Rocky Mountain National Park Read online

  Morgan, James, and Mom relaxed their pace and headed toward the shuttle stop at the Fern Lake trailhead.

  When they finally made it to the end of the trail, the rain had completely stopped. The three of them joined a group of others at the bus stop.

  Mom checked her watch. “It’s nearly 3 PM,” she told Morgan and James. “Assuming everything’s all right, I don’t think Dad’ll be that far behind us returning to camp.”

  James pulled out his map. “The visitor center’s on the way,” he realized.

  “Let’s stop there and at least get some information about what’s happening on Longs,” Mom suggested. “It’ll be nice to put our minds at ease.”

  It started raining again just as the bus pulled up. Morgan, James, and Mom hopped on and rode until they got to the visitor center stop.

  They walked inside quickly and noticed two rangers engaged in an urgent conversation. The Parkers stopped and listened for a second.

  • • •

  After a long trek down, Dad finally made it back into the land of trees. The sky continued to spit out short bursts of rain and hail, but by now, Dad felt better, safer. Even though he was cold and wet, he kept on moving.

  Somewhere in the forest, a group of rangers stormed past Dad, rushing up the mountain. “Hey,” Dad called out to them. The rangers stopped, and Dad quickly told them about what he saw and where.

  “Someone called in on their cell phone about the incident too,” one of the rangers replied. They thanked Dad and hustled on.

  Dad watched the rangers climb the trail. I’m relieved the park is responding to the emergency, he thought to himself.

  Dad sloshed on, exhausted from the lengthy ordeal and the lack of sleep. The path was difficult, so Dad had to take his time and watch his footing. He limped along in the relative safety of the forest, using his walking stick to balance and guide his steps. Finally, while plunging down a long, rocky, muddy section of trail, Dad sensed he was getting close to the car.

  All of a sudden, Dad saw a building ahead. He recognized it as the trailhead bathroom. Dad trudged inside and went right up to the sink. He splashed his weary face with water and looked into the mirror. “Boy,” he said to himself, “you look like you’ve been through the wringer.”

  Dad tried to pat down his matted hair but gave up a moment later, exiting the bathroom to go to the car. He got inside and shed all his wet clothes. Dad threw the muddy pile of gear into the back, put on a warm, dry shirt and pants, and glanced around the parking lot.

  A few other hikers had also reached the safety of their cars and were packing up. Dad noticed several ranger cars and an ambulance parked nearby. A crew of rangers and paramedics were gathered outside one of the trucks.

  Dad gingerly got out of the car to ask for more information. But his foot just couldn’t take any weight on it, and his back was sore.

  He stood outside for a moment more, then slid back into the car. They have all the help they need, and I can always find out what happened later, he told himself.

  Dad took two aspirin and started the engine. “Maybe I shouldn’t have tried this hike,” he said. “But then again, this whole ordeal could have turned out a heck of a lot worse.”

  Dad backed out of the parking lot and began driving toward Estes Park and the Glacier Basin area.

  • • •

  The two rangers were talking about the emergency rescue on the Longs Peak Trail.

  Mom heard this and quickly stepped closer. “Can you tell us what happened?” she asked urgently.

  “I only know that someone was probably struck by lightning. They tried to get a helicopter up there, but the storm made it too dangerous. A crew is bringing the person down by trail.”

  Mom swallowed anxiously. “Do you know who it is?”

  “That I don’t,” the ranger replied. “But I can call park dispatch to get any updated information for you.”

  • • •

  As Dad drove into the park and headed toward the campground, he drove past the visitor center. Dad slowed the car down. Hmm, he pondered. Is it possible they’re waiting in there because of the weather?

  Dad turned around and drove into the parking lot.

  • • •

  Morgan, James, and Mom followed the ranger toward a phone. As they walked past the front desk, a man wearily dragged himself in.

  Everyone stopped and looked at the weather-beaten figure.

  “Dad!” Morgan and James called out, running to him.

  Mom let out a relieved sigh and also ran to Dad.

