I stumbled out of our room ten minutes after the 6 o’clock alarm to start the coffee and saw Zoe sitting in the couch, ready to start the day. I have no idea why she woke so early or how she got ready so quickly, she she was the first of us ready for today’s hike.
We had an hour and a half drive to the trailhead of Lake Hope, outside of Telluride. We knew storms were forecasted in the afternoon, so we wanted to start as early as possible. Zak had done this hike a few years ago when he was out here for spring break and has been itching to go it again with us.
It was a little over 5 miles and 1600 feet of gain, so relatively simple for us all. We started in a dense forest, having to cross multiple streams. There were several rock fall fields we had to cross and then we ascented through low scrubs with sweeping views of the valley and mountains in the distance. Eventually the scrubs turned to tundra like wildflowers, my favorite type. The multitude to colors from the flowers was so beautiful. It reminded me of my favorite hike in Glacier. We made it to a stunning alpine lake. It was truly gorgeous and I can see why Zak wanted to take us on this hike.
We had an easy hike back down. Zoe is a beast on these hikes. She effortlessly makes her way across all the terrain. Ellie has had an incredibly positive attitude this year. It’s really fun to have seen them transform through the years.
With about a quarter mile to the car, we were chatting about some mundane topic I can no longer remember, and suddenly Ellie starts screaming. She threw herself on a nearby rock and screeched words we had trouble understanding. I know I heard “Shoe!!!” and “OFF!!!” I threw my hiking poles down and tried to interpret what she was trying to communicate through the tears and sobs. I quickly realized there was a stinging insect in her shoe. Together we ripped her shoe off, swatted the bug away, and Zak then stomped on it. Immediately, a spot on her ankle began to swell and she continued to scream and cry. We got the sting cleaned up and she calmed down, knowing we just had a bit to go until we got to the car. She leaned on me the rest of the hike.
When we got service I did some googling and am certain she was stung by a velvet ant, also known as a cow killer. They can’t actually kill cows, but the stings feel as if they could. What an asshole insect for stinging my Ellie. Fortunately, the intense pain lasts less than an hour and it’s just itchy now. This is the second time this trip she’s been stung and she was attacked by a wasp nest last year. The poor kiddo has the worst luck.
We made a quick stop in Telluride for lunch and to get a champagne stopper. All in all, minus the asshole velvet ant, it was a really good day.
Molly, what a breath taking group of images. WOW! I love the way your family celebrates life with these summer hiking trips. Makes my heart smile. With the only exception being that asshole bug that tortured Ellie, poor kiddo. 🙁 Be well and thank you for sharing here. XOXOXOXO