Welcome to Breckenridge

I haven't been above 11,500' since late 1980's, when I was at the Lower Saddle of the Grand Teton. Well, that changed as of this hike, which got me to 11,800' The odd part is that in Colorado getting over 11,500 is commonplace and is a stop along the way up many 14,000' peaks. It gets to be pretty easy getting over 11,500 given that we are living at 9900'. But damn, it is still a bit of an effort -- mostly in low oxygen conditions. "In this altitude range some people may start to experience problems related to altitude.  AMS, or Acute Mountain Sickness symptoms may set in at any altitude above 6,000 feet.  At 10,000 feet, the atmosphere is only 50% of that found at sea level.  Breathing can become difficult, even for those in good physical condition.  Women who are pregnant and people with cardiopulmonary disorders should consult a physician before spending any time at these altitudes." But if you live here, you simply get used to it. And if y...

June and July are the best months for Alpine Wildflowers - there is water, and the sun is not yet baking. So, anytime you go for a hike, wildflowers are everywhere. As a result, is it hard not to stop and take pictures. Besides, it makes for a great excuse to stop and rest! Same ones from previous posts --- this time living side by side; Globeflower and Marsh Marigold New one -- very pale blue Same flower but in a drift Shooting Stars again Another new one Snowball Saxifrage

Chose a hike close to town, the trailhead is literally overlooking I-70 and the Whole Foods. So, it is off to Lily Pad Lake, -- easy 3.2 mile roundtrip and "only" 800' of elevation. There were even more white flowers on this adventure, all different from before and different from each other, so, pay attention. If there is a bridge, take a picture of Alicia on it. Is the Madame Butterfly? Shooting Stars - not a great photo Looking back towards town -- Dillon Reservoir Columbine Tall trees -- should be excellent in the fall One of two lakes Lily Pad Lake Some yellow flower Alicia at the overlook The white flowers Petal is lobed; 5 petals 5 petals, not lobed  - Geranium Flowers on a bract 5 petals with dense stamen  - Alpine Strawberry 5 petal - elongated: violet markings White Gentian?

Although still coughing and hacking, we decided on another hike -- to the Kettle Ponds. This was a hike of just over 6 miles with a modest 800' of elevation gain, but at + 9500'. In the end, it was not the prettiest hike around (not a lot of open views and tons of trees down and across the trail), but we did find a lot of white flowers, mostly along the water's edge of the creeks we crossed. I should say, LOTS of white flowers. From my assessment, there were 3 different species of plants, even if they all look a lot alike. And it is always fun to take pictures of Alicia on the bridges. North Rock Creek Alicia confidently crossing the North Rock Creek First of the flowers,  or flouahs:  White Marsh Marigold Different species -- note the number of petals and shape of the stamen: White Globeflower Alicia remains confident as we cross the South Rock Creek I like these! Big bunch of white globeflowers You have arr...

This was our first hike of this trip. A few things got in the way of getting out earlier: too much snow and a lingering pulmonary cough. We both had this damn cough when we left May 9th and our PCP told us that it would last 3-4 weeks. We think that being at altitude (acclimatizing) set us back, as the thin air seemed to drag out this cough. The Cataract Lake hike was short without much elevation gain, so it was a good first hike. Because it was low (8500'), the snow was gone.  Early flowers were in bloom, the lake was in a nice setting, and the day was really nice. Green Gentian - a pale variety, or early bloom. This plant grows for 20-80 years, and flowers just once. After it flowers -- like this -- it dies. This is called a monocarpic plant   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frasera_speciosa This is normally a small, nice, easy flowing stream --- but not at runoff! Lots of pretty things to look at: here a field of Iris and Alicia Aawh! ...