Blogs from Colorado, United States, North America - page 176

Wow- after getting back from 3 days in the Rocky Mountains, I was blown away by how pretty they are, and the variety of flora & fauna. Every 30 mins the scenery changes, and you enter a different climate with new animals. It's really amazing, and you get really entranced by driving through it or hiking. Becca & I left Boulder after the triathlon on the 22nd (or rather after our nap after the triathlon), and headed to Estes Park, on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park. The drive there was really nice, but we were both really tired, so we pitched a tent in the Moraine Campground and found a nice joint for some bbq ribs for dinner. Sleeping in the tent is something that I am not really used to (the 3 ... read more

We woke up late after a late night drinking session, and had a big brekkie at Becca's place. Becca & Tyson then decided to take me on a hike in the area, which I was sort of nervous about, since they are athletes & have a slightly different take on a "little hike" than I do. Becca's friend recommended a hike nearby, so we drove through the beautiful mountains past Nederland (called Ned by the locals) to the Hesse wilderness area. We parked the car & I got all of my new kit on (new hiking boots, water bottles, binoculars, camera, etc). The hike to the Lost Lake started at 9000 feet & ended at 9800 feet, over 3 miles. It was really beautiful, passing mountain streams & through the forest. Becca & Tyson were great ... read more

Sunday. Kansas City, Missouri to Colorado Springs, Colorado. A very nice morning with Tony's friends and their two young boys followed by a very uneventful day filled with lotso-driving. We went through all of Kansas, which was as expected, very flat. We stopped in Old Colorado City and stayed at a very basic hotel, Garden of the Gods. This was the only place we stayed two nights in! In general terms, the people in Colorado are fitter and friendlier than those back home. The grocery store clerk actually had such a conversation with Tony that it was nearly impossible to tear ourselves out of there without being rude! Many pictures were taken and a handful are here. Those who know me, feel free to ask to see all 500 or so photos if you have some ... read more

The Alpine Loop travels through the high country of the San Juan Mountains between Ouray, Lake City and Silverton, Colorado. Accessible by 4-wheel-drive trails, the area offers endless views plus glimpses of mining history. From Ouray, the usual access point to the Alpine Loop is up the boulder-strewn beginnings of Engineers Pass. Since we’ve traveled that section before in our jeep, Alan and I decide to spare the Toyota and take an easier access route from Silverton. As pavement turns to gravel and dirt near Silverton, the road climbs passing remnants of mines clinging to hillsides. Soon we’re at the ghost town of Animas Forks. Since the drive up Engineers Pass to Lake City takes about two hours along with a two-hour return through Cinnamon Pass, we elect to bypass any exploration of the crumbing houses. ... read more

Our usual route to Ouray takes us through Durango and up the “million dollar highway” that winds around the mountains to Silverton and into the rugged countryside that defines the mining area near Ouray. This time, we’re coming from Cortez and in the back way on Highway 145. The route takes us through communities like Dolores, the western town of Rico and toney Telluride before descending into a gorge then over the Dallas Divide into the ranching community of Ridgeway and ending at Ouray. On the way, the road snakes beside the Dolores River where many ranches and fishing lodges perch beside fast running water. For sale signs are everywhere but we never find out why so many parcels of land are on the market. Want to buy a slice of mountain heaven? All you need ... read more