For my hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, I hiked Flattop Mountain and Hallets Peak in some changing conditions.  Leaving the trail head at 4:45am we started off in the dark with a group of hikers from the Georgia chapter and were near treeline when the sun emerged.  Initially there was some morning light, but the clouds started rolling into the valleys.  The one thing which was absent this year was the wind, and by the time we got to the peak of Flattop it started to cool down and we were in and out of the clouds.  The group continued onto Hallets and once at the top you could see in the distance a storm starting to brew.  As we started heading down the rocky trail a system moved in and brought some snow to us on the hike down, or maybe it was gropple.  Either way it was with us almost all the way back towards Bear Lake and the conclusion of the Fall 2009 Team in Training – Hike season.

Thanks again to everyone who contributed as 59 hikers participated at RMNP raising around $230,000!  It is not too late to donate, and if you would like to do so let me know.

Each week prior to hiking we take moment at the trailhead to remind us why we are a part of Team in Training and of course this Saturday prior to hiking Jasper Lake, Kyle will be on our mind and the mission moment.  As others who are hiking know the background I am sure it will set the tone for the day, especially with others in the group who are battling a blood cancer themselves or know someone who is impacted.

While we are all sad hearing the news of Kyle, there is also the positive news we hear and see on the trails of people who have won the battle with a blood cancer.  Some of this is a result of the research and development of new drugs made possible directly from the money raised by Team in Training for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society over the past twenty years.  It is knowing we can make a difference by being a part of this cause which keeps me going and raising money for LLS, and I hope you can help me make a difference.

Unfortunately Kyle is no longer with us but he will be our inspriration for what he battled the past ten years as we work towards our goal for the finale hike, fundraising numbers but more so reaching the ultimate goal where others moving forward will not have to go through what Kyle did the past ten years.

Find out more about my fundraising…

After looking at this image, I decided to make it something which would be available to folks who donate towards my Team in Training fundraising efforts.  At the top level if there is a different image you would like let me know and that can be arranged as well.

Now as it is raining here in Denver, I know at 11,000+ feet at this spot the road is covered once again in snow and closed.

At the lower elevations, the wildflowers are now in their prime.

If you would like to contribute towards my fundraising efforts with Team in Training where I am raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society please visit my information page to find out how you may help out.

Since I will not be on the trails today, I will also take this time to work on fund raising.  So far the response has been good, but I would like to push forward and surprise the Hike Campaign Manager upon her return from the Grand Canyon in the middle of next week.  So what would be a good surprise?  How about being at 50% or more towards the final goal.  That is just $525 from where we are right now.  So visit the Team in Training page I have set-up and see how you can help me reach this goal and what you could receive by helping out with a donation.

Rainbow Curve - Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

This image is available in the Rocky Mountain National Park gallery and is titled Rainbow Curve.

Starting along Flagstaff Mountain Road we made our way on the Green Mountain West Ridge trail prior to starting to head down towards Boulder and the main trail heads.  Due to snow in the recent weeks there were quite a few trees which had fallen along the trail making it an interesting day either getting through the trees or dispersing around the downed trees to minimize the trail impact.  Upon reach the parking lots we headed back up towards the top along Gregory Canyon which was in good condition but then it started raining once again.  It was a good hike to end the season, and would like to thank Kelly for the following images since I didn’t have my camera with me on this hike.

The view along the trail while hiking outside of Boulder.

I am trying to avoid a picture taken by Cristy as documented by Kelly.

I now start hiking for the Fall season at Rocky Mountain National Park, and will begin the fund raising process.

Button Rock Preserve (Thanks to Shawn for letting me use her camera)

Apex Park – Jefferson County Open Space

Apex Park Trails - Jefferson County Colorado

White Ranch Open Space – This was probably the most fun due to the fact there was three feet of snow.  Fortunately a couple of us had our snowshoes to help with making a trail.

April snowstorm at White Ranch Open Space in Jefferson County

Hiking at White Ranch Open Space

Didn't take long for Cristy, Kelly, Mary, Mike, Shawn and myself to make this snowman

With this season almost over the next season of Team in Training is being planned and scheduled to kick off on May 9th.  I will be hiking again this summer and doing fundraising this time around.  If you would like to contribute to my efforts you may learn more at the Neil Corman Team in Training page.

One of the items which will be available to bid on at the silent auction is Winter in Washington Park which is a photograph I took earlier this year in Washington Park here in Denver.  With a starting bid of $25 for a matted 16×20 print there is a great value available.

The event which takes place from 5:30-8:30PM is being held at Michelangelo’s Coffee and Wine Bar which is located at 1 Broadway in Denver.  I hope to see your there!

With the first hike for the group, we started off with a local hike at Doudy Draw which is part of the Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks system.  It was a little chilly at the start as a weather system moved into Colorado overnight leaving a dusting of snow which would soon melt with sunshine filling the sky.  Fifteen hikers headed out of the trailhead parking lot and up the trail enjoying the peaceful morning as we got to know each other during the hike.  From the trailhead off of Highway 93 we headed across the Flatirons Vista North trail, and met up with Doudy Draw as we descended down the ridge.  From there we did the Springbrook loop and then headed back towards the trailhead.  After completing the loop you could tell that the snow was melting quite quickly as areas which had snow on the trail was now either muddy or even dry as we retraced our route.  At the end of the hike we had covered around seven miles on a perfect February day to kick off the hiking part of the season.

In addition to some information about the hike, each week I will also provide a link to one of the hikers participating this season in case you would like to donate to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Team in Training program.  This week Janet Hukill is the featured participant.  Janet was my mentor last season when I hiked at Rocky Mountain National Park and has been involved with the Hike program for a couple of years.  To learn more about why Janet is hiking and support her efforts with a donation, please visit Janet’s fundraising page.