I hiked up to Ouzel Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park yesterday with our little hiking group. Due to the snow levels, we had to park a mile from this sign which is at the Ranger station. So the hike ended up about 3.7 miles one way. We gained about 1,000 ft. in elevation.
Many of us brought our snowshoes for the hike but quickly realized that the trail was pretty hard packed and we could just walk up it in our hiking boots, which is what we did. You didn't want to step off the side of the trail however, because you'd post hole up to your knees!
When we started the hike it was pretty windy and very cold, but as we got higher and into the timber, it warmed up, the sun came out, and I took off my hood and unbuttoned my coat. Nothing like a winter hike in the high Colorado Rockies!
Along the way we crossed a series of beautiful bridges. We stopped to eat at this one right below the falls. If you go a few miles farther along the trail, you'll come to Ouzel Lake. I think I'll come back here in the summer this year if time permits. It's a two hour drive from Denver but really nice.
Just a few hundred yards past the falls we decided to pose for a group photo. That's Longs Peak behind us.
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