• Near the s...

    PinniclePool001.jpg Near the start of the Pinnacle Pool hike, Hikemaster Scott stops on a bridge across the Colorado River for a photo. This river begins in RMNP and eventually passes through the Grand Canyon! image by hikemaster2

  • It's Jon K...

    PinniclePool005.jpg It's Jon Knox's first trip to the west side of RMNP, and he loved it! The first several miles of trail passes through stands of lodgepole pines, many of which are being destroyed by pine bark beetles. image by hikemaster2

  • Early morn...

    PinniclePool006.jpg Early morning view to the east from the Red Mountain Trail, looking down into the Kawuneeche Valley, which is where this hike originated. image by hikemaster2

  • The 13-mil...

    PinniclePool010.jpg The 13-mile long Grand Ditch (approx 10,000 ft) and an adjacent service road used by the Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park Service. This ditch is just one aspect of many complex water issues in this area. Anyone bring an innertube for a ride? image by hikemaster2

  • Jon poses ...

    PinniclePool011.jpg Jon poses in front of a trail sign where he and Hikemaster Scott emerged on the Grand Ditch Road. Red Mountain is unmistakable in the backdrop. image by hikemaster2

  • Hikemaster...

    PinniclePool013.jpg Hikemaster Scott on the Grand Ditch Road. It's his first trip along the road for 2009, but he came here 2-3 times in 2008. This time, he and Jon were hoping to summit the 2nd highest mountain in the Never Summers, Mt. Howard (12,810 ft). image by hikemaster2

  • Southward ...

    PinniclePool014.jpg Southward view from the Grand Ditch Road, towards Grand Lake and the western park entrance for RMNP. This side of the park is much less visited than the region near Estes Park on the east side. image by hikemaster2

  • Hikemaster...

    PinniclePool015.jpg Hikemaster Scott poses on the Grand Ditch Road, with the peak immediately south of Mt. Howard appearing in the backdrop, Mt. Cumulus. Scott climbed it on July 29, 2008. image by hikemaster2

  • Jon loved ...

    PinniclePool018.jpg Jon loved the trip along the Grand Ditch, and got very acquainted with it! That's right, this hike begged us to wade through the ditch to avoid many unnecessary miles (see next photo)!!! image by hikemaster2

  • Once the h...

    PinniclePool020.jpg Once the hikers reached the Grand Ditch, the whole trip was off-trail, beginning with a fording of the Grand Ditch! Hikemaster Scott goes barefoot through the frigid water to keep his boots/socks dry. Man was that chilly, but refreshing!!! image by hikemaster2

  • The vegeta...

    PinniclePool021.jpg The vegetation above the Grand Ditch was extremely thick and dense and hard to pass through. Slow progress was made, and plenty of stops at pretty cascades like this in the deep woods! Has any other human ever laid eyes on this?!?! image by hikemaster2

  • The bushwh...

    PinniclePool024.jpg The bushwhacking was extremely tedious, and it's too bad that Hikemaster Scott (seen here) and Jon were unable to make the summit of Mount Howard for all their efforts. Lesson: Don't wait to start this hike at 6 AM!!! image by hikemaster2

  • Mosquito C...

    PinniclePool027.jpg Mosquito Creek is extremely pretty and remote, especially here in the backwoods with no trails. The creek is well-named, as the bugs were plenty bad up here! image by hikemaster2

  • The west s...

    PinniclePool033.jpg The west side of RMNP receives more rain and snow than the east side, leading to greener pastures come August, as you can see here. Finally, a break in the trees to improve the trudging speed!!! image by hikemaster2

  • Hikemaster...

    PinniclePool035.jpg Hikemaster Scott poses in front of an extremely verdant and flower-filled meadow. Jon Knox (not pictured) had never seen a moose...as ideal as this habitat is, he and Hikemaster Scott were not lucky enough to see one this day. image by hikemaster2

  • This is Jo...

    PinniclePool037.jpg This is Jon's 4th hike with Hikemaster Scott (previously: Bridal Veil Falls, Mt. Copeland, Mt. Lady Washington). Great to spend a hike together again! image by hikemaster2

  • Hikemaster...

    PinniclePool041.jpg Hikemaster Scott leads the way through a gorgeous meadow...unfortunately, he's going the wrong way (towards Cumulus, back right). Should've broken out the GPS sooner!!! image by hikemaster2

  • Now that's...

    PinniclePool052.jpg Now that's pretty! After a long bushwhack through dense forest, Hikemaster Scott and Jon finally emerged into a world of rock. This southwestern view reveals Mt. Nimbus, one of the gems of the Never Summers! image by hikemaster2

  • Eastward v...

    PinniclePool053.jpg Eastward view towards the heart of RMNP, including Wild Basin and Longs Peak (do you see it?). Unfortunately, those clouds are the beginning of signs of trouble to come this day.... image by hikemaster2

  • Now that A...

    PinniclePool059.jpg Now that August has arrived, all but the highest peaks seem nearly devoid of snowfall, as this eastward view into RMNP shows. image by hikemaster2
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