Pic: Copeland Mountain and Ouzel Lake, Rocky Mountain NP, CO
My first ten miler of the season! The official mileage was 10.2, but my various side quests pushed the total over 11.
Intel from rangers and my experience at Tanglewood Creek suggested the snow line lay at around 9500′. Sure enough, as soon as I forked off of the sunny ridge that continued up toward Bluebird Lake, the trail disappeared into a snowfield. Fortunately, there was good bootpack all the way down to the lake. Even better, the place was deserted except for a lone angler, trying his luck from a hundred yards down the shore.
Off the beaten path, the snowpack was… inconsistent which curbed my exploratory tendencies. I found a secluded spot in the trees to take my lunch and enjoy the tranquil view.
I packed up while eyeing the increasingly dark clouds over the ridge. Drizzle started as I said goodbye to the lake and picked my way over dirty bootpack back to the main trail. I had just reached the fork when I heard and then saw my first marmot!
Pic: Who gives a shit about the yellow-bellied marmot?! Bluebird Lake Trail, Rocky Mountain NP, CO
As I headed back down the ridge, the sun came out! …and simultaneously the drizzle became full-on rain. Hi, Colorado!
Danger Beyond This Point 