• The 9-mile...

    BlueLake002.jpg The 9-mile roundtrip hike to Blue Lake begins on familiar ground: the 1-mile shortcut firetrail (seen here) leading into Glacier Gorge. Juli, Christine, Art, and Matt joined Hikemaster Scott on his last hike for 2009 in RMNP---so sad! image by hikemaster2

  • The early ...

    BlueLake005.jpg The early 7 AM hiking start creates opportunities to see still waters on mountain lakes, such as this incredible view of Glacier Gorge from Mills Lake. What a gorgeous reflection! image by hikemaster2

  • The whole ...

    BlueLake006.jpg The whole gang at Mills Lake. Left to right: Christine, Matt, Juli, Art, and Hikemaster Scott. Scott was so glad to share this pretty hike (he'd done before on June 23, 2009) with his family! image by hikemaster2

  • Near perfe...

    BlueLake009.jpg Near perfect reflection on one of RMNP's most spectacular lakes (even when not still!): Mills Lake (10,000 ft). Longs Peak (left), Pagoda Mtn (center) and Chiefshead Peak (right) all rank among the park's tallest peaks! image by hikemaster2

  • RMNP's 3rd...

    BlueLake010.jpg RMNP's 3rd highest peak, Chiefshead, rises at the head of Glacier Gorge above Mills Lake (foreground). Hikemaster Scott climbed Chiefshead twice in 2009, both times gaining grand views into the gorge from high above. image by hikemaster2

  • Chiefshead...

    BlueLake011.jpg Chiefshead (left) and the side of Thatchtop Mountain (right) reflection in full color in the still waters of Mills Lake. The lesson on reflections: start hiking early before winds kick up! image by hikemaster2

  • This refle...

    BlueLake012.jpg This reflection of Logns, Pagoda, and Chiefshead (left to right in backdrop) appears to be in Mills Lake, but it's not! Jewel Lake lies a short ways further up the gorge and offers an almost identical vantage point on the gorge. image by hikemaster2

  • Hikemaster...

    BlueLake013.jpg Hikemaster Scott stops for a photo at a trail sign. He and his folks camped at the site listed here in 1994. From here, Black Lake will feel like forever! The 1.2 miles appears to be accurate, but so hard to believe in any case! image by hikemaster2

  • Glacier Cr...

    BlueLake016.jpg Glacier Creek shapes Glacier Gorge and runs down the valley from Black Lake above to Mills Lake below. The meadow here provides a break in the trees from which to view Chiefshead in full splendor. image by hikemaster2

  • Juli and A...

    BlueLake017.jpg Juli and Art (foreground) and Matt and Christine (background) enjoy the trek up Glacier Gorge. The sky wouldn't yield a single cloud until well into afternoon...it was a cool morning, despite the sun---perfect for hiking! image by hikemaster2

  • Arrowleaf ...

    BlueLake019.jpg Arrowleaf Ragwart flowers are a tall, yellow late-season flower that seems to be blooming just about everywhere in the subalpine ecosystem. Christine, Matt, Art, and Juli (left to right) stop for a photo among one such impressive display. image by hikemaster2

  • This "Ribb...

    BlueLake022.jpg This "Ribbon Falls" is a good sign that Black Lake is close at hand, sitting on the shelf just above the falls. McHenry's Peak (RMNP's 10th highest and site of Hikemaster Scott's 2008 backpack fiasco) rises above. image by hikemaster2

  • Pretty fal...

    BlueLake023.jpg Pretty falls along a steep stretch of Glacier Creek just beneath Black Lake. The hiking trail matches the falls in steepness, with numerous stairs to be climbed. But every step is worth it---Black Lake is one of RMNP's best! image by hikemaster2

  • Juli and A...

    BlueLake024.jpg Juli and Art use poles to propel themselves up a long staircase just below Black Lake. This northward image reveals Half Mountain at the end of the gorge, and a fragment of the Mummy Range in the far (left) backdrop. image by hikemaster2

  • Great nort...

    BlueLake028.jpg Great northward view into the heart of Glacier Gorge, where the hikers have been trekking this day. Only Mummy Mountain (distant center) in this image is not part of the gorge. image by hikemaster2

  • The immedi...

    BlueLake030.jpg The immediate vicinity of Black Lake (10,600 ft) is surrounded by large rocks and tricky slabs. Hikemaster Scott's mom, Juli (seen here), got hurt in this area in 2008, so she's being extra careful this time around! Luckily, there were no mishaps! image by hikemaster2

  • Matt makes...

    BlueLake032.jpg Matt makes it to Black Lake. This southward image shows Spearhead and Chiefshead (upper left) rising above Glacier Gorge. Black is just one of several pretty tarns scoured in the rock at the head of Glacier Gorge. image by hikemaster2

  • En route t...

    BlueLake035.jpg En route to Blue Lake above Black, the hikers climbed to the east up above Black Lake, where it becomes more obvious where the lake's name came from. This is a steep climb, but required for all access to points higher in the gorge. image by hikemaster2

  • Hikemaster...

    BlueLake036.jpg Hikemaster Scott's brother, Matt, brought his wife, Christine, high into Glacier Gorge for some of RMNP's finest scenery. The lake looks like a puddle of oil beneath the mammoth facade of McHenry's Peak (13,327 ft, 10th in RMNP). image by hikemaster2

  • Hikemaster...

    BlueLake037.jpg Hikemaster Scott has visited Black Lake many times since 1990, but today's weather must rank high among his visits here. What a glorious way to end a wonderful 2009 season of hiking in RMNP. image by hikemaster2
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