As a somewhat avid hiker, gaining over 1500 feet on a hike didn’t sound strenuous. That’s until I got to the parking lot, strapped my boots on, wrapped my cameras around my neck and arms, and carried nearly 30 pounds on my back on a steady uphill, almost five-mile climb.

But after all the photos I’ve seen of Finch Lake and all the beautiful things I’ve heard about the hike, I couldn’t let anything stop me from experiencing it. I also knew snow would be falling soon.

It was early. The air smelled of late autumn, and the promise of a warmer afternoon lay ahead. I reached the Wild Basin area of Rocky Mountain National Park a little after 8 a.m.

As my feet crunched against the rocky ground, covered in fallen leaves, and the morning’s sun-exposed colorful scenery came to life, I looked forward to a new perspective.

In less than a mile, I gained 485 feet. Entering a stunning forest filled Reflecting on distance The first mile of the Finch Lake Trail exposes hikers to a view of the Horsetooth Peak area (above). Ogalalla Peak and Mt. Copeland set the stage for breathtaking and peaceful moments at Finch Lake (below). with ponderosa pines and aspen trees, I felt I was a million miles away from civilization. I inhaled deeply to take in the sweet scents of Mother Nature.

I proceeded to the right at the Allenspark Trail, Meadow Mountain Ranch, and Finch Lake junction. At nearly two miles, I stopped to view Mount Meeker as she revealed a side of her I had never seen.

Approaching another junction leading to the Allenspark Trail, Calypso Cascades, and Finch Lake, I stayed straight, determined to avoid confusion and enjoy the scenery as it continually told stories of life in nature.

Looking closely, I could spot evidence of the aftermath of the 1978 Ouzel Fire, which a few weeks later burned out of control by 30 mph winds, threatening the town of Allenspark. The wildfire, started by lightning, was extinguished on December 4, 1978, after burning 1,000 acres of the park.

Finally, the trail offered a break from the ascent, and for about a quarter of a mile, I descended until I reached Finch Lake at 9,910 feet. I sat on a rock, looking across the lake toward Ogalalla Peak and Mt. Copeland.

Gray Jays fluttered in pairs around me, one looking straight into my camera lens. With no one else in sight, I dreamt it was what heaven might feel like. Except in my version of heaven, I’d live peacefully among all the creatures that call the mountains home.

The Finch Lake Trail is located inside Rocky Mountain National Park in the Wild Basin area off Highway 7 and 84W in Allenspark. To learn more about Finch Lake, visit https://www.rockymountainhikingtrails.com/ finch-lake.htm.