Devil's Backbone

[JimFox]

This is an area in Loveland Colorado (what a great place for the Devil to reside) that is just to the East of Estes Park and the beginning of Rocky Mountain National Park for most people.

I had wanted to go trail run up to Gem Lake in RMNP, but ended up running late having played too much with the Grandkids. I could have made it to Gem Lake and ran up to it, but it would have been right at dark and I wanted to be able to photograph too. So I opted for Devil's Backbone, a cool area with a very spine like looking lava dike I think it is. Doug will know better.

It was a pretty cool evening, not only did I get to run, but I got to take some photos of a pretty sweet sunset.

All comments are welcome,

Jim

 

[Douglas Sherman]

This is an area in Loveland Colorado (what a great place for the Devil to reside) that is just to the East of Estes Park and the beginning of Rocky Mountain National Park for most people.

I had wanted to go trail run up to Gem Lake in RMNP, but ended up running late having played too much with the Grandkids. I could have made it to Gem Lake and ran up to it, but it would have been right at dark and I wanted to be able to photograph too. So I opted for Devil's Backbone, a cool area with a very spine like looking lava dike I think it is. Doug will know better.

It was a pretty cool evening, not only did I get to run, but I got to take some photos of a pretty sweet sunset.

All comments are welcome,

Jim

View attachment 30024

Pretty, Jim and you are absolutely right about the dike.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Great sunset Jim, good place to run it looks like.

 

[AlanLichty]

A very nice sunset indeed. Looks like a neat place to shoot one from too.

 

[ckcarr]

Nice image. I was expecting more highway 12 for some reason!

That's a flashback to the past. Back when I lived in Loveland, somewhere in 1992-1995 or so, I'd ride my bike around there somewhere. Or, maybe it was Marianna Butte..

 

[MonikaC]

A good sky, Jim.
I've never been all that photographically impressed with Gem Lake, but it's a good, steep run.

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Nice sunset to go with an interesting hillside. Strange name and not sure about the fascination with the name Devil in so many places.

 

[Amy Earl]

Wow, stunning area! Nice capture, Jim. I've never done any hiking in Colorado.

 

[JimFox]

Nice image. I was expecting more highway 12 for some reason!

That's a flashback to the past. Back when I lived in Loveland, somewhere in 1992-1995 or so, I'd ride my bike around there somewhere. Or, maybe it was Marianna Butte..

Thanks so much Craig!

It does have a name of an area one would expect to see on Hwy 12.

That's interesting, I had no idea you had lived in Loveland. How funny!

 

[JimFox]

A good sky, Jim.
I've never been all that photographically impressed with Gem Lake, but it's a good, steep run.

Thanks Monika!

I haven't been to Gem lake before, but the photos I have seen of it do not impress me very much, so I understand what you are saying. My main purpose would be for the running, being steep is a great bonus, and being able to see some place new to me will be an even greater bonus.

So, Gem Lake is still on the list, I need to get the rundown from my Daughter on the weeks activities with the grandkids and see where I can squeeze in a trip there still.

 

[MonikaC]

Thanks Monika!

I haven't been to Gem lake before, but the photos I have seen of it do not impress me very much, so I understand what you are saying. My main purpose would be for the running, being steep is a great bonus, and being able to see some place new to me will be an even greater bonus.

So, Gem Lake is still on the list, I need to get the rundown from my Daughter on the weeks activities with the grandkids and see where I can squeeze in a trip there still.

You can do a nice loop run around Lumpy Ridge. I always went c-cl, starting with Gem Lake (to get it out of the way 1st -- well, one time I went the other way). It's: Gem Lake to Cow Creek Trail, turn left & follow the trail as it switchbacks up after about 2 miles. Keep an eye out for the left around the top to bring you around in front of the climbing crags and mostly easy to rolling terrain back to the parking lot. You can take a side trip off the Cow Creek trail to Bridalveil falls if you want to add some miles.

 

[JimFox]

You can do a nice loop run around Lumpy Ridge. I always went c-cl, starting with Gem Lake (to get it out of the way 1st -- well, one time I went the other way). It's: Gem Lake to Cow Creek Trail, turn left & follow the trail as it switchbacks up after about 2 miles. Keep an eye out for the left around the top to bring you around in front of the climbing crags and mostly easy to rolling terrain back to the parking lot. You can take a side trip off the Cow Creek trail to Bridalveil falls if you want to add some miles.

Thanks for the tips and ideas Monika! They are greatly appreciated.

 

[Nilo Photography]

Amazing sunset.