Day 11
After breakfast at the hotel Bistro we set off for the Lake Isabelle trail head. Stopped at Target to pick up more water and some snacks before we left Boulder. Unfortunately we did not stop for petrol, thinking we could get some when we reached Ward.
The views as we ascended into the mountains were lovely. We reached Ward to find it was tiny and had no petrol station. The nearest one was in Nederland, 13 miles in the wrong direction. Rob made the executive decision that we should not risk driving to the trail head and back before filling up, so we made the 26 mile round trip to get petrol.
At the Brainard Lake Recreation Area gate post, a ranger told us that the trail to Isabelle Lake was open but there was still a lot of snow. She wasn't kidding! We made the 2-miles-each-way hike from the trail head and, at one point, found ourselves traversing about 100 feet across a steep snowfield! At one point we lost the trail but, fortunately, we persevered because the views once we reached the lake were spectacular. It was everything I had hoped the Rocky Mountains would be.
On the way back, Helen and David decided they would try to "sled" down the snowfield on their waterproof jackets. This was quite hazardous because, at various points, the snow was undercut by streams and rocks. Unfortunately for Helen she went careering off the edge of the snowfield into one of said streams. Rob and I had a moment of panic as she disappeared from view and we wondered if she would get swept under the snow. It was a relief when we heard crying. When we reached her she was standing by the icy stream with soaking wet shorts, socks and trainers. She had stopped crying. Fortunately she had not hurt herself, only suffered some shock. Later David asked her if she had been crying or laughing. She replied: "Well, I cried at first but then I thought "What the heck. I'm not hurt"! She also later said "I can't think of anything more exciting than falling in the stream"!
By the time we got back to the car it was already about 6.00 p.m. and there were storms about. We decided to not drive the 35 miles to Estes Park but, instead, went back to Pearl St. Mall for some dinner. Helen had to wear a pair of David's shorts.
The kids watched some more street performers and then we went back to the hotel.