Slow and Steady to Awe and Beauty, RMNP, CO

My heart is happy, like a little kid excited about their favorite activity.

After reading the reviews on AllTrails saying the parking lot for Chasm Lake fills by 4:30 a.m., I decided I had better spend the night there and secure a spot for my early morning hike.

Sleeping in my own bed just feels wonderful.

You might wonder why I do not just sleep in my van every night while working at the Y. Well, as I have mentioned many times, everything takes so much longer living in my minivan - three to four times longer. It is one thing to live in my van while I am traveling and have the luxury of time. Taking my mornings at an easy pace is a privilege I like to give myself. But when I am on a tight schedule, like getting to work, every minute counts.

I arrived at the parking lot around 6:30 in the evening. There were plenty of spots, so I drove to the end to find my corner. Yes! The last spot was available! My little semi-private nook for the night. I could tell others had the same idea. There were no signs saying no overnight parking, as many people leave their cars here for multi-day backpacking trips.

I unpacked my camping chair and sat to enjoy the sky above me. The floating clouds are like art in motion. A book in hand and the sound of the nearby stream made it a perfect evening.

I set my alarm for 4:00 a.m

Until the morning—sweet dreams.

Good morning, shining stars and smiling moon.

As fast as I try to be, it still takes me 1 hour and 15 minutes to make breakfast, prep sandwiches, and wash up.

By 5:15 A.M., I am on the trail.

The sun will rise in about 15 minutes, but there is already enough light to start without a headlamp.

The trail begins among towering pines, which obscure the full sunrise, but here and there, I catch a glimpse of the warm colors of a new day. It is simply a reward for getting up so early.

The hike is rated hard, so I settle into a slow and steady pace. After about three miles of steady climbing through the forest, I emerge above the treeline.

By now, the sun is strong, and the high elevation is getting to me. I find that anytime I pass 11,000 feet, my body struggles more. I make sure to drink plenty of water and keep going.

The trail is well maintained, although again, it feels more suited for tall people. :)

Slow and steady wins the race…

Chasm Lake rests at approximately 11,800 feet in elevation.

The open alpine landscape is spectacular! Longs Peak, at 14,259 feet, rises above everything, dominating the range. I find a rock to rest on and eat while admiring the beauty and texture of this giant mountain.

Time to move on. As I continue climbing, the trail curves and surprises me with a waterfall—Columbine Falls—cascading in the distance.Raw beauty. What a sight!

I already knew the final stretch to the lake would require a bit of scrambling. And yes, I do enjoy a good challenge. I prepare to be a mountain goat—but in a fun way. :)

Then, without warning… Chasm Lake comes into view. Honestly, it should be called Surprise Lake.

Wow! A lake framed by towering glacial peaks, an awe-inspiring beauty. So peaceful and still. After four hours of steady climbing, it is a reward well worth the effort.

It is only a bit after 9 A.M., but the sun feels so strong. That is the thing about hiking at high elevations - you are literally closer to the sun, and you can feel her strength. That is another reason I start early. Without clouds to soften the rays, the sun can be too much for me and take away from the joy.

What goes up must come down. :)

Wanting to avoid the heat, I hike down at a much faster pace, making it in half the time.

Overall, AllTrails shows I hiked 9.3 miles and gained 2,575 feet. Yes, it was a hard hike, but well worth it.

This week, I only have time for one hike, as I have started spending my days off in the glass fusion studio, creating love with colorful glass.