  After the brief reunion, the visitor center ranger said, “I assume you won’t be needing me to phone dispatch anymore?”

  “No, thanks,” Mom replied.

  The family escorted Dad back up to the viewing room. Dad plopped down into one of the chairs. Morgan, James, and Mom stood nearby.

  “So, what happened up there?” Morgan finally asked.

  Dad took a long, slow, deep breath. He got a little choked up. “Well,” he started, then stopped. Dad gulped.

  “It’s okay,” Mom said, putting her arm on Dad’s shoulder.

  Finally Dad managed to speak. “I should have stayed behind with all of you.”

  Then Dad told the rest of his story. He described the hike at night, how cold it was, seeing the stars, the ghostlike forest, the sunrise, and climbing the boulder field. Dad finally got through all the details he could think of. He also described how high he went, the couple he met, and what had happened with his ankle.

  Next Dad detailed how he barricaded himself against the weather and how he finally got down the mountain as fast as he could, despite the conditions.

  He said he felt cold and numb the whole way down. “It was almost like being stuck in a bad dream,” he told them. “I was so relieved to make it back into the forest.”

  He paused for a moment and stared out the window.

  Morgan watched Dad. “What about the rescue?”

  Dad continued with the rest of his story. “It was really hard to tell what took place up there,” he admitted. “Everything was happening so fast, and…”

  Dad stopped, looked outside again, and continued. “Either the person I saw was hit, or they just took cover like me. But I did see rescuers running up the trail, and in the parking lot.”

  Dad finally took a deep breath, finished with his tale.

  “We’re so relieved you are safe,” Mom said.

  “Thanks,” Dad replied. “And what about all of you?”

  Morgan, James, and Mom each related details about their adventure on the Fern Lake Trail.

  “It really wasn’t that bad for us,” James concluded.

  “Watching the storm from the backcountry cabin was kind of cool,” Morgan admitted.

  “I think the hardest part,” Mom mused, “was not knowing if you were the one being rescued.”

  Dad looked at Mom, puzzled.

  “We heard about the incident from the ranger at Fern Lake,” Mom explained.

  “Wow,” Dad said. “The backcountry rangers are really kept informed here. That’s good.” Dad stood up and limped around the viewing room. “Well, while we’re here, let’s finally get a good look around, okay?”

  James smiled and shook his head. “We can’t. It’s almost 5 PM."

  And the Parkers all laughed.

  23

  Just before 8 AM, Morgan got up and took Dad’s thermometer outside the tent. She placed it on the picnic table and waited for it to settle.

  A few minutes later, Morgan crept back into the family’s cocoon. Dad rolled over in his sleeping bag. “How is it out there?”

  Morgan gave her family the morning weather report. “Well, it looks like a nice day. Right now the temperature is 37 degrees, but there’s no frost. The skies are mostly clear, and the sun is lighting up parts of the campground.”

  James smiled. “Maybe it’s your turn to start doing weather reports on TV.”

  “Maybe,” Dad said sleepily, turning over. �
�I have a request. Can I stay in the tent just a little longer?”

  So he did. Once it was past 9 AM, sunlight poured onto the tent, warming it quickly. Dad yawned and sat up. “I actually feel pretty rested!” he said out loud, surprised.

  He slid outside to help make breakfast.

  Mom smiled at her family. “Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another beautiful morning in the Rockies!” she announced.

  Dad hobbled over to the car for more ingredients. James noticed Dad limp as he walked. “Let me help you,” James said.

  “My foot’s definitely sore,” Dad admitted as he and James carried food back to the table. “I’ll have the doctor look at it when we get home.”

  When breakfast was ready, the Parkers sat and ate at the picnic table. By the time they cleaned up and packed everything, it was after 10 AM.

  For a final time, the family drove over to the Park & Ride area, packing up for one last hike in the park.

  Once more the Parkers took the bus up. They exited with a slew of others at Bear Lake.

  The skies were partly cloudy by then, and the intermittent morning sun made it perfect weather for hiking. The family walked over to a bench, and James pulled out his park map.

