P. Lake

 So much for an early start on this hike - these folks were heading back to the corral, just as I was starting out!

4 miles and 2400' gain takes you to a set of beautiful lakes and ponds - and the hike there ain't half bad either!

 One of my favorite wildflowers - larkspur.

 The first lake you pass by on the trail.

 And a pond on the other side, with neat reflections.

 Nice mountain setting, eh?!

 Folks fishing at the main lake.

 Another perfect CO summer day...

 P. Lake, in all its glory.

 And Mr. Marmot, in all of his!!

 And Squirrel Woman, in hers!

 A look over the ridge - more on this later.  You can drive up the M. Basin road and access P. Lake from this other side.  But that's for another day...

Pretty flowers - and pretty pollinator.

 Gorgeous flower field.

 A flutter by.

 The stuff that dreams are made of (at least mine).  Can you hear the sound of music yet?

 More paintbrush - such pretty colors.

 And columbine.

 And a big patch of lousewort.

 Maybe fleabane...?

Just can't get enough of my larkspur!!  Aren't they gorgeous?

SP RV Park

Also on the 8th, we had to move to another RV park.  Fortunately, we didn't have to go far (just next door!), and some of our new-found friends came to visit.

Rich and Juanita joined us for dinner one night.  What sweet people!  When we started all this, we never dreamed how many wonderful people we would meet from all over the place!  Tractor thinks having nice people around - esp. around the dinner table!! - is a very good idea.

 We also had to check out a new arrival's cat balcony!

Yeah, I think these kitties knew how to make the most of their portable sun deck!

 Another visitor from our first RV park - Russell, who was 90, as I recall.  Not only did he still drive a pretty good-sized motor home, but...

 he also still rode! 

MH Trail

I got ahead of myself.  On the 8th, I did another hike, up the MH trail, which you can access from the BW trail (same location - right above town).  It was a lot more demanding than just the short, little BW trail though, and I was still trying to get back into shape.  When a young, shirtless guy jogged up past me, it only served to add to my embarrassment at having to huff and puff my way up the 1500 feet...

 Another look at part of the town.

 Some good clouds for the start of my trek.

 Pretty skies over BV.

 Looking more to the north.  Clouds getting more organized.

 And more to the south.

 Almost to the top.

 oooh, starting to get serious!

 Cool cloud formations (looking north again).

 (and south).

Looking east, away from the big mountains and over more little hills.

K. Lake

On the 11th, I hiked to K. Lake, 8 miles round trip and 1600 ft gain (9,900 to 11,500).  I don't know if I just wasn't in good enough shape yet or what, but this hike kicked my butt!  I was doing fine at first but then hit a wall, as they say.  Had a headache, felt weak and dizzy.  Maybe it was just the altitude getting to me on the way up, but it wasn't much fun!  Got better after a little while.

Here is a nice view of Mt. P on my way to the trailhead.

 Was a pretty trail and so nice that much of it was in the woods and shaded! 

 Sometimes the shade falls over though...  Parts of the trail were pretty messed-up with deadfall.

 Always love the reflections!

Some of the trail was rocky and actually part of a creek.  

 It's not a lousy trail, just a lousey flower!

Lousewort.

  Nice tree silhouettes and sky.

 Do you know this girl?

 Looking back.  Almost to the lakes.

 K. Lake.

 More reflections.

 Pretty day.  Pretty lake.

 And pretty flowers (paintbrush, bluebells,...)

Nice set of antlers.  Looks like someone lost them the hard way though!  These were obviously still attached to the owner's head!!  Maybe someone's dinner?

I should know this bird...

 but I don't.  Will have to look him up!

 Perfect Paintbrush.

One last look at the lake.

And then time to head back down before I get rained on!

 Gorgeous sky and lighting!

 ooops!  Too late!

The rain finds me.  But it's worth it, as usual!