Last week we hiked to Finch Lake up in the Wild Basin entrance to RMNP. Heading up the trail at 7 a.m., it was cool and beautiful. The first part of the trail goes up through tall pines and around a corner into a lovely aspen-filled meadow. Elaine and I both agree, though, that some giant must have designed the rock steps that take you up the majority of the altitude. No normal human has that kind of natural step! 

Once you conquer those, there are some amazing views of Longs and Meeker and the surrounding peaks. Although this is a tough trail at points, we always find enough breath to talk quietly as we hike along, bouncing ideas off each other and sharing our lives. And when you come down the last bit of the five-mile trail, the lake is awesome. No one else was there and the lake was still, the sky so blue, and the wildflowers plenty. 

We hiked through snow, which is unusual for this late in June. The water was high, and the little streams were still flowing down the trail at points. On our way back down the trail, we began to run into other

Meadow Mountain Cafe

hikers and counted ourselves blessed to have had the lake all to ourselves.

Ten miles later, we lunched at our old favorite, Meadow Mountain Cafe! Chocolate malts all around. A wonderful day.