Officers Gulch

Distance: 1.5 miles (estimate) around the lake
Elevation: 9,452 ft
Critters: Dragonflies and fish

A view of Officers Gulch looking towards Copper Mountain

Officers Gulch is a small Colorado lake right off of I-70 near the western exit for Frisco in Summit County. I decided to check it out one lazy Sunday. It turned out to be quite pleasant. There is a short trail around the lake and numerous social trails for fisherfolk who wish to cast a line.

This gentleman was fishing on his own private island that he kayaked out to

The view near the parking lot

A short bridge leads to the eastern side of the lake

The lake itself was alive with pond skimmers and dragonflies and numerous tree species dotted the area.

Some plants in the area

This strange looking "cone" on a Colorado Blue Spruce is a Cooley Spruce Gall (abnormal tissue outgrowth caused by insects or other invaders) that has swollen the stem. Cooley Spruce Galls are common and are caused by an aphid-like insect. The spines on it are "mutated" spruce needles. Thanks to reader for identifying this for me.

Lodgepole Pine

While the noise from I-70 is never far away, the area does boast ample parking.

More views around the lake

Looking southwest

Looking north

Looking northeast from the western end

Scaly Urchin Mushroom

Scaly Urchin Mushroom. The patterns on the fruiting body remind me of tree bark, or perhaps a pine cone. Judge for yourself.

It is not often that I get see mushrooms on the trail. They seem to grow best in the wetter and darker Spruce-Fir type of forest, which I don't get to visit often. On a recent trip to Native Lake in the Mount Massive Wilderness, however, there were shrooms galore.

The Scaly Urchin (Sarcodon imbricatus) has many names including the Shingled Hedgehog, Hawks Wing, and Hydnum imbricatum. It is apparently very common and grows at higher elevations in coniferous forests. I have also read that it is edible, but don't take my word on that!

Lake Haiyaha to Bear Lake Shuttle

Distance: 3.6 miles to Lake Haiyaha (one-way), 7.2 miles (out and back), 5.7 miles (to Bear Lake Shuttle).
Elevation: 9,200 ft (Glacier Gorge Trailhead), 10,286 ft (Max Elevation on trail between Lake Haiyaha and Dream Lake), 9,475 ft (Bear Lake)
Elevation Gain: 1,556 ft

The Emerald Color of Lake Haiyaha

Lake Haiyaha means "place of big rocks with not as many tourists as Dream Lake" in indigenous Arapaho. This less frequently visited destination within Rocky Mountain National Park is indeed surrounded by huge boulders that have tumbled down from Chaos Canyon. The lake, which is located in a draw between Hallet and Otis peaks, is a deep emerald color.

The Glacier Gorge Trailhead

Alberta Falls

You can visit the lake four ways, as an out and back from either the Glacier Gorge or Bear Lake trailheads or as shuttle from either location. I have done this hike twice now and both times I started at Glacier Gorge and ended at Bear Lake. The convenient Park Shuttle dropped me off and picked me up from both trailheads.

A well-groomed trail

Another typical trail segment

Summer in Rocky Mountain National Park is a precursor to Elk bugling season...be one with the herd. In this instance, however, I was with a large group that took up a quarter of the shuttle bus. Herd indeed.

Entering Glacier Gorge

The signs at the Mills Lake...Loch Vale trail junction

We started at the Glacier Gorge trailhead and quickly arrived at Alberta Falls at 0.87 miles. The route from Alberta Falls to the Mills Lake/Loch Vale trail junction (at 2.17 miles) is one of my favorites. The route switchbacks steadily upwards on a well groomed trail. There are plenty of vista points and the ever pleasant journey through Glacier Gorge itself. This segment is a rock shelf overlooking a precipitous gorge surrounded by towering rock walls. Don't worry about exposure here though, this shelf is wide and welcoming.

A sunnier segment of the Lake Haiyaha Trail

The pond on the way

From the Loch side of this junction is the sign for Lake Haiyaha. The turn off is within spitting distance (we did test this out) of the junction, so you don't have to worry about missing it. Another sign warns that the trail to the lake is unimproved. This is unimproved by National Park standards, which means it is still quite cushy by Colorado standards.

A rockier trail segment

A small pond to the left on the final approach to Lake Haiyaha

This segment of the route is more in the trees and climbs more intensively. At 2.64 miles is a small lake on the right. It has nice views, so take a break and walk out to it. At 3.34 miles is a turn off to the lake. This too is marked by an obvious sign. 0.3 miles further up the trail you come to the large rocks surrounding the lake.

A large group leaving the lake as I arrived

Looking up into the tallus field of Chaos Canyon

Our group enjoyed lunch spralled out on the rocks. These boulders are quite large and angular. It made it difficult to navigate and certainly time consuming to get down to the water. I chose to sunbath and take pictures.

An expansive view of Longs Peak and the keyboard of the winds from the trail to Dream Lake

Looking down on Bear and Nymph Lakes

From this point, the hiker can turn around and head back to Glacier Gorge or continue on to Dream Lake (9,912 ft) at 4.57 miles. This route takes the hiker upwards to a maximum elevation of 10,286 ft. before heading downwards on a narrow shelf towards Dream Lake. In spring, this route can be treacherous indeed, but once the snows have melted it is easy going with spectacular views of Longs Peak.

Once off the ridge, the trail to Dream Lake is largely shaded

Dream Lake with Hallet Peak in the background

Dream Lake is a short 2/10ths of a mile off the route, and since this is one of the most visited locations in the park, a mandatory detour. Take a moment to admire the twisted trees around the lake before heading down to restful Nymph Lake at 5 miles (9,705 ft). From Nymph Lake it is only 0.7 miles to the Bear Lake and the shuttle bus.

