Alberta Falls (snowshoeing)

Recent Hikes: Alberta Falls (snowshoeing)

11/18/96 - Snowshoeing to Alberta Falls (and beyond) with Tony & Karen.
11/21/96 - Again!

While my son Tony and his friend Karen were here, we decided to give snowshoeing a try. The week before, we'd hiked up to Emerald Lake and the trail was totally snow covered, but pretty well packed. Then a few days later we walked around Bear Lake in about 18" of snow. We saw quite a few people on snowshoes and it looked like fun.

We rented snowshoes in Estes (after a 30 second "lesson") and headed in to Rocky Mountain National Park. Though it was raining in town, by the time we got to the Glacier Gorge trail head (~9200ft) it was snowing pretty hard and was about 30 degrees. We put our snowshoes on (Mike and Tony had a Tubbs model and Karen had a Redfeather brand) and got onto the trail which had about 15" of mostly fresh snow on it.

You just walk! It was so easy and natural. The snowshoes are very light and you just float on top of the snow. We were quite amazed at how easy and fun it was. We hiked all the way up to Alberta Falls, which of course was frozen solid. Though I've been to the Falls several times, it was the first time I stood there without hearing the rushing water. We walked up the snow-covered rocks to the right of the falls. After a few minutes, we went on up beyond the Falls, just enjoying the beauty and solitude. We went as far as the trail junction where you can go to the Boulderfield or on to Mills Lake and the Loch. We stood there for a few minutes and munched on some chocolate chip cookies, then headed back down. It snowed on us (probably an inch an hour) the whole time, and we only saw one other person (also on shoeshoes) the whole time we were out.

We weren't sore, it was easy on the legs and knees, and it's probably easier than hiking. The whole experience was really great and one I want to repeat often! I think I can see myself owning a pair of snowshoes!

11/21/96 - Went snowshoeing again. Conditions were not as good as the first time; more crunchy/packed snow. Had a nice little picnic of hot coffee, warm runzas, and Russian Tea cookies.

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