LOVELAND MOUNTAIN CLUB
PO BOX 983, LOVELAND, CO 80539
www.LovelandMountainClub.org
Vol. 40, #12: February, 2017
Melanie Pennington, editor ([email protected])
President’s Message
Over the 39 years of the club’s outings, we’ve climbed many of the 138 named summits you can see from
Loveland, including most of the 26 summits in the Mummy Range in Rocky Mountain National Park. For
those who aren’t familiar with these beautiful peaks, here’s an annotated panorama of the view from
Loveland, to introduce you on a first name basis. I’ll post this panorama on the club’s Facebook page if
you’d like to download it.
Happy Trails … Jim
1
Club Meetings:
Please note that the February and March Club Meetings will be held at a
different location than normal.
February Program:
Monday, February 6, 2017, 6:30-8:00 PM, in the Foundations Church, 1380 Denver Avenue,
Loveland, Colorado.
Loveland Mountain Club Anniversary Celebration Potluck Dinner: Please join us for an
informal evening of sharing food, outdoor adventure stories, and anything about hiking. Bring
some food to share (anything from appetizers to entrees; desserts were spoken for in the January
meeting) and your own plates and utensils. Coffee and water will be available, but feel free to
bring your own non-alcoholic beverage.
March Program:
Monday, March 6: 7:00-8:00 PM, in the Foundations Church, 1380 Denver Avenue,
Loveland, Colorado. Nolan Doesken will talk about Colorado weather, maybe “Crazy Climatic
Characteristics of the Colorado Rockies”
April Program: TBA
May Program: Mountain Club Members’ Favorite Hikes
Mountain club members are again invited to share pictures and descriptions of their favorite
hikes with other members at the club meeting on May 1, 2017.
We have all hiked (or trekked, or rafted, or biked, etc.) in many places beyond the Front Range
as well as in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you choose to present adventures from
destinations in Rocky, please select those that are unusual and that most of us won’t have seen.
As before, also consider your outings in other areas in Colorado, other states, or even other
countries, like Canada or Europe, or even farther afield.
Each member will be allotted 7-8 minutes, with a recommendation to limit the number of images
to no more than 25. Time limits will be strictly enforced! Presenters will be invited to describe
their hike and pictures; if desired, pictures may be captioned and no public speaking need be
done.
First come, first served; preference will be given to members who did not present in either of the
first two programs, but all are welcome to submit images. Notify Doug Moore
([email protected]) that you plan to present some pictures; they should then be sent or
brought to him by April 10. All pictures will be mounted in PowerPoint on his laptop and
advanced by him or the speaker.
Notes and Announcements:
Jim Disney gave an inspiring presentation at the January club meeting that highlighted his talents
of mountaineering and landscape painting. He had just returned from his trip to New Zealand
and I for one am looking forward to seeing some of his photos from that trip! Thanks very much
Jim for sharing your amazing stories and artwork with us and for doing it all while still having jet
lag.
2
I received so many nice comments and thanks for my first newsletter and I just wanted to let you
all know how much I appreciated all your comments. I would ask that if you want to send a
comment or suggestion to me please send it to [email protected]. Please do not reply to
the newsletter e-mail address as I don’t regularly check it.
Bob and I did our first club hike with Ted Hartman on the Wathen Trail and it was a wonderful
experience getting to know some of you and learning about winter hiking! We are looking
forward to many more hikes with you.
Melanie Pennington, editor
Special Thanks to our January Hike Leaders:
Douglas Baxter, Reedy Porter, Kathy Langan, Jane Davis, Ted Hartman, Ruth Hartman, and
Steve Bergstrand volunteered their time and expertise to lead hikes in January. Our sincere
gratitude is offered to all these wonderful people.
A big THANK YOU to our Hike Coordinators.
These exemplary volunteers work with hike leaders to plan your hikes for the weekdays and
weekends each month. Thank you for all that you do!
