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Caitlin: Well folks, allow me to apologize in advance—for I am lacking the beautiful diction and syntax that Reece possesses. Let’s be glad that it is he who is studying English at the fine State University of NJ and not myself…. That being said, Reece does think that I take better photos….so I suppose we make a good team. Make sure you keep your eyes open for when he publishes his Kerouac-esque chronicle of our adventure.
Monday was a glorious day all & all. Waking up in backcountry is an experience that rivals all. Anywhere. For those who have not experienced backcountry living….do it! Relieving yourself of all the stimuli that you think you need….think you like…think you want- is liable to be one of the most philosophical & spiritual experiences you can have….but it is also lighthearted and fun—no pressure. At all. PLUS, you get to be a kid again….wake up & throw some clothes on without bothering to check your appearance….doing everything that you wouldn’t normally do with dirt under your fingernails….
A gentle awakening from the light shining through nylon (or whatever tents are made of)….. unzip & find my face somewhere between affronted & caressed
by the cool morning air. Light up the “pocket rocket” and boil some water for instant coffee (it only tastes good in backcountry)….. sip, lounge on seat-rock to enjoy the isolation…. But this is not isolation at all because I am CROWDED by my surroundings teeming with life & majesty (purple mountains included). Ol’ “Rabbit Eats’ rising in front of me…..the breeze shakes the quaking aspens & carries the fresh scent of ponderosa pines to my nose…. (think Yankee Candle Co. pine scent). The brook babbles…and even the annoying squirrel chirping is endearing at this hour (just not at 11pm when you are dead tired). The bugs have yet to venture out of their bug-homes (and Reece out of the tent) and all is peaceful & serene. Not only is it easy to think about anything….it’s easy to think about nothing at all. It’s easy to just be...
After Reece woke we set off to hike up to Bridal Veil Falls. About 1 ½ miles & 1500’ gain in elevation turned out to be the prefect about of excursion for us. When we were discussing our possibilities with Ranger Kite the previous day, I had been weary of such
a small distance… moderate to me back east usually equates to between 6 & 8 miles… But, truth be told, the altitude really affects you. In a Wilderness Medicine class (WFR with WMA for those interested) I took, I learned all about Mountain Sickness, particularly how to deal with and prevent AMS (acute mountain sickness). However, yesterday when Reece & I rolled into (UP into) Rocky Mountain Park, the scenery wasn’t the only thing taking our breath away. I was lightheaded….slightly nauseous…Just climbing a flight of stairs left me winded…(and this is coming from the dedicated LA Fitness member). We drank TONS of water that day….and today as we continued to get acclimated. The hike was beautiful…beginning in open foothills dominated by grasses & elk poop & scattered with wildflowers, pines, aspens and beech trees. The trail then proceeded to ascend into a thick forest dominated by pines (I regret that as of yet I am not familiar with Western flora taxonomy but hopefully I can correct this later) & boulders. The creek was often in sight, and almost always within ear shot….although sometimes it was hard to differentiate between the distant burble of Cow Creek and the rustling of
the quaking aspens. The trail left me with a great cargo-pocket appreciation…. I was constantly reaching for my camera… (and constantly glad that I brought my point-and-shoot and not my SLR…. That baby isn’t too fun to hike with, although I imagine once I reach Yosemite & become familiar with places I will attempt that anyway). As we rose in elevation the creek was constantly psyching us out presenting itself in small series of delightful cascades as the snowmelt rushed down the mountains. Several times I found myself undergoing the same sequence of emotions, “ooh how beautiful….humm do you think THAT’S bridal veil?” But persistence & patience payed off (as, I admit, they usually do) and we were rewarded with a dreamy sight of the icy water spilling about 30 feet over a small cliff and bouncing off the rocks below creating a twinkley, albeit veil-like appearance. (PS, I would love to know what the peoples native to this area called the falls….I’m pretty sure the name had nothing to do with Christian marriage costume traditions). We sat to bask in the view of both the falls & valley below, and filtered ourselves a new gallon as we had consumed
both Nalgenes on the hike up. The pioneering spirit then got a hold of us. I suppose now be an appropriate time to mention that inspired by our travels & as of late, that magnificent wonders around us, Reece & I have adopted alter-egos. Mountain Dude & Coyote Cait--- thus proceeded to find a way to the top of the ridge towards the north in search of the ever-elusive (yet in the Rockies seemingly always present) vista. We scrambled up along the falls, & hiked further up the creek, crossed over on a tree stump & found an accessible route up the ridge. We bouldered carefully to the top….Upon which we found a surreal land of rock smoothed by elements….little bowls carved into the rock now full of rain water from last night & pine needles. From the top we had virtually a 360-degree view of the mountains & valleys around us, particularly the nearby Sheep Mountain & Dark Mountain.
We spent a nice hunk of the afternoon up on the ridge, laying in the
wind & sun (note: higher elevations = closer to the sun & thinner air = sunburn)….made some lunch (cheese sandwich anyone?) and watched the birds & clouds fly by.
And this all comes down to a cost of $5/night per person? Well worth it.
Reaching the trail after our descent we stumbled upon 4 spry seniors that we had passed on the way up. Reece & I were forced to swallow our pride having speculated on our own ascent, that, “they won’t make it”. Turns out these super seniors had done the hike before…and returned to do it again. Which makes me glad to be wrong…and hopefully that in my golden years I will still be transversing boulders and sub-Alpine ecosystems.
Back at camp, Reece summated Rabbit Ears (more on that later) & dinner was a delightful red beans & rice. Unfortunately there was no planetarium tonight as clouds rolled in along with rain, thunder & lightning….a bit scary I’ll admit, but snuggled up in my sleeping bag in the tent, the metronomic thumping of the rain lulled me off to sleep.
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