Stopping to take a look at the Trout in the stream

Nymph Lake and its many Lilly Pads

Despite the crowds, hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park is always pleasant. There is something about a National Park and its manicured wilderness that is cozy and comforting. I was surprised by the number of dead Lodgepole Pines, however. The Pine Bark Beetle is firmly entrenched on the eastern slope.

Caribou Ranch

Distance: 4.85 miles round trip (both trails with detours)
Elevation at the start: 8,580 ft
Elevation Gain: 756 ft (cumulative)
Dogs: Prohibited
Bikes: Prohibited
Critters: Snipe Flies (yikes!)
Seasonal Closure: 1 April to 30 June for Elk calving

DeLonde Homestead in the distance at Caribou Ranch

Caribou Ranch Open Space is located just north of Nederland on the Peak to Peak highway. Its two trails can be combined into a lovely stroll through Ponderosa Forest and open meadows. In summer the meadows are filled with wildflowers and tall green grasses.

Early trail segment

View to the west before heading down to the meadow

The ranch contains many attractions including the bright red barn of the DeLonde Homestead, the buildings and ruins of the Bluebird Mine, an excursion along Boulder Creek, and a short, nostalgic sojourn along the road bed of the Switzerland Trail, former route of the Denver, Boulder & Western Railroad.

A segment in Aspens

The parking is ample at the trailhead, which is short distance off of highway 72. A large brown sign points the way. Bathroom facilities are also present.

The wildflowers in this small meadow caught the eye

The route begins on the DeLonde Trail (1.2 miles one way) in a Ponderosa forest that angles gently upwards. Occasional rock piles and views of the western hills dominate the early portion of the route. A little further on the route transitions into small meadows surrounded by young Aspens before intersecting at 0.84 miles with the Switzerland Trail (as in train) roadbed. A small interpretive sign provides information about this historical landmark. The route follows the road bed until it intersects with the Bluebird Loop (1.8 miles around).

Another small meadow

At this point, you can take the loop in either direction. Since the red barn of the DeLonde Homestead was in view across an expansive green meadow, it was difficult not to head directly to it and take the loop in a counter-clockwise manner.

Intersecting the Switzerland Trail

The homestead (1.5 miles) consists of the attractive barn, a large house, a picnic table and a small lake that is blocked by a fence. This was a pleasant place indeed to lounge and listen to the birds in the trees.

The red barn up close

The DeLonde Homestead residence

Beyond the homestead on the northern portion of the loop is Boulder Creek at 2.26 miles. There is a short set of stone steps one can descend to reach the water. It is really unfortunate that dogs are not allowed in the open space because it has everything a dog could want.

Looking towards the small pond. The picnic table is just to the right

Trees and rocks near the homestead

On the western extent of the loop is a small sign pointing to the ruins of the Bluebird Mine. The name actually comes from Blue Azurite, which is often found in silver ore. The mine was active in the 1870s. You can wander around the buildings and look across a fence into the mine shaft itself.

Boulder Creek, still flowing in early August

There are several paths leading away from the mine site and it was little confusing finding the trail again. If route finding is not for you, just back track up the spur trail that led to the mine and you'll be fine.

Coming up on the Bluebird Mine complex

Looking into the mine shaft

The last part of the loop is along the edge of the expansive meadow. The DeLonde Homestead is visible in the distance. A bench is strategically placed along the side, ideal for another summer-time contemplative moment.

Part of the meadow

Looking across the meadow to the homestead beyond

Caribou Ranch is an idyllic spot. Lovers, families, or walkers seeking both solitude and pleasing views will find it most appealing. A word of caution, however.... Snipe Flies prowl this bucolic paradise. Two bites on my hand and it swelled up like a balloon. If you have similar sensitivities, spray on the Deet, or visit in a less petulant time of year.

The final stretch of the loop before it retains the Switzerland Trail

Star Green Gentian (Felwort)

Star Green Gentian Swertia perennis or Felwort is a new flower for me. I found it growing in the swampy grasses leading up to Wheeler Lake. It likes to have wet roots and grows in clumps. It is a late blooming flower, showing up in late summer and early fall.

Praying Mantis

Carolina Mantis (Stagmomantis carolina)

Ok ladies, admit it, how many of you out there would like to be one with the Praying Mantis and bite the head off your mate! Actually, the sexual cannibalism in Mantises is controversial. While observed in captivity, it is not often observed in Nature. That make the Mantis no less cool in my book.


It has been unseasonably hot here in Colorado this summer and the warm-loving Mantis has been spotted here and there. This specimen was on my driveway one morning. I spent a half hour cricking my neck with a macro lens trying to get a photo. I was laying on my belly and could not get my glasses into the view finder so most of the shots were blurry.


There are 6 species of Mantis in Colorado, but I believe this is a Carolina Mantis, which is common to the area. The European Mantis has two dots inside its forelegs. I never did see these since this bad boy kept his wicked looking "grippers" tightly closed.

Close up of the spins

I did observe him twisting his head around to preen his antennae. Mantis can articulate their heads up to 300 degrees. As you can see from the photos, their eyes are huge and their vision is binocular like humans (better to lunge at you my dear). This allows their body to stay still while their head turns to and fro looking for prey.

If you have not guessed already, the Praying Mantis is a carnivore. It primarily feeds on insects, which makes it the friend of organic farmers. Some species eat fish and one Mystery Science Theatre specimen was know to eat most of the human residents in a small town in Kansas. Yikes!