![Black Lake [elev. 10,620 ft] under an overcast sky. The mountain at right is Chiefs Head Peak - the chief is reclining with his nose at the right edge and chin a bit to the left.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5005dbf284aebe9f4d09d4f5/1413205525591-I5LZOGZ345CRXKHP8R9Z/image-asset.jpeg)
Black Lake [elev. 10,620 ft] under an overcast sky. The mountain at right is Chiefs Head Peak - the chief is reclining with his nose at the right edge and chin a bit to the left.
Looking north towards the Mummy Range from Glacier Creek Trail.
The moon above a cloud bank lit by the rising sun.
The approach to Mills Lake, with McHenry Peak in the distance. Black Lake lies just below McHenry Peak.
From the foot of Jewel Lake.
Planks provide a way to traverse a soggy marsh.
Looking back down Glacier Gorge from the edge of Black Lake.
A few months ago, I released a song named, "Rain on the Tarn", and mentioned that I hoped to reach the subject location this summer.
Earlier this week, I hiked up through Glacier Gorge to Andrews Tarn, so I can count that desire fulfilled.
Andrews Tarn lies at around 11,500 feet elevation, just below Andrews Glacier, just east of the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park. This photo looks eastward away from the Divide and the glacier, towards the steep drop-off into the canyon below.
Andrews Glacier - not much more than a dirty patch of snow in late Summer - and getting smaller every year because of the effects of human activity on our climate. Above the glacier is a saddle that is part of the Continental Divide - the line that determines whether water drains into the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean.
Here's the tune - evocative of a different sort of day than the bright and windy conditions in these photos!
![From the eastern lip of Andrews Tarn, looking down the talus slope, with a blue sliver of The Loch [elevation 10,180 ft] visible about a mile away.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5005dbf284aebe9f4d09d4f5/1409876033036-MFPGTVURMGKY5G5CH6VE/image-asset.jpeg)
From the eastern lip of Andrews Tarn, looking down the talus slope, with a blue sliver of The Loch [elevation 10,180 ft] visible about a mile away.
Andrews Creek drains Andrews Tarn and joins Icy Brook running down from Lake of Glass to fill The Loch.
The middle reaches of Andrews Creek cascade over boulders below Andrews Tarn.
Andrews Creek takes a more leisurely meander through the lower reaches before joining Icy Creek.
Looking almost due south across The Loch from its northern shore.
At the foot of The Loch, with Taylor Glacier and Taylor Peak at center and right, respectively.
Glacier Creek below The Loch.
The Loch Vale Trail as it passes below the Glacier Knobs headed for The Loch.
More photos from summer in the Rocky Mountains.
The view back towards Forest Canyon and Trail Ridge Rd. from the summit of Mt. Ida.
Mills Lake, Glacier Gorge, Rocky Mountain National Park.
A Bighorn ram forages above the tree line.
A creamy lump of quartz sits among the boulders near Mt. Ida.
Panorama from the top of Twin Sisters Peak. Mt. Meeker and Long's Peak at left, Estes Park at right.
Equipment from the abandoned Eugenia Mine, on the way to Estes Cone.
An Elk bull looks down on the tree line.
Panoramic view from the top of Estes Cone. Rt. 7 below left, and Mt. Meeker and Long's Peak at center.
Longhorn beetle.
Hatchling praying mantis on a young pine cone.
These cicadas use their wings to make a distinct snapping or clacking sound high in the trees.
Some moth species fake death by extending their abdominal segments and wings, revealing brightly-colored areas, and remaining motionless.
Looking west towards the Continental Divide from near the summit of Twin Sisters.
Wild rose in bloom.
Indian paintbrush.
The Colorado State Flower, Columbine.
New fruit on a conifer.
Painted sky at sunrise.
Young black bear on the trail.
Columbine blossoms in blue and white.
A glimpse of Emerald Lake from the Flattop Mountain trail.
Glacier Creek runs down out of Glacier Gorge in Rocky Mountain National Park. Its headwaters are high up in the Gorge, tucked below the western flanks of Long's Peak and the Continental Divide. The Creek connects Frozen Lake, Black Lake, Jewell Lake and Mills Lake before leaving the Gorge and joining the Big Thompson River.
Here's a bit of video from one of my favorite spots along the Creek.
