Echo Lake

We had a fun back-country Thursday drive to Echo Lake, followed by a short walk along the lake, and a visit to help out the soon-to-be-evicted long-term owners of the Lodge and Gift Shop there. Couldn’t resist grabbing lunch there too.

We paused in Evergreen, to take a photo of the dam at Evergreen Lake, which had some nice Fall color

The Evergreen Lake dam and nearby Fall color looked even nicer, when we stepped out of the picture

Pretty panoramic view of a few fall colors (mostly Aspen) on the hillside, and the mountains in the distance, looking northwest from highway 103

 

Photo memento of the Echo Lake Lodge

Pretty view of Echo Lake, with just a little snow on the mountains today

A teeny bit of Fall red color by the trail

Starting out on our walk. We followed the short trail to the other end of the lake. The last time we were here, there was half a foot of snow on the ground, the lake was frozen over, and the freezing cold wind was blowing strongly. This was so much nicer.

Delicate pink flowers on some thistles by the lake

Enjoying the sparkles on the lake

Gorgeous view to the south. I suspect that Mount Evans (elevation 14,272) is in this picture, along with possibly Rogers Peak, Mount Warren, Gray Wolf Mountain, and Mount Bierstadt, which are all in a southerly direction, although, I can't identify any of them.

A little more red Fall color along the trail

Solitary white flower by the lake

Another great view to the south

Nice view of the lodge from the other end of the lake

Hard to see the Spanish Moss on the trees, but I liked the look. Reminded me of camping as a kid.

Closer view of the Spanish Moss

After doing our best to bolster the economy in the gift shop, I turned my efforts to the snack bar. Loved their delicious buffalo chili, and pudding cake with coffee.

Better view looking out the snack bar window

Not surprised to see that the road up to Mount Evans is closed for the season. This is the highest paved road in the continental United States.

Home again! I think I caught this Finch photo, just as they shook their head and threw a seed away

Two finches NOT attempting to coexist in the same location - one was incoming, and neither one was at all interested in sharing that spot