152.9/26 The Trail to Dream Lake

Our last blog from Rocky Mountain National Park describes some of the many sparkling mountain lakes to be found in this most vertical park on the nation’s backbone. We start at 8,700 feet with sunrise at Sprague Lake and then go up as far Dream Lake at 10,000 feet.

Flattop Mountain at over 12,300 feet watches over
Sprague Lake at sunrise.

The warm light of sunrise
enhances the fall color around the lake.

A sleepy Mallard tries not to wake up.

Jean gets to work:
Hoary Aster, Machaeranthera canescens.

Hoary Alyssum, Barteroa incana

Common Harebell, Campanula rotundifolia

Thistle, Cirsium sp.

Shuttle bus station at Bear Lake trailhead

On the trail

At 9,500 feet, Bear Lake and Flattop Mountain.

Bill on the trail climbing towards Dream Lake

At 9,700 feet we come upon beautiful Nymph Lake—
one of the special photographs of the day.

The fall color show
for which the Rockies are so famous is just beginning.

Mountain Ash, Sorbus scopulina

Night-flowering Campion, Silene noctiflora

Mullein, Verbascum thapsus

The trail follows a small stream
as we climb toward Dream Lake.

In the trees, Jean spots
a Rocky Mountain (or Gray) Jay on Limber Pine.

You will find the Stellar Jay
wherever there are people.

This little Douglas Squirrel is gathering grass
for a nice warm nest for winter.

Mr. Chipmunk already has his winter coat on.

Dream Lake at 10,000 feet—
a photographer’s dream subject—
too bad for us it was starting to rain (and/or snow!).

The end of a wonder-filled day!

If you are still wondering if we ever got home, the next blog will get us there through snow and sleet etc. to our cozy nest.