Maybe my last post ever!

These posts are going to really get out of order now.

We are back in Rocky Mountain National Park today, Sept. 6th and I need to let you all know what is about to take place - just in case.. well you know….

It's Labor Day weekend and Estes Park and RMNP are packed.  You can barely move down the street.

However, we've decided to finally do a little back-country hike in RMNP.  Two nights, three days in the WILDERNESS!  ALONE!  BEARS are everywhere!  The ranger at the backcountry office said a mountain lion was just recently sighted on the trail we're taking!

Therefore, this may be the last post I ever write!  If we get eaten by a bear I would like to bequeath my worthless dog and all her remaining vet bills to.... anyone who will take her (Maybe Ricardo who needs another dog, or my young Marine Biologist colleague Courtney who just adores Zoe, or Emily who needs a dog friend for her cats, or Bren who has enough kids, but not enough pets).  Ya’ll will have to fight amongst yourselves for this honor, oh,  and you'll have to pick her up at the kennel in Estes Park and pay the bill for boarding and food...   :-O

We're going to try and take it easy on ourselves and do a total of 20 to 30 miles over 3 days  (All of the sudden that doesn’t sound easy   %/   ).

Monday, Sept 7:  Big day.  10 miles from Tonahutu North Inlet trailhead to July campsite.  All uphill!!  (red line on picture)

Tuesday, Sept 8:  Easy day.  Hike to some nearby alpine lakes.  Lake Nokoni and Lake Nanita.  Hike back down the trail towards the trailhead, spend night at Porcupine campsite.   (blue line)

Wednesday, Sept 9:  Hike out to trailhead.  About 7 miles… downhill.  (green line)

I’m writing this Sunday evening and will schedule it to post Monday afternoon.  By the time you read this we may have already turned back and headed to the car or been eaten by a bear!  :-)

OK - I’ve got to get my backpack packed up and see how much food I can leave behind ( I may have over estimated the amount of food I need… nah!).

Here are our rental packs - not packed yet.

Guess who gets to carry the bigger one?  That’s right!  She can handle it! She’s a “marathoner”!