• After 3 da...

    UteTrailWest001.jpg After 3 days of strenuous backpacking, Art and Juli wanted something a bit more tame to round out their first trip to RMNP this summer. Hikemaster Scott came up with this: Ute Trail West, starting from the Alpine Visitor Center (11,768 ft). image by hikemaster2

  • Hikemaster...

    UteTrailWest002.jpg Hikemaster Scott at the start of the 4.1 mile downhill Ute Trail West hike that ends at Milner Pass about 1,000 feet lower on the west side of RMNP. It was casual, relaxing, and gorgeous! Beautiful weather once again!!! image by hikemaster2

  • Juli and A...

    UteTrailWest006.jpg Juli and Art hike down the mild path that is the Ute Trail, which the Indians used to travel from summer to winter quarters when they inhabited these mountains 100+ years ago. The Never Summer Range appears in the distance. image by hikemaster2

  • The west s...

    UteTrailWest009.jpg The west side of RMNP holds onto its snow much longer, since it receives more precipitation in the first place...hence the "never summer" look of these peaks! Hikemaster Scott has done Cumulus, Nimbus, and Stratus (2008)--can you ID them? image by hikemaster2

  • Speciman M...

    UteTrailWest012.jpg Speciman Mountain. This enormous mountain is off-limits to RMNP hikers, because it is a prime breeding area for the park's bighorn sheep population. Still, it's pretty to view it from the Ute Trail West! image by hikemaster2

  • The Ute Tr...

    UteTrailWest013.jpg The Ute Trail West also affords lovely views to the east and south, as seen here. A small pond in the foreground adds to the scenery of the Gorge Lakes region in the background. image by hikemaster2

  • The pointe...

    UteTrailWest014.jpg The pointed peak just right of Hikemaster Scott in this photo is Mount Julian (23rd highest in RMNP), the highest summit Scott has yet to do! He's looking forward to doing it on a future visit to the Gorge Lakes area. image by hikemaster2

  • There's th...

    UteTrailWest015.jpg There's the crew: Art, Juli, and Hikemaster Scott, with a lovely vista to the southeast in the background. Much of this is visible from Trail Ridge Road, but it's a whole lot nicer to get out and walk the views instead! image by hikemaster2

  • The Never ...

    UteTrailWest017.jpg The Never Summer range, to the southwest of the Ute Trail west. image by hikemaster2

  • Hikemaster...

    UteTrailWest020.jpg Hikemaster Scott stops for a photo at the head of Forest Canyon. The hikers have already dropped about 400 feet to this point. This view is taken to the east. image by hikemaster2

  • Art and Ju...

    UteTrailWest021.jpg Art and Juli have taken countless many trips to RMNP, but somehow have never done the Ute Trail! It does require a 2-car shuttle to make the hike most pleasant (and downhill), which we had the luxury of this day. Great way to end the week in RMNP! image by hikemaster2

  • Cool eastw...

    UteTrailWest024.jpg Cool eastward view down Forest Canyon from the top. Estes Cone appears in the distance. There are no trails in this valley--it's super remote and alluring! image by hikemaster2

  • Juli and A...

    UteTrailWest025.jpg Juli and Art stop for another photo along the Ute Trail West. What a gorgeous day up here. It was hot down lower, so it's a perfect day to head up here to the tundra and catch a breeze! image by hikemaster2

  • Specimen M...

    UteTrailWest027.jpg Specimen Mountain in the backdrop, and an incredible field of wildflowers in the foreground. The greenery and lush vegetation, along with blooming flowers, are making the tundra and subalpine especially pretty right now! image by hikemaster2

  • The Ute Tr...

    UteTrailWest029.jpg The Ute Trail West slowly descends back into forest, and the fresh forest spells only served to enhance the already gorgeous feeling of being on this trail. image by hikemaster2

  • Almost dow...

    UteTrailWest035.jpg Almost down to Milner Pass, where Hikemaster Scott's car is parked. Poudre Lake marks the trailhead. Hikemaster Scott, Art, and Juli will drive back to the Alpine Visitor Center to get the other car and have lunch. image by hikemaster2

  • One more l...

    UteTrailWest036.jpg One more look at beautiful Poudre Lake. Unfortunately, being right on Trail Ridge Road, this lake is over-run with people. image by hikemaster2

  • From the A...

    UteTrailWest037.jpg From the Alpine Visitor Center, great views of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado in RMNP are available. It is only Hikemaster Scott's first trip here this year! Tons of other people were up here too. image by hikemaster2

  • From the A...

    UteTrailWest039.jpg From the Alpine Visitor Center, you see the "back side" of the Mummy Range. Right to left: Chapin, Chiquita, Ypsilon, and Fairchild. Scott, Art, and Juli have all climbed all 4 of these big ones! image by hikemaster2

  • Another vi...

    UteTrailWest040.jpg Another view of the Never Summers from the Alpine Visitor Center. It's hard to believe that none of the mountains in view here is a 13-er...but some of them are darn close! image by hikemaster2
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