This is a brief overview of our Colorado Vacation that took place in the summer of 2008. It begins at sea level and ends at the summit of Mount Evans, Co. We made the trip to the summit in less than 48 hours. Not something I would recommend doing. Fortunately, neither myself nor my husband experienced any problems with altitude sickness. When at high altitude, if you should develop a headache, experience dizziness, nausea or disorientation you should descend to a lower altitude immediately. If your symptoms do not improve you should seek medical attention immediately.
Our adventure begins at the Jersey Shore. We drove from our home in Barnegat to the Philadelphia International Airport and from there we flew to Denver International Airport in Colorado.
Our trip to the summit included stops at Echo Lake, the Bristlecone Pine Forest, the viewing of alpine plants and flowers along with wildlife. As it was August, the Alpine Wildflowers were in full bloom. Other stops included Summit Lake and the observatory.
Of course the summit was the ultimate goal. This is a photo of myself at the summit. It was a warm day and I did not take a jacket with me, I had left it in the car. Had the hike been longer, I would definitely have carried a jacket with me. We had plenty of water with us, and I did drink plenty which is something you should be sure to do at high altitudes.
Alpine Wildflowers, were sporadically seen growing along the side of the road on our way to the summit. The Latin name of these flowers is Cirsium scopulorum. They are also commonly known as Frosty Ball. Other common names are Alpine Thistle and Mountain Thistle. They belong to the family Asteraceae, also known as Aster.
The foliage of this perennial wild flower is silvery green and its leaves are tipped with spines. The flowers are woolly in appearance and culminate in a frosty puffy ball of white.
These plants grow in rocky soil and grow only at high altitudes, in the alpine and sub-alpine zones. Small yellow flowers growing among medium size rocks, along with varying shades of green, add color to the rocky landscape.
Our adventure begins at the Jersey Shore. We drove from our home in Barnegat to the Philadelphia International Airport and from there we flew to Denver International Airport in Colorado.
Our trip to the summit included stops at Echo Lake, the Bristlecone Pine Forest, the viewing of alpine plants and flowers along with wildlife. As it was August, the Alpine Wildflowers were in full bloom. Other stops included Summit Lake and the observatory.
Of course the summit was the ultimate goal. This is a photo of myself at the summit. It was a warm day and I did not take a jacket with me, I had left it in the car. Had the hike been longer, I would definitely have carried a jacket with me. We had plenty of water with us, and I did drink plenty which is something you should be sure to do at high altitudes.
If you are planning a trip to the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Mount Evans is the perfect trip for anyone who would like to experience what it is like at over 14,000 feet who may not otherwise be able to do a lot of difficult climbing. The Mount Evans Scenic Byway allows you easy access, in a car, to within 200 feet or so of the summit. This 14 mile paved road is the highest in North America. Once you get to the parking lot it is a relatively easy hike to the top.
Frosty Ball: Alpine Wildflowers
Alpine Wildflowers, were sporadically seen growing along the side of the road on our way to the summit. The Latin name of these flowers is Cirsium scopulorum. They are also commonly known as Frosty Ball. Other common names are Alpine Thistle and Mountain Thistle. They belong to the family Asteraceae, also known as Aster.The foliage of this perennial wild flower is silvery green and its leaves are tipped with spines. The flowers are woolly in appearance and culminate in a frosty puffy ball of white.
These plants grow in rocky soil and grow only at high altitudes, in the alpine and sub-alpine zones. Small yellow flowers growing among medium size rocks, along with varying shades of green, add color to the rocky landscape.
Are you are planning a vacation to the Colorado Rockies in the western part of the United States during the summer months? If so, keep an eye out for this unique plant.
Looking for that special gift? The above photo of Echo Lake is available as a poster and on many other products. Visit our Alpine Wildflowers product line. To see a wide range of products featuring my photography please visit GardenOfLife.
