Granite Ridge
It's finally not the hottest month anymore, so I think it's time we get back into doing some hiking. Don't get me wrong, it's still pretty hot in September, but it wasn't nearly as bad as it would have been last month hiking in the Red Feather Lakes Area. We picked this hike out based on it being in our current skill level and because literally everywhere else has adopted a really terrible timed entry system that's ruining one of the great benefits of living in Colorado - being able to go into the mountains whenever I feel like it and not having to worry about making a reservation.
But I digress, This hike was an alright hike that was a little over 6 miles but under 1,000 feet in elevation gain. I was hoping for better views but there were trees in the way for most of the shots. The trail that we picked didn't have a defining ending point, we just wandered in and ended up making a loop out of the hike by taking Lady Moon trail South until it met up with Granite Ridge Trail which we turned West on, and then looped back on the Molly Moon Trail back Lady Moon trail which took us right back to the parking lot. But because there was no summit, there was no real spot for panoramic views or a great spot to eat our lunch.
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![Burn Scars](/photos/2021/september/album051505img_1182.jpg)
Burn Scars
The Cameron's Peak fire in 2020 came pretty close to the Red Feather Lakes area. I was surprised that we could see this much of it from the hike, even though it was on the mountainside in the background.
![Grass From the Rocks](/photos/2021/september/album051505img_1185.jpg)
Grass From the Rocks
I climbed up some rocks to try and get a better panoramic view of the burn scars (which I ever did get high enough) and found this patch of grass growing out of a rock. The light was hitting it just right and ended up being my favorite photo of the hike.
![Parvin Lake](/photos/2021/september/album051505img_1199.jpg)
Parvin Lake
Even though there are many lakes in this area, we only ever saw one, Parvin Lake.
![Thinking of Fall](/photos/2021/september/album051505img_1203.jpg)
Thinking of Fall
The Aspen trees were already thinking of turning colors for the fall. There were several leaves on some trees that had already changed. I was a little surprised by this, but I guess peak fall colors will be at the end of the month.