Category Archives: Hiking

20161021 – Annual Pass

I’m an annual pass holder….!!!

Now that I’m settling into Palm Springs, it’s been a discovery of fun things to do.   A quick 15 minute drive from the house will get me to the Palm Springs Tram.

I first discovered this amazing adventure last year before I left when my friends, Susan and Bill came to visit.   It’s a gondola that takes 15 minutes from the floor of Palm Springs up to the top of Mt. Jacinto.

Once you arrive at the summit station, it’s all alpine.  There are a ton of trails for hiking and camping, and even snowshoeing during the winter.

With all of that, I decided to become an annual Pass Holder…!!!

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Once you get to the top, it’s just amazing scenery and forest:

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Alpine Selfie
Alpine Selfie

View from the top of the tram…!!!

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20160927 – Weehawken

***** There are Four (4) videos in this post.  They take a bit of time to download, but hope they’ll be worth it.  Sorry. *****

Just another beautiful day in Ouray.  It would be a shame not to be outside and enjoy the beauty of the mountains.  So…….

I decided to head to the Weehawken trail.  I saw a friend in town yesterday and told me how great the colors were up on the trail, so I headed out to tackle the route.  I knew where the trailhead was, but wasn’t familiar what the trail entailed.    I guess I should have read a bit about it before heading out.  Just another result of not being involved enough in the town I’ve lived for so many years. I’ve been in Ouray since 2010 and it’s such a shame I’ve never been able to play in the hills and on these trails until now.  Better late, than never…!!

It’s amazing how happy I look at the Trailhead at the start of the hikes….

Start

Not far up the trail, you could tell, this was going to be an amazing hike with some amazing views of the Fall colors.   So far, the trail has been nothing but UPHILL.  No surprise in Ouray though…

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Finally after a long trek upward, I got to the fork in the trail.  I decided to head to the Alpine Mine and Outlook, so I took a sharp right.   What a crazy hike this has been…. as you can see, I’m already wiped out..

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As I work my way up through treeline, the views become even more incredible.

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I finally got to the first outlook and as you can see, it’s amazing.  I hope the video does it justice.

VIDEO – Outlook

From the same outlook, a short confession of how hard this hike has been.

VIDEO – Outlook Confession

Not much time after the video, I finally got to the mine.  It’s incredible to me how these guys worked these mines up in the middle of the mountains.  They were definitely tenacious dudes.

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Finally….. at the top.

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A short video from the Outlook down into the Ouray Valley.

VIDEO – Ouray Valley

Three things I’ve learned as I descend back to the Suburban…..!!!

VIDEO – Three Things

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A selfie at 10,000 feet (or somewhere around that high…!!!)

Luckily, I didn’t get snowed on and the weather held out until I returned to the truck.   Not only was it brutal going up because it was so steep, but heading down, my lower thighs were on fire because of the steep decline.   We’ll see how the legs feel tomorrow. After some dinner and working on this post, it’s time for bed…!!! Good night…

20160911 – A hike in WP

The Valley

Click for above for amazing view of Grand Valley….!!

After the Wings and Whiskey Festival, the next day was just as beautiful in Winter Park.  This time of the year in Colorado is just amazing.  After an early morning shower, I’m ready for the day.  I’m on my way to meet Suz for some breakfast at Rise.  I can  taste the bacon already…

As I step outside to walk up to the restaurant, I can’t believe how chilly it is this morning… FALL IS HERE….!!!!    There was frost on the suburban and I could see my breath.  It’s too early for the cold.  I need my summer to hang on a couple more weeks…

After breakfast, the Rousheys and I headed up to the Beyer’s Peak trailhead.  It’s about 7 miles south of Winter Park.   It’s a 13’ner and one of the most beautiful peaks in Grand County.

Once we get to the trailhead, Ms Suz signs us in to the trailhead registry.  She’s so official, which is a good thing.  Thankfully, someone is smart enough to look out for the safety of the group.

