Theta Chi Reunion

Nature Hike

Introduction

One of the activities planned for the reunion is a nature hike that will occur on Friday, August 27. The following information is presented in an effort to answer any questions you may have about this once in a lifetime adventure and to hopefully provide an understanding as to what it may entail. It is not intended to be a strenuous test for survival, but rather a pleasant walk in the forest. In summary, it’s an opportunity to experience some of the beauty and wildlife of Rocky Mountain National Park and your participation is encouraged.

Itinerary

Transportation: We will use personal vehicles, preferably SUV’s and vans. The number used will depend on the number of participants. It would be wise if we doubled-up to reduce the length of the caravan. It is also important to note that the entrance fee for the Park is $20, although the pass is good for 7 days. This will probably be determined Thursday evening or early Friday morning.

Time: The adventure will begin shortly after breakfast on Friday. It is recommended that we meet for breakfast at 8:00a.m at the Big Horn Restaurant in Estes Park, noted to be the “Best Breakfast” in Estes (please visit their website: http://www.estesparkbighorn.com). The restaurant also has a deli where we will order sandwiches to take with us for lunch. As a benchmark, the approximate altitude in Estes Park is 7500 feet.

Trails: The trails to be hiked are located in the Bear Lake Corridor. We will drive to and park in the Bear Lake parking area. This is approximately 13 miles from the restaurant and is at an altitude of 9475 feet. From there we will hike to and around Bear Lake, and then take the trail to Alberta Falls and then back to the Glacier Gorge shuttle lot. We will take the shuttle back to Bear Lake, where we will rest a bit and pick up our lunches. These trails are not steep as the fluctuation in altitude is about 160’ and the distance is approximately 2.3 miles.

We will then hike to Bierstadt Lake from the Bear Lake parking area. The incline is gradual and the scenery is reported to be excellent. After visiting the lake, we will walk downhill to the Bierstadt Lake parking lot and catch the shuttle back to our cars. This total distance is approximately 3.6 miles. Half is all downhill to the parking lot. We will enjoy our lunches somewhere along the trail.

Equipment: The following is a list of items you should consider taking with you on the trail:

o Light backpack

o Hat

o Bottled water(1-2 bottles/person)

o Rain jacket

o Field glasses

o Camera

o Tennis shoes or hiking boots

o Hiking staff (optional)

This is a great opportunity to enjoy a first hand encounter with the flora and fauna of the region as well as its natural topography. If you are interested in more information, please contact the following websites:

Rocky Mountain National Park

· http://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm

Bear Lake Corridor Trails

· http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/upload/bear_lake_summer_trails.pdf

Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

· http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/

Please let me know if you are interested in participating in the hike. This will assist me in the planning and logistics. Also, feel free to inquire about any questions you may have. My email address is srwylie@cox.net and my phone numbers are (405) 359-0534 (home) and (405) 401-1418 (cell).

I look forward to your response and participation.

Your fearless leader,

Steve Wylie