A photography blog, specializing in the beautiful Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak region.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Palmer Reservoirs, Dry Winter
Normally I can't hike here in the winter as I don't like climbing trails in the snow. But it's been so dry this year that I went up to the reservoirs just west of Palmer Lake last weekend. I'm usually up here in summer so the frozen reservoir was a nice change. It wasn't very cold, despite how this photo looks.
The trail had no snow, which is remarkable for this time of year. But it made for a pretty hike.
I was wearing my new GPS watch which tracks exactly where I hike including elevation, and uploads it to a web site. Here's a screen capture, and you can see on the blue line that I started near 7,200 feet above sea level (2,195 meters), topped out just below 7,900 feet above sea level (2,408 meters), and climbed back down again, all in 1.75 miles (2.8 km). For this area, that's an easy, low-elevation hike.
I'm linking this with Our World Tuesday. And since Tina's PicStory has the theme of "L" this week, I'm linking it there too (there is a frozen Lake in the first photo).
What a beautiful place, Al, and such a gorgeous day! Perfect for a great walk! Love your captures! Did Socks go with you? Might have been a little too much for him! The GPS watch sounds fantastic!! Hope you have a good week!
ReplyDeleteIt has been a dry winter in IL too. I just shoveled the driveway yesterday for the first time...we are expected to get another 3" or so tonight...and then it will all melt again.
ReplyDeleteHope you are liking the watch. My husband got a relatively good deal on one the day after Thanksgiving, and it is a fun toy!
What a lovely hike it must have been. I have never heard of a GPS watch – it might have kept us from getting lost in Venice, but maybe not…
ReplyDeleteHi Al...That is quite the gadget you have to give you all that
ReplyDeleteinfo..; ) Just boggles the mind what there is now that not to far back was not even thought off!!
Looks like so nice places to hike ..no snakes???
Grace
We need more snow even though I dislike driving in it to get to school. The new watch sounds like a fun piece! Maybe my SIL would like one.♥♫
ReplyDeleteHey, Al.. that is one very high place me ol mate.. Want to swap with a very cold and windy beach :-) xxx
ReplyDeletewonderful pics :)
ReplyDeleteWe had a dry summer, but this fall had rain, now plenty of snow. Your hike still looks like more of an uphill climb than I'd like.
ReplyDeletegreat job!
Beautiful winter shots!
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots. The frozen reservoir looks great.
ReplyDeleteGreat area,but where is the snow? Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteLooks like it was a fun hike. The sun cast such an interesting light on the icy water giving the reservoir a nice mysterious look.
ReplyDeletethat gps watch is a fancy gadget. no snow on the paths, that's unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteLove your first shot! A GPS watch, now that is what I need! (because I always get lost, so when we're in the mountains it's hubby who comes to me, not the other way around:) )
ReplyDeleteA pretty place for a hike! Cool having the GPS watch, they have so many neat gadgets out nowadays. Pretty shots!
ReplyDeleteSounds like quite a hike with those elevations. So picturesque and what blue skies!
ReplyDeleteHi Al
ReplyDeleteI heard Colorado is suffering from too little snow this year, but I also heard the snowiest month is March! A GPS watch is a cool gadget fro a hiker to have.
This is a beautiful spot Al and great pictures. The skies are so perfectly blue...it's heavenly!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of that watch too! That's really neat. Some times I get caught up wandering on the back roads around here hunting birds and get lost.
I'll have to check into that watch! Thanks for sharing your great hike with us!
I hope you have a great week filled with blue skies!
Liked :)
ReplyDeleteMormor
http://www.starbear.no/mormor/2013/02/05/l-for-light/
The lake is beautiful with the sun reflecting off the water. We haven't had much snow this year either.
ReplyDeletethanx for linking your wonderful lake to us! this pic was my fave :)
ReplyDeleteHello Al,
ReplyDeletelove your pictures, great landscape, wonderful walk!
Wish you a nice day,
moni
The Rockies are beautiful with an attractive rugged quality. Icy waters sure feel cold even in a warmer (relatively) winter. I'd have to become acclimated to the altitude as I am only about 420 ft ASL so it would take some time. However, I could could enjoy the beauty as I adjusted to any oxygen deprivation...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots!
ReplyDeleteI suppose a dry winter is very bad in the long run, but it sure was a great hike for you for this time of year; beautiful picture. The GPS watch graph certainly tells the story of hiking in Colorado!
ReplyDeleteThat frozen lake looks amazing! Must be a good hike.
ReplyDelete