  “So,” James said, reviewing the Bear Lake area trail brochure, “it’s less than two miles to Emerald Lake. Not far at all.”

  They filled up their water bottles at the drinking fountain while Dad sat nearby and rubbed his foot. “You know,” Dad began, “I think my ankle needs a day off. I’m going to pass on this hike.”

  Morgan, James, and Mom looked at Dad with surprise. “Are you sure?” Morgan asked. “We’ll go slow.”

  “That’s okay,” Dad replied. “I’ll just be holding you up. Besides,” he added, “I’d like to look around Bear Lake.”

  Dad checked his watch. “It’s almost 11 AM. How about we meet back here at this bench at, say, 1:30?”

  “That should give us plenty of time,” Mom agreed.

  And with that, the Parkers again split up.

  • • •

  Dad pulled out his walking stick. He got up and used it on his tramp over to Bear Lake, just a short distance away.

  A trail circled the lake. Many people were strolling along the mostly flat pathway. Dad joined them, stopping to read his nature guide at the paw print markers along the way.

  At one stop, the pamphlet gave information about the park’s geology. Dad read the guide, then inspected the rocks nearby. “Two billion years of mountain building,” he said aloud, amazed.

  Dad continued walking slowly along the path and eventually found a bench to sit on. He plopped himself down and noticed beyond the lake a familiar mountain looming above all others. Ah, my old friend and nemesis, Longs Peak! Dad exclaimed to himself, staring at the massive mountain. “One day,” he said to the mountain, “I’ll be back.”

  Then Dad rubbed his foot. “As soon as I get better,” he added.

  TAKING THE LONG VIEW

  Longs Peak can be seen from over 100 miles away on the Great Plains. Native Americans used it to help navigate during their travels. The Stephen Long party of explorers visited the area in 1820, and, although Long didn’t climb it, the mountain is named after him. Scaling Longs Peak is very challenging. Most people choose the Keyhole route, but because of weather, the time involved, and altitude issues, over half of the people who try don’t make it to the summit.

  • • •

  Morgan, James, and Mom trekked up the first part of the trail. This section was paved, and it was crowded with other hikers. Soon the family reached a small lake full of lily pads. “Nymph Lake,” James announced while checking the trail map.

  As they walked past the picturesque spot, Morgan pointed to the sky. “Look!”

  Puffy cumulus clouds were dotting the sky.

  “Hmm,” Mom said.

  And they hiked on.

  • • •

  At stop number twenty-two,

  Dad paused near a bunch of trees that were bent strangely. He read in his pamphlet that the weight of heavy snows had bowed the trunks outward, leaving “snow knees” behind. Wow, Dad thought. There’s so much to pay attention to in nature. He hobbled on.

  A couple of rangers walked past. Dad waved to them, and they said hello back. As they strolled along, Dad overheard one say to the other, “That was quite an ordeal on the mountain yesterday. But it could have been a lot worse.”

  Dad turned and called over, “I was up there. What happened?”

  The rangers stopped and looked toward Dad. “Someone got struck by lightning up near the Keyhole. Were you near there during the storm?”

  “I was below it. It was pretty bad there too. But I knew someone was in trouble. Is he okay?”

  “She is mostly okay, now. Luckily she only has minor injuries and it wasn’t a direct strike.”

  “Whoa,” Dad said. “Thanks for letting me know.”

  The rangers continued on.

  • • •

  A short time later, Morgan, James, and Mom reached a second lake. This one was much different from the first. Dream Lake was situated in a deep mountain bowl. The narrow body of water was dotted with boulders.

  “Wow!” Mom exclaimed while gazing at the scenery. “I can see why it is named Dream Lake.”

  “Dad would love it here,” James said.

  Morgan, James, and Mom spent a few minutes looking at the lake. “We’d better head on,” Mom suggested.