Weekend Hike Coordinator for February – Lynne Niemeyer 309-824-5790
Tuesday Coordinators - Ed Ogle or Sally Hartshorn 970-231-7378
Thursday Coordinator – Ted and Ruth Hartman 970-292-8431
Hello Hikers! This is IMPORTANT; Read and Heed!! If you want to participate
in an LMC hike you must contact the trip leader prior to the hike to sign up. Consult with the
trip leader for information on departure time and place, trip difficulty, and any specialty gear you
might need for the hike. For the safety of all participants, the trip leader reserves the right to
decline a request to participate in a hike. Loveland Mountain Club welcomes non-members to
join us for any of the hikes we offer. Membership is encouraged after two hikes. Visit
www.lovelandmountainclub.org for more information about club activities and membership.
Hike Offerings
Sat 1/21; Hallett Peak:
Class B/C hike, 10.2 miles round trip with 3200 feet elevation gain – difficulty of hike will
depend on snow conditions. Contact Douglas at 970-672-7629 or [email protected]
Sun 1/22; No hike scheduled. If you can lead a hike on this date, please call Steve
Bergstrand at 970-292-8804.
Tues 1/24; Hewlett Gulch:
From the trailhead in Poudre Canyon off highway 14, this easy hike starts at just 5680.' The loop
is about 7.6 miles round trip with 420' of net elevation gain. This hike involves stepping stones
3
across the creek multiple times. Bring hiking poles. Call Steve at 970-292-8804 for meeting
time and place. Ride share $5.
Thu 1/26; Bobcat Ridge:
This is an easy A hike on the Valley View Trail in Masonville. My plan is to make this a lollipop
loop to visit both the old homestead, where we will have lunch, then returning to view the tipi
rings on the way back. Traction devices will probably be needed and maybe snowshoes. Hike is
less than 500 feet of elevation and of about 5 miles. Contact Reedy for further information at
970-532-0413.
Sat 1/28; Sandbeach Lake Snowshoe:
In the Wild Basin of RMNP, 8.4 miles and 1943’ of elevation gain. This lake is nestled at
10,283’ in the shadow of Mt. Meeker. Call Steve Bergstrand at 970-292-8804 for meeting time
and place.
Sun 1/29; Button Rock and Dome Rock:
This 6.25 mile round trip hike is in the Button Rock Preserve. There will be about 1700 feet of
elevation gain and accessing either Rock will be dependent on the weather. Snowshoes will
likely be needed. Ride share $6. Call Jane D at 970-667-6149 for details.
Tues 1/31; No hike scheduled. If you can lead a hike on this date, please call Ed Ogle or
Sally Hartshorn 970-231-7378.
Thu 2/2; Thursday Hike Planning Meeting:
Ted and Ruth Hartman will be hosting a meeting on February 2 at 9:30 a.m. to plan the
remaining Tuesday and Thursday hikes for 2017. These meetings are fun and low key gettogethers, with no pressure applied.
Even if your schedule only allows you to lead one or two hikes, we encourage you to come to
our planning meeting for 2017. We will have a potluck lunch after the business portion of the
meeting is complete.
Your willingness to lead hikes is essential to our club’s vitality!
Call Ted or Ruth at 970-292-8431 or email [email protected]. Let us know if you are
coming and what food you will be bringing.
Sat 2/4; The Loch:
This is one of the prettiest snowshoe hikes in RMNP. From the Glacier Gorge Trailhead we will
hike past Alberta Falls and up the Loch Vale to the frozen lake, 5.4 miles roundtrip. This hike on
snowshoes is rated easy to moderate, with an elevation gain of 940 feet to 10,180’. If the weather
4
is nice we may continue for another mile to Timberline Falls. Call Steve at 970-292-8804 for
meeting time and place.
Sun 2/5; No hike scheduled. If you can lead a hike on this date, please call Steve
Bergstrand at 970-292-8804.
