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

 

Cool Monday

We enjoyed a cool mostly overcast 47° Monday morning in Littleton. Today’s breakfast photo is of Finches at rest, and in motion, with Fall colors in the background… 🙂

Saturday ride

We woke up to a chilly 51° Saturday morning, with rain forecast for the afternoon. I waited until midday to try a bike ride in a little warmer air, and was rewarded with a few more Fall colors in the bright sunshine.

 

I caught a quirky photo angle on this Blue Jay, who was enjoying the seeds that Jennefer put out.

 

House Finch lounging in the tire swing feeder.

 

 

First Fall color I saw, after joining up with the Lee Gulch trail.

 

Some red and green by the Lee Gulch trail, just before the tunnel under Santa Fe Drive.

 

I love the yellows against the blue sky, and this little splotch of color was even prettier, with the rocks and small rapids in the Lee Gulch creek.

 

Big yellow tree where the Lee Gulch meets the Mary Carter Greenway trail along the South Platte River. 

 

The sumac usually goes through a red and green phase for a short while.

 

 

 

I stopped for a few minutes behind some other bikers, to enjoy watching this fellow flying a very maneuverable kite from the trail on top of the Chatfield dam.

 

 

  

Bright yellow and blue, just after crossing under the highway, on the C-470 trail.

 

 

 

The reds in this sumac were eye-catching bright to me, but the picture didn't do them justice. 

 

 

I loved this tall lacy yellow tree, growing out of the bottom of the Highline Canal. 

 

 

The reds in this sumac also jumped out at me, and turned out better in this photo. 

 

 

 

 

I particularly loved this view of the yellow cottonwoods and expansive sky, along the C-470 trail. 

 

 

This big splotch of orange and red always catches me by surprise, as I round this corner on the C-470 trail. I was ready for it today, though.  

 

 

Small but intense display of red in the Highline Canal. 

  

 

 

One of my favorite trees along the trail turns red with green for awhile, and has a pleasing shape.

 

 

 

Our Saturday ended with a striking sunset view from the deck.

Thursday ride

I saw a lot more signs of Fall during my Thursday afternoon bike ride, but only stopped to get this one pic. 

 

Man, there were a lot of little bugs hovering over the road on top of the Chatfield dam! I'm glad I'd brought my face mask with me, as it made the ride endurable, if not enjoyable, for those four miles...

Stormy Thursday

We woke up to a pretty blue sky 65 degree Thursday morning, although I’m sure it’s warming up now. I was thinking of going for my bike ride soon, and then noticed a thunderstorm was heading toward us from the west, and building, so I’m taking a little while to let it pass, before I head out. 

The incoming storm looked pretty interesting from the deck, with just a touch of Fall color in the foreground. 

While I was finishing breakfast, we saw a parliament of Magpies descend on the deck box, to feast on the bowls of seeds that Jennefer had put there. Those guys are so raucous and fun to watch. There was only one left, by the time I pulled out my phone's camera.