I love this hike. It's impossible not to fall in love with a massive meadow with a sock-you-in-the-jaw view of the mountain.
There were quite a few vehicles at the trail head when we arrived at a little after 9. Despite that we weren't stumbling over people, which was nice, but it's interesting that when we were there late last summer we were almost the only ones on the trail. I suspect part of that has to do with there still being snow at higher elevations.
Within seconds of stepping out of the truck the mosquitoes were swarming. I was hopeful that they might just be in that area. Riiiiigggggghhhhht. 'Tis the season. They little bloodsuckers were problematic the entire hike.
We hit a super-boggy section relatively quickly after starting up the trail. It required a little negotiating, but neither of us fell in the mud or filled our boots. Success!
Less than two miles up the trail we reached the shores of Lake Eleanor. There were no campers, just a beautifully silent lake reflecting the blue sky and green trees.
We reached the first meadow in relative short order. Gorgeously green, the area over next to the pond was full of lupine. The far side, which is usually a little damp, was very damp. It was also full of little frogs, which were delightful. They hopped around us, we hopped around them.
Shortly before and after the meadow we began to see avalanche lily, though most were faded. I remained hopeful and was rewarded as we reached the edge of the park. Lilies became more prominent, along with sulfur flowers (the tiny yellow flowers), lupine, magenta paintbrush....gorgeous.
And then there was the mountain. Blue sky, massive mountain, meadow filled with flowers. A perfect day. Well, almost perfect. There were the aforementioned skeeters. And the idiots who had set up a tent in the meadow. And the other idiots tromping two-abreast through the meadow..one on the trail, another crushing flowers left and right. Why, people, why???
We paused for lunch in view of the mountain, drinking it all in, then packed it in for the day. Superb. We will be back, Grand Park. Again and again and again.
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