Tue 2/7; Finch Lake Trail:
This will be a timed, out and back hike, along the Finch Lake Trail in Wild Basin. There will be
nice views along the way, and we will be hiking for a total of 4 hours. It will be a class A hike
done at a casual pace. Traction devices or snowshoes will probably be needed. Please call the
leader, Ted H. before February 6 for details at 970-292-8431.
Thu 2/9; Carter Lake:
This hike will be on the Sundance Trail on the west side of Carter Lake for about 6 miles. It’s an
easy ‘A’ hike and the terrain is just rolling with little elevation change. We’ll start at the south
side of Carter Lake and have lunch on the north side. Bring traction devices and your dog, if you
so wish. A Larimer County Parks Permit or a $7.00 entry fee per vehicle is required and will be
repaid to the driver in addition to regular car pool costs. Call Reedy for details, 970-532-0413. Saturday February 11; Snowshoe trip to Lake Haiyaha:
The roundtrip distance is about 5 mi. with 1200’ EG, rated A/B. This is primarily an off trail hike
which makes it a little more difficult but the scenery at the Lake is worth the extra effort. Group
is limited 12 people. We will leave Kmart at 8:30am and expect to return at 4-5pm. Rideshare of
$5. Contact Ron Tuttle at 970-667-4479 or by email at [email protected].
Sunday, February 12: Boulder Brook Trail:
This snowshoe hike will leave from the Storm Pass parking area on Bear Lake Road. Once we
reach the Boulder Brook Trail, we will hike parallel to Boulder Brook until we reach the North
Long's Peak trail. This hike will be about 6 miles in length and about 1600 feet of elevation
gain. Call Jane Davis for more details at 260-413-2686.
Tuesday 2/14; No Hike Scheduled. If you can lead a hike on this date, please call Ed
Ogle at 970-231-7378.
Thu 2/16; Boyd Lake Flatlander Hike:
This will be a 90 minute afternoon hike along Boyd Lake followed by cool down and
recuperation at the award winning Grimm Brothers Brewery Tap Room on Denver Ave. Call
Steve at 970-292-8804.
Saturday February 18; Wild Basin snowshoe loop:
Class B Hike 6 mile round trip with 800 feet elevation gain, from the Wild Basin winter TH hike
5
to Calypso Cascades and return via the Allenspark trail to the winter TH . Contact Douglas at
970 672 7629 or [email protected].
Sunday February 19: No hike scheduled. If you can lead a hike on this date, please
call Steve Bergstrand at 970-292-8804
Tue 2/21; Dream Lake Overlook:
Class A snowshoe to the Dream Lake Overlook. From Bear Lake take the Flattop Mtn. trail to
the Overlook for a great view of Tyndall Gorge and the lake. 4 miles roundtrip and 1000’ of
elevation gain. The pace will be casual. Email Ron T. at [email protected] or call at 970-6674479 for details.
Wed 2/22; Weekend Hikes Planning Meeting:
Leaders needed for about 48 warm weather hikes in April through
September. Please save the date for this meeting followed by lunch. Call Steve
Bergstrand at 970-292-8804 or email [email protected] for
details. Thu 2/23; Bierstadt Lake:
Starting at the trailhead on Bear Lake Road near the Park and Ride, this hike will be about 3
miles round trip with only about 556 feet (8860' to 9416') of climbing. Outstanding views of the
Continental Divide. Bring spikes and snowshoes - we will decide at the trailhead. We'll stop for
hot drinks in Estes Park after. $5 ride share. Call Steve at 970-292-8804.
Saturday February 25; Hidden Falls:
This will be a Class A, casually paced snowshoe hike in Wild Basin and will be approximately
2.5 miles round trip. It is an excellent beginning level snowshoe hike with a rewarding view of
Hidden Falls. This 100 foot, frozen waterfall is formed from a seep as snow melts and freezes,
forming an ice column that is enjoyed by technical ice climbers. There will be approximately
150' of elevation gain. Call Ruth or Ted at 970-292-8431 for details. Sunday February 26: No hike scheduled. If you can lead a hike on this date, please call
Steve Bergstrand at 970-292-8804
Tuesday Feb. 28th; Rabbit Mountain Open Space: There are three separate trails in the Rabbit Mountain Open Space that offer a little over 6 miles
of easy hiking if we do all three. Depending on trail and weather conditions we'll make that call
when we're there. There isn't a water source so bring whatever you need to drink. This hike is
rated A, with less than 800 feet of elevation gain. Contact Jim D. at [email protected]
for details.
