Way back in June, Ariel and I went camping with Truth (Kevin) and Nicole. Rainbow Lakes Campground opened June 17 and we were trying to get a site on June 17. I ran up there at 8am and there was already a line of cars waiting. Dang. Long story short, I managed to get a site, set up a tent, and drive back to Boulder. After work we all drove up and got settled in and made dinner.

Cast iron skillet cornbread

Reading up on Moose

Cornbread

Camp chili and cornbread

Full moon through the trees

The night sky above camp

Camp breakfast

I didn’t take a million photos of everything, but on Saturday after breakfast we decided to do a hike. The Arapaho Glacier Overlook Trail starts right at the campground (as does the Rainbow Lakes Trail). We agreed to just hike above tree line to get some good views rather than committing to the full 12 mile round trip hike.

Snowfield at tree line

Snow erosion

Crossing the snow field

We had no idea where the trail went through the snow. So we picked a spot up ahead and just went for it, trying to avoid falling into the soft spots…

Ariel fell in!

Wildflowers on the tundra

Looking toward Arapaho Glacier and Boulder’s water supply

Alpine Sunflowers

No access into the Boulder City Water Supply

Looking South/Southeast. Rainbow Lakes in the foreground

Adding to a cairn

Ariel and Nicole up ahead

Back in the snowfield

Big ole trees

We met up with Ed and Bryn right when we got back to camp. They were just about to leave after hiking to the lakes when I saw them.

After lunch and hangin out, I wanted to do the short hike up the lakes and fish. I went up alone and the rest of the group was supposed to meet me. But they somehow managed to get lost and never made it.

Snowshoe Hare in the middle of changing to Summer colors

Rainbow Lakes Trail

Rainbow Lakes Brook Trout

One of the Rainbow Lakes

Another Lake

Back at Dinner

Great campfire to end the weekend

We woke up Sunday to lots of wind and all the pine trees above 9k feet deciding to release all of their pollen at once. So it was time to pack up and head back down to Boulder.