Ouzel Falls Trail, December 2019

I always like to try to get in at least one long hike on my trips to Colorado. I'd never done the Ouzel Falls Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park, so that seemed like a solid choice.

The trail is a mile longer in the winter due to the road being closed at a lower parking lot.  Just more time to spend outside on a beautiful Colorado December afternoon!

While the trail had quite a bit of snow, it was packed down enough that I didn't need to use snowshoes.  Microspikes on my hiking boots were sufficient.

Calypso Cascades comes up before Ouzel Falls.  Even covered in snow, I find waterfalls to still be compelling natural features.

Small sections of North St. Vrain Creek were clear of snow, and eye-catching.

Ouzel Falls itself was buried deep in heavy snow, but still beautiful.

I'd hoped to see ice on the actual falls, but these icicles hanging above the trail were a nice consolation prize.

I had planned to turn around once reaching the falls, but there appeared to be an overlook a little farther ahead.  So I pressed on.

My instincts were sound.  The overlook was not far up the trail, and offered a gorgeous view down the valley.

Also striking in portrait orientation, for what it's worth.

The overlook became my new turnaround point, with my path back splendidly lit by the afternoon sun.

One thing I love about winter is how even near midday, the shadows are still long because the sun is so low in the sky.

Calypso Cascades had a different vibe with the sun enjoying a different position in the sky.

The repeated process of freezing and melting leads to interesting structures.

I'm not exactly sure what makes llamas a privileged class, but there you are.

A moose crossed the trail in front of me early in the hike, but I wasn't able to get a decent shot of it.  This was the only other notable "wildlife" I saw the entire day.

Roughly seven miles roundtrip in about four hours, with outstanding weather the entire time.  And I worked up a hearty appetite for some wings and an Old Chub at Oskar Blues in Lyons on my way home.  All in all, a pretty perfect day!