Pogwatigue Perambulations: Bierstadt Lake

Yesterday, I went snowshowing for the first time. It was easily the most taxing five miles I've ever traveled, but the spectacular scenery, amply rewarded my exertions. I went on the invitation of my friend, Dan Hadley, who provided not only the expert guidance, but also a laundry basket load of extra gear, that I needed for this particular outing.

The adventure really began three days ago. I had one assignment to prepare for the trip, rent snowshoes from a local sporting goods shop. But on Friday, a huge snowstorm was busy dumping a couple feet of snow in Denver. After excavating the car from the accumulation, I carefully drove to the store rented the equipment and carefully drove back. The next day, I had to clear the more snow, including what plows repositioned, so I would be ready for an early start.

I arrived at Dan's place about eight o'clock yesterday morning where he outfitted me with the extra gear. We departed for Rocky Mountain National Park together, through the scenic foothills and freshly snow-covered forests of the Rocky Mountains. After a quick pit stop in Estes Park for some last minute beverages and snacks, we entered the Park proper and made our way to the Bear Creek Trailhead.

Although we arrived before ten, it took over a half-hour of prep work before I took my first step in a snowshoe. I needed no special instructions. It's as intuitive as walking, although I did recall the advice my guide gave on the glacier hike for walking in crampons: "keep your steps high, wide, and flat." The biggest adjustment is the additional weight and friction encumbering each step.

Dan picked a good trail for my inaugural trek. A steep climb, followed by a gentle descent to Bierstadt Lake, a small, frozen lake with grand views of the mountains that make up the Continental Divide and a few glimpses of Long's Peak, the tallest mountain in the park, thrown in when the clouds dispersed. The trail was packed pretty tight from previous snowshoers. At our destination lake, Dan lead me off trail on to some fresh unpacked snow, which is magnitudes more difficult to walk on, or to be more precise, though. Perhaps, I achieved as many as twenty successful steps before I stumbled and while falling down contorted myself into an odd position half buried in the snow. Dan commented, "Now, you're in trouble." Somehow, I managed to right myself and continue to the frozen lake surface, which provide much easier going.

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We rested on a perfectly situated log on the north edge of the lake for around thirty minutes, then crossed to frozen surface to its eastern outlet where we admired the expansive view the many peaks to the east. We returned using the same trail on which we came. The gentle descent became a challenging ascent. I was most relieved when we reached the highest portion of the trail, which meant an easy descent to the trail. We did add a loop around Bear Lake, the trailhead's namesake, before packing up and heading back to Boulder. I had a tight deadline to return the snowshoes, but we managed a quick dinner in Boulder, before I went on my way.

Trip Statistics
Length: 5.2 miles
Total Time: 4 hours 18 minutes
Min. Elev.: 9,452 ft.
Max. Elev.: 9,869 ft.
Net Gain: 417 ft.
Total Ascent: 1,040 ft.

Elevation Profile