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Signing In

I couldn’t help but take a pic of Suz taking a pic…!!

Trailhead
Trailhead

Just a few pics from the trail as we work our way up the trail.  Some great views of the Grand Valley.

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Joy…!!

The hike was fun, but even more fun with Joy…!!!!   She sets a pace that’s hard to keep up with..!!

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Yeti Trap

Of course, as we work our way up the trail…..  existence of the Yeti becomes clear… look at this Yeti trap.  He places a log across the trail to slow us down.   That tree doesn’t land in the middle of the trail by accident.  The snowman is real…!!!

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The Yeti is Ruthless

As you can see, the Yeti trap has spikes on the log to slow down his prey…!!   The Yeti is……

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Beautiful

After successfully escaping the traps of the Yeti, I settle on the patio of the Roushey’s patio and enjoy some whiskey imbibing.    Life is good.

20160827 – A Hike with Some Friends – Evidence of the Yeti

We decided to take a hike this morning.  The trail we picked was near Mt. Princeton.

I know the Yeti is close..!!
I know the Yeti is close..!!

http://www.coloradoswildareas.com/collegiate-peaks/

Just a shot down trail with my friends.

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I photo bombed my own shot…!!   The trail has been a struggle in the beginning since it’s been mostly uphill, but everyone is a trooper and forging forward.

My own Photo bomb.
My own Photo bomb.

Just in case you didn’t think the Yeti exists… Here is another Yeti Hut sighting.  They’re quite skilled in hut building.  I’d stay in that overnight.

Another Yeti Hut.
Another Yeti Hut.

The ULTIMATE Yeti evidence:  Yeti Poo……    That’s quite the scat pile…!!

Yeti poo.
Yeti poo.

Further up the trail, guess what… another Yeti campground.  Not only is the hut built flawlessly, it’s even built with a Yeti bleacher.  I guess they must watch movies from those seats.

Believe in the in the Yeti….!!!

Yeti campsite.
Yeti campsite.

20160815 – Half Moon Pass – Vail

While in Vail, after the bike ride to the pass, what better to do the next day, then a hike to the top of Half Moon Pass.  It’s a pass near the divide of Mt. Holy Cross (14,005).

http://www.14ers.com/route.php?route=holy1&peak=mt.+of+the+holy+cross

In preparation of the hike, there is no better hiking fuel than a PB&J.  I think six sandwiches is enough.

Hiking Fuel..
Hiking Fuel..

I bought these new hiking shoes in Winter Park.  They’re the best hiking shoes I’ve ever owned.  They’re so stable, but so comfortable at the same time.  I think I might have to get a backup pair next time I head to WP.

Love these shoes.
Love these shoes.

After an hour drive up the 4×4 road to the trailhead, I’m ready to get it on after another douchebag selfie.

Trailhead.
Trailhead.

This is why I love living in Colorado.  Just a quick shot of the trail towards the summit of Half Moon.  What a beautiful sky.

Up the mountain.
Up the mountain.

A view just below the summit.  What an amazing day…!!!

Near the pass.
Near the pass.

20160824 – What’s in your Backpack…??

 

Time to start doing some Training Hikes in Ouray in preparation of the Costa Rica adventure.  Since the last hike went really well, I decided to add some weight to the backpack for training.  Nice jugs…!!

Nice pair of Jugs.
Nice pair of Jugs.

Since you never know what the weather is like in Ouray, you have to be prepared for anything, including packing a sleeping bag…!!

Artistic..??
Artistic..??

The bridge over the river near bathtub on the south side of the trail.

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Where there’s bears…. there’s a YETI…!!!

There has to bear poop close by.
There has to bear poop close by.

The view down the valley with Abrahms in the background.

Down Valley.
Down Valley.

After a rough training hike, nothing better than a little whiskey…

Time to Enjoy…!!!

Welcomed reward.
Welcomed reward.