#rmnp #rocks #gemlake #naturephotography #naturelovers #naturalbeauty https://www.instagram.com/p/CXSa1PaLiv9/?utm_medium=tumblr

The one where we hiked for 4 miles… #tiredaf #gemlake @sully.barr #iloveus https://www.instagram.com/p/CT5LOjAlAhKtM2kCG6HQAa9OEsqATTbrXsBIik0/?utm_medium=tumblr

My favorite shots of the week. @visitestespark @visitcolorado @visitrmnp @kindcoffeeestes #wildfires2020 #wildfire #wildlife #wildlifephotography #gemlake #longspeak #elk (at Estes Park, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/CF5wGpglQDC/?igshid=3tyi2akfrzj5

By hiking to Gem Lake, I’ve now completed all the most popular 2-6 mile trails on this side of Rocky Mountain National Park! This didn’t occur to me until I was talking to a fellow hiker and with each trail she talked about doing one day, I realized I had already done them! I was so proud of myself in that moment and then for the rest of the trail. I’ve been slowly collecting these hikes- checking them off them under my boots- without realizing it. Hiking makes me so grateful for my mental and physical self. Grateful that I don’t talk myself out of a hike because I’m alone or it’s cold or I’m not good enough to complete it. Grateful that I can hike, even if it means having sore ankles the next day or stinky feet and sweat dripping down my forehead as I slowly climb a ridge. I’d like to collect my thoughts about these trails so others can read them and realize that they too can experience beautiful places. #gemlake #rmnp #findyourpark #rockymountainnationalpark #estespark #lumpyridge #snow #winter #colorado #dayhike #writer #travel #womenwhohike #hikerlife #beauty #landscape #rocks #frozen #lake #grateful #gratitude (at Gem Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs4hXVllUr6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=14hlrt4m6992n

Happy Mountain Girl #gemlake #rmnp #nps #findyourpark #colorado #selfie #womenwhohike #hikerlife #travelgram #estespark #lumpyridge #weekendvibes #happy #mountains (at Gem Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs3zlNDltsJ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=qcnqn5zyxci1

For the last couple of years, I have wanted to make the hike up to Gem Lake. After being thwarted by snow TWICE, I set myself the goal of making it there before I go in for surgery later this month. And... I finally did it this past weekend! It was a long hike, but it was so worth it and I’m so happy that I made it up there. #alpinelakeswilderness #gemlake (at Gem Lake) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnaAxpMHNY5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1rs5y30cgc7ry

9000' team Stradalli fun altitude training. #colorado #stradalli #hiking #altitude #sundayhike #hike #estesparkcolorado #estespark #Gem #gemlake #training