From our first hike, we learned that the boys needed more than sneakers, so we contributed to the local economy of Estes Park and bought each some new hiking shoes. (I'm hoping that they give up wearing them so that I can inherit them)
We all seemed to be doing well with the altitude, and the boys did great on our first trial hike, we upped the ante for our next hike: Lake Helene. We left the Bear Lake trailhead and climbed up, up, up to the lake. It was absolutely breathtaking!
Instead of going back the way we came, we headed down the mountain on a different trail. The park service has shuttle busses that go from trailhead to trailhead, so you don't have to end up at your stating point. From Lake Helene, we hiked down, down, down a steep and rocky horse trail.
We spent half of our time on the trail right at treeline. At Lake Helene (10,700 ft elev) the boys played in the snow. No one went swimming, though.
GP did not like the exposed parts at all. It was a long way down to the bottom of the canyon. I'm glad he wasn't sitting six feet higher on a stumbling horse.
On our descent, we passed Lake Odessa, Fern Lake, and a pretty waterfall. Each lake had its own feel. This is Fern Lake.
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