Wildflower Hike

Last Friday, I hiked the Acorn Creek Trail near Silverthorne, Colorado, with my Women With Altitude group. We experience a profusion of gorgeous wildflowers that had us ooohing and aaahing throughout the hike. Unfortunately, I didn't bring my camera along with me, but I tried to take some photos with my cell phone. The pictures didn't do the flowers justice, but here's a sampling anyway:

Blue columbine (Colorado state flower) and pink wild roses.

Chiming bells in front of aspens and resting hikers.

The mountain view across the valley on our way back to the trailhead.

A red profusions of scarlet gilia, also called fairy trumpet.

Snowshoeing on the Ptarmigan Trail

On Monday this week, I went snowshoeing with the "Snowshoe Hares" group from the Summit County Senior Center on the Ptarmigan Trail near Silverthorne, Colorado. We hiked to the lookout that provides a breathtaking view of Lake Dillon, the Gore Range and the valley below. We made our way through aspen and pine forests, over frozen creeks and fallen logs, and past animal tracks and evidence of elk bedding down overnight near the trail. The total distance was just over 4 miles, with an almost 1000' altitude gain. Quite a workout!

The photos below were taken by my husband, starting with one of me, then of me with the rest of the group.

The photos below were taken at the overlook, starting with three scenic shots, then one of three of us sitting on a log and eating lunch, then one of my husband and me before we started the trek back to the parking lot. As you can see, it was gorgeous day!