the female has laid her eggs, she incubates them

Female Calliope hummingbird, photo by Sco Rashid

for about two weeks. During this me, she con nues to find food for herself. At hatching, the chicks are 100% dependent upon their mother for food, warmth, and protec on. A er hatching, they remain on their nests for about three weeks before fledgling. A er they leave their nests, they remain near them for about two weeks before moving out on their own.

About July 4th, the Rufous and Calliope Hummingbirds begin arriving in Colorado. When we begin seeing these species, they are already on their southern migra on.

The Rufous Hummingbird is the farthest northern nes ng hummingbird in the world. Some individuals nest as far north as Southeastern Alaska, and winter in the Southern United States and Mexico.

The Calliope Hummingbird nests in Bri sh Columbia and Alberta Canada, south through parts of Washington State, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, and California, and winter in Northern and Central Mexico.

We are fortunate to have several accidental migrants that occasionally appear in the state on occasion. These include the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Bluethroated, Magnificent, White-eared, Violet-crowned, Costa's, Anna's, and Broad-billed Hummingbirds.

There are several people throughout the country that research hummingbirds. This research includes trapping and banding the birds as a way to iden fy individuals to determine their longevity, movements, territory sizes, and nest-site fidelity.

Those of us who capture and band hummingbirds need to construct the traps, bands, and all of the instruments that we use to band the birds. Most hummingbirds are captured at feeders using traps designed to have a feeder placed inside. Once a hummingbird enters a trap a door is simply lowered and the birds are captured.

I band about 300 hummingbirds each year and my oldest hummingbird lived to be ten years old. The oldest hummingbird on record lived to be 15 years old.

The average male Hummingbird lives about three years and the average female lives between three and seven years.

Click on the photo above to watch a short clip of a Rufous hummingbird humming!

Male Rufous hummingbird, photo by Sco Rashid

Ar st, researcher, bird rehabilitator, author, and director of a nonprofit are only a few things that describe Sco Rashid.

Sco has been pain ng, illustra ng and wri ng about birds for over 30 years. In 2011, Sco created the Colorado Avian Research and Rehabilita on Ins tute in Estes Park.

In 2019, Sco located and documented the first Boreal Owl nest in the history of Rocky Mountain Na onal Park in Colorado. Sco has wri en and published five books and several papers on a variety of avian species. More informa on available on his website: h p://www.carriep.org/

Rocky’s Orchids answers to the May 2021, HIKE ROCKY magazine orchid quiz

by Marlene Borneman

Green Bog Orchid has yellow-green flowers/stem packed on a spike and blooms JuneAugust. It is difficult to dis nguish from the Huron Green orchid as both are commonly found in marshes and along streams between 6,500 –12,000 . The lip of the Green Bog orchid is slightly dilated at the base and spur shorter than the length of the lip.

The Huron Green orchid is a bit narrow at the base and the spur length is about as long or longer than the length of the lip.

White Bog Orchid O en called Scentbo le orchid for its strong sweetsmelling scent.

Beau ful white flowers loosely packed on a spike.

Common in moist meadows and along streams blooming JuneAugust.

Wister's Coralroot Orchid flowers May-July. This is a slender plant with a brownish-purplish stem and white lip petal with extremely faint spo ng if any. Only 2-9 inches in height.

It’s difficult to spot as it likes to grow in pine duff and leaf debris.

Hooded Lady's Tresses are white flowers densely packed in a spiral. This is a mountain orchid that prefers higher eleva ons, up to 11,000 feet.

Blooms late JulySeptember.

Broad-lipped Twayblade is a translucent, shiny green fiddle-shaped lip with a darker green stripe running down the middle and then lobed on the p. It has two opposite rounded leaves. It is found near streams or very wet areas among grasses blooming midJune -August.

Considered a rare orchid in Colorado.

Giant Ra lesnake Plantain has dark green basal leaves in a rose e with a white mid-rib running down the middle. It has creamy-white flowers turning in the same direc on on a spike and usually blooms late JulyAugust.

Yellow Coralroot Is also called Northern Coralroot. The flower has greenish-yellowish stems with a white lip with or without faint spo ng. It grows in higher eleva ons, 8,500 .11,500 , and blooms JuneAugust. This is an uncommon orchid in Rocky.

Coming next month in

HIKE ROCKY online magazine - The Lawn Lake Trailhead Dave Rusk discusses this beau ful hike on the anniversary of the Lawn Lake flood!

- Local Hero a young man who has grown up in Estes Park is now building trails and serving on Rocky’s Search and Rescue team. We interview him for the July issue!

- Alpine Wildflowers Marlene Borneman writes our cover story for July, all about the beau ful, vibrant, and delicate flowers of Rocky’s tundra.

- Natural regenera on of the tundra a er human trampling: this study which took place in Rocky using 42 years of data!

- Murray Selleck reviews the Grayl Water Purifica on bo le - An examina on of the Park’s BAER (Burned Area Emergency Response) Report (which was not available in me for this edi on).

- Barb takes a deep dive into Rocky’s decision to require med-entry reserva ons.

Rocky Mountain Irises, photo by Dave Rusk