Rusty and Joel's Backcountry Adventure

As noted, Jill and Cooper got to stay in Alaska for another 12 days after I left. Being in our house with no Jill, no Cooper, and even no dogs (visiting grandparents in Oklahoma) was not much fun. Luckily, worlds aligned and Rusty's wife was also out of town the one weekend that I'd spend in CO before we all got back home.

So there were some plans suggested. We talked about climbing Long's Peak, doing big high country bike rides, but ultimately we settled on a trip up to Rocky Mountain Natl Park for a backpacking trip. Rusty was an outdoor guide for years, plus he is a big kid so he can haul lots and lots of gear. Perfect person to backpack with.

We did some work Friday morning, ran some errands and then loaded up and headed up to Estes to get our permit. We lucked out and scored a great campsite that worked right into our preferred route for the weekend. We would start at Bear Lake, spend the night at Odessa Lake and then hike out to the Fern Lake trail head to where we would grab the courtesy shuttle to get us back to our vehicle.

After having to go buy a bear canister, stock up on food (and beer), and then drop the car we were finally to the Bear Lake trail head and ready to go. The first day would be all up, and both Rusty and I were extremely overpacked for such a simple trip. We had at least two of everything. I brought tons of "luxury items" that I would never take on a longer trip, but knowing we only had 5 - 6 miles to hike each day I just kept stuffing things into my pack. I'm guessing my pack was in the 35lb. range, Rusty's probably was approaching 45.


Up we go.

From Odessa Lake Loop

Rusty (aka Smoke) in his all gray from head to toe

From Odessa Lake Loop

Break point on the way up

From Odessa Lake Loop

Once away from Bear Lake, the number of people dropped quickly. We encountered a couple of people returning from day hikes, but the hordes and masses of Bear Lake were long behind us. Great temps and blue skies for the hike up, and the wild flowers were everywhere.

From Odessa Lake Loop

From Odessa Lake Loop

Rusty's pack buddy

From Odessa Lake Loop

Views along the way

From Odessa Lake Loop

Making our way across a huge boulder field

From Odessa Lake Loop

Columbine

From Odessa Lake Loop

We made good time up the climb, and before we knew it we were dropping down to Odessa Lake. We had a couple of small snow fields to cross but they were relatively quick and easy to get across. Once at Odessa Lake, we setup camp and then headed to the shore to relax and take it all in.


Where did you spend Friday night?

From Odessa Lake Loop

Rusty hanging at the lake

From Odessa Lake Loop

High Altitude beer seemed fitting

From Odessa Lake Loop

As the sun started to set, the winds were gone and the lake got even more gorgeous

From Odessa Lake Loop

After downing 4 8% beers at 10k feet, Rusty was asleep before his head hit the pillow. I drifted off, but then woke up to see a magnificent lightning storm in the sky. Thankfully it was north and east of us and it was much easier to admire than had it been directly overhead. We woke up, had breakfast by the lake, packed up camp and started packing up camp. Not long after, we were on the trail and headed down. Our trip to Fern Lake would be quick as it was all downhill.

The temps were getting warm and the people were out in full force. We worked our way downhill as quickly as we could, stopping along the way to rest and snap pictures.


Fern Lake

From Odessa Lake Loop

Fern Falls

From Odessa Lake Loop

After passing hundreds of people coming up, we were finally at the trail head. After a bit, the shuttle bus picked us up and we were in the car and headed back to the Front Range before noon.

As seen from Google Earth...

From Odessa Lake Loop