Thu 3/2; Mystery Hike:
Call Rudy S. for more information at 970-613-9707.
Saturday March 4; Rabbit Ears: 6
This will be a 3 mile round trip hike and will include some bushwhacking with 500 feet of
elevation gain. The Rabbit Ears are two distinctive granite blocks which can be seen from the
Cow Creek Trail. We will hike down the Cow Creek trail for a while and then bushwhack
through the forest up to the formations. This will be a class A+ hike because of the
bushwhacking, and is suitable for hikers just getting into bushwhacking. Traction devices may be
required. Call Ted at 970-292-8431 for more information.
Sunday March 5; Sky Pond:
Class B Hike 9.0 mile round trip with 1,800 feet elevation gain, one of the special places in
RMNP, majestic cirque with Taylor and Powell Peaks and Cathedral Spires. Contact Douglas
970 672 7629 or [email protected]. mailto:[email protected]
Hike Leaders: Please call the RMNP Backcountry Office at 586-1242 and report
any changes in trail conditions after your hike. They have requested our help as
they cannot cover the hundreds of miles of trails. Also call this number the day
before your hike for the latest road, trail and weather conditions at the Park.

Names of Nature
By Barbara Jones
What’s in a name? The Bird Lakes of Wild Basin
Black Capped Rosy Finch
Finch Lake
At 9,912 feet elevation, Finch Lake is Wild Basin’s lowest-elevation lake (aside from Copeland
Lake, which is along the road). Located near Cony Creek, Finch Lake is unique in that it has no
permanent inlet or outlet. But how did it get its name? Many of the features in Wild Basin were
named by Dr. William S. Cooper during a 1908 trip into this “Land of Many Waters” that is
drained by North St. Vrain Creek. While we know he was responsible for naming many lakes
and waterfalls after birds and flowers, we do not know for certain if Finch Lake was one of them.
And which finch would he have had in mind?
The House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) can be found year round at the lower altitudes of the
Estes Valley. The Cassin’s Finch (Carpodacus cassinii) is the mostly likely to be seen at Finch
Lake, and can be seen in Wild Basin year round in the Ponderosa forests. The Brown-capped
Rosy-Finch (Leucosticte australis), found only in Colorado and New Mexico, nests in cliffs
above timberline and winters in the foothills. This species is a draw for bird watchers who
7
sometimes come to Colorado just to see this native. (Read “The Big Year” by Mark Obmascik or
see the movie.) The Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (Leucosticte tephrocotis) and the Black RosyFinch (Leucosticte atrata) are rare winter finds in the valley. All these finches feed on seeds and
insects and will frequent bird feeders. Keep an eye out for theses finches on your winter hikes!
References:
High Country Names: Rocky Mountain National Park and Indian Peaks by Louisa Ward Arps
and Elinor Eppich Kingery
Birding Rocky Mountain National Park by Scott Roederer
Rocky Mountain National Park: The Complete Hiking Guide by Lisa Foster

Interested in posting your "Club Hike" pictures to the club Facebook page?
Please forward your pictures to Dick Lottes at [email protected] or Steve Bergstrand at
[email protected] prior to the end of the day following the day of the hike. The
number of pictures posted to Facebook is limited to 10 so the possibility exists that all your
pictures will not be posted. Request you do not annotate your pictures, please? Visit our
Facebook page Loveland-Mountain-Club to see photos from recent hikes.
Check out the Loveland Mountain Club website for more information about the club:
www.lovelanmountainclub.org
8