June 24, 2012

Brainard Lake Rec Area

Last week we spent a lot of time trying to decide what to do for the weekend. Some weeks we have ideas cemented in place far in advance and know we are headed to a certain location. This was not the case last week. Our friend Kristen was coming to Denver for a work course, and arriving a few days early to hang out  with us in Boulder. Due to the big High Park fire near Fort Collins, the entire Front Range was quite smoky throughout the week, and we weren't sure which way the fire would move or which areas might be impacted by blowing smoke.

Friday we went for a long (18 miles/30km) family bike ride. In the future I will ask more questions when Meggan says we're going for a "fun family bike ride." That is a long way to tow a Chariot with Rachel inside! We did explore a new park in north Boulder we had never visited before. Saturday we rode our bikes downtown to the Farmer's Market and visited Pearl street with Kristen. I was super tired and feeling sluggish all week. Finally we decided that due to fire uncertainty we shouldn't camp. Instead we would monitor the fire and head up for a day hike on Sunday to Isabelle Glacier.

What a beautiful area!  Alpine lakes and mountains all around.  We had a terrific time hiking up toward the lake, and then decided we would go a little further.  Kristen took a turn carrying Rachel around the lake after we had a nice break for lunch in the wind.  Meggan and Kristen then hiked up to the glacier while Rachel and I played in a waterfall and then did some rounds of sliding down a snow patch.  Rachel and I made it back to the car just a few minutes before Meggan and Kristen, and then we all drove home together for a Sunday night dinner.

For pictures of the hike, click here


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