RMNP - The Pool (Birthday hike with DW)

My wife is not a big hiker, but she will go occasionally.  So, on her birthday, she let me take her to RMNP.  Originally, we had planned to head to Dream or Emerald Lake, but by the time we got to the park, it looked like they were at capacity and turning back cars from that area.  RMNP has seen an explosion of visitors in the last couple of years.  As a consolation prize we tackled the trail to the Pool from the Fern Lake TH.

This is a really nice, popular trail that follows the Big Thompson River as it comes down from the mountain.  There is not much elevation gain, but some very nice rock formations and a good forest walk. You are rewarded with a bridge crossing just below a small waterfall and slow spot called 'The Pool'.

 My wife is a quite the photographer, so she spent alot of time behind the camera.  It was really nice to hike with my wife.

Checking out the picture

The Pool at the end of the trail

A well deserved break

Ah!  The truck at last!

Overall Track Statistics for RMNP - The Pool w-Julie,    614 data points

 Length 4.783 miles  :  Garmin Length 5.111 miles

 Start Elevation - 8124.87 feet

 Maximum Elevation - 8327.53 feet

 Minimum Elevation - 8096.82 feet

 Date of Hike - Jul 19, 2016

 Start Time - 11:26 AM

 End Time - 01:52 PM

 Total Duration -     2:25 hours:min

 Total Ascent - 543.18 feet

 Total Descent - 570.11 feet

 Net Ascent - -26.94 feet

 Maximum Grade -  7.19%

 Average Speed -  1.97 mph :  Garmin Average Speed  2.10 mph

 Maximum Ascent over Mile - 236.48 feet

 Maximum Speed over Mile -  2.63 mph

 Maximum Gain over Mile (%) -  2.87%