  • • •

  Later, Dad stopped at another bench. He sat down and gazed out over the water and the spruce-fir forest surrounding it. Dad took a deep breath and admired the scenery. Then he read more from his nature guide. I’m at 9,475 feet, he realized. This little lake is so high up!

  Dad stared into the clear water. He noticed several fish swimming near the shore. “Trout!” Dad said aloud.

  Dad leaned over and watched the stout fish. They sure are beautiful, he thought to himself.

  After a while, Dad got up and walked farther along.

  • • •

  Finally, Morgan, James, and Mom reached the end of the trail. The dark green–colored Emerald Lake was flush against high mountains. A couple of waterfalls splashed into it.

  The three Parkers sat on some rocks near the shore. James checked his map. “I think we looked down on this lake from the Flattop Mountain Trail,” he realized.

  “I remember that!” Morgan said. “I think it’s the best of the three lakes on this hike,” she added.

  “Dream Lake was cool too,” James said.

  “They each have their own personality,” Mom concluded.

  Morgan, James, and Mom spent several minutes at the lake, then walked back down the trail.

  • • •

  Dad paused in a cool, shady area and checked his watch: 12:30. I wonder how my family is doing. He got up and slowly trudged along, taking his time while heading for the family’s agreed-upon meeting place, a sun-sheltered area near the trailhead. He eventually returned to the trailhead. Some visitors were walking back to their cars. Others were waiting for the bus. Dad sat in a sun-sheltered area and watched the hikers come and go.

  • • •

  After Morgan, James, and Mom passed Dream Lake, they spent another moment or two soaking in the scenery there. Then they continued on, hustling past Nymph Lake on their final stretch to the trailhead. “We’re getting close,” Mom called out to her kids once they reached the pavement.

  • • •

  Dad decided to use his walking stick to hobble on the paved trail toward Nymph Lake. He was just a short way along when he saw his family coming down.

  Dad stopped and let them come up to him, then they walked back together.

  A few minutes later they arrived at the Bear Lake area.

  “Let’s go check out the lake,” Dad spontaneously suggested. “I can’t believe with all the hiking we’ve done, we haven’t hung around there.”

  The family walked up to the nature path and sa
t on a bench. James and Morgan pulled out their journals.

  This is James Parker reporting from Rocky Mountain National Park.

  While we’re here at Bear Lake I’m going to sketch some clouds in my journal so I remember what they look like, what weather they bring, and their names: cirrus, stratus, cumulus, and cumulonimbus.

  It’s the cumulonimbus clouds that keep bringing the thunderstorms wherever we are, it seems. I wonder if it’s just Murphy’s Law, as Mom says, or if it’s always like this during summers in the Rockies.

  Anyway, despite the crazy weather, Rocky Mountain is a beautiful place. Here are my favorite sites:

  1. Emerald Lake

  2. Mills Lake

  3. Black Lake

  4. Andrews Glacier Trail

  5. Fern/Odessa Lake

  6. Flattop Mountain

  7. Trail Ridge Road

  8. Old Lulu City

  9. Elk near camp

  10. Deer Mountain

  Reporting from Rocky,

  James Parker

  Morgan wrote

  Dear Diary

  I really understand now how serious the weather warnings are for this area. If you decide to come to Rocky Mountain National Park, try to hike in the mornings, which are usually great. But on many summer days by afternoon or so, expect monster thunderstorms.

  The weather and altitude of the park can be challenging, but it is absolutely worth coming. Rocky Mountain is a special place, even if you don’t hike!

  Here are my top ten sites:

  1. Colorado River Trail

  2. The tundra on Trail Ridge Road

  3. The views from Deer Mountain

  4. The Moraine Park Visitor Center

  5. The elk on Trail Ridge Road

  6. Glacier Gorge Trail

  7. Andrews Glacier

  8. Longs Peak, almost (I put that in for Dad)

  9. Birding in the Beaver Meadows area

  10. Flattop Mountain

  Adios from Rocky Mountain National Park,

  Morgan

  The family caught the next bus down to the parking area. They drove out of the park, through Estes Park, and toward Denver.