Embracing the Fierce Beauty of the Wind, Estes Park, CO

It is like night and day here at the YMCA of the Rockies in the wintertime. The fast pace and the crowds are nowhere to be found. Well, except for the holiday breaks, but that is short-lived.

At times, it is hard to believe it is the same place I experienced just a few months ago. Especially when I walk around campus and feel like I am the only person around.

Do I like it? Yes, I do.

The stillness and the slow pace feel so natural, as if Mother Nature herself is taking a break. Most of the wildlife is sleeping for the winter or migrating to lower elevations. The short days and the darkness of night, swelling the mountains around me, create a feeling of gentle floating. The only thing that feels full of life is the wind.

I was warned about the wind in this area of the Rockies. It is one of those things you cannot truly understand until you experience it. It is for sure a challenge. However, like any other weather condition, I try to adjust myself and not let it stop me unless it becomes a safety issue.

Routine is back in my life. Morning walks and hikes, work, writing, playing with glass, creating new friendships, and planning my spring and summer travels. My plate is full, and even without living on the open road, I find contentment in the break.

All night, the wind is howling. My windows are shaking to the rhythm, creating their own song. I admire the wind’s echoes of courage and strength. I fall asleep with my window slightly open, enjoying the pure, fresh air and feeling the wind on my face.

Good morning, sunshine. One of the things I so love about Colorado is the smiling sun that rises on most days. Yes, it is cold. Very cold. However, with the right clothing and a shift in attitude, the cold is simply a fact of life.

I welcome my days off with a hike in the park. To my surprise, when I get to the parking lot for Bierstadt Lake, it is completely empty. Of course, I feel like I have won the lottery. A trail to myself. How gorgeous.

I put on my spikes, as a thin layer of snow covers the ground. The beautiful silence around me reminds me that safety comes first. Hiking in the winter requires extra caution. Since no one knows where I am, it is time to send a message to my Power Girls to let them know my plans and to turn on my Garmin.

The wind is still howling her song. I love the sound of the wind flowing and hugging the trees. It feels like a love story between the elements of nature, playing together with respect.

Of course, the wind makes the temperature feel like 8°, so I bundle up and start my climb. The hike to Bierstadt Lake starts at about 8,620 feet. It is not a long hike, only about 3 miles with 803 feet of elevation gain.

The white-covered tree line reminds me of a photo I took a few years ago in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I hung that photo with a quote that became part of the encouragement I needed to push forward:

“The first step toward getting somewhere is to decide you are not going to stay where you are.”

John Pierpont (J. P.) Morgan. So, so true.

When I reach the lake and the trees are no longer keeping me warm, the wind is so strong that it penetrates every layer I wear. It feels like I’ve entered a different world, a different ecosystem altogether. The temperature drops instantly, and all the warmth I gained through the climb disappears.

The only thing that keeps me standing, embracing my shivering body, is the breathtaking view in front of me. The fresh layer of snow from last night covers the dark granite mountains, creating the contrast I so love to witness. Lake Bierstadt is solidly frozen, sealing the life beneath the ice.

It is time to turn around and return to my trees; my shelter. Next time, I need to come even more prepared. My short time at the lake is too short for my soul.

Navigating my way back is easier as I follow my own footsteps, the only footsteps except for a small creature moving ahead of me.

Another week, another day off to hike.

All night, a gentle snowfall covers the mountains around me. I look forward to seeing my mountains in their white coats. It’s magical.

I head to the park again, Rocky Mountain National Park. My hike for today is to Mills Lake via the Glacier Gorge Trail. However, as I drive higher in elevation, the condition of the road becomes unsettling with so much ice. As I approach the parking lot, heavy snow begins to fall. It’s time to play it safe and return to the Y.

There are many trails I can take from the YMCA property. One trail I hiked often in the summer, during my morning walks, was along Glacier Creek.

It would be wonderful to visit an old friend and experience its beauty in a different season. By now, the snow follows me to the Y, but not enough to stop me from hiking. The creek still has a gentle flow before, I assume, it will freeze and take its winter rest.

Another new day in the Rockies.

But this time, my mountains are nowhere to be found. The heavy clouds cover my landscape, fooling me into thinking it was all my imagination…