Skeleton Gulch

We went backcountry camping for the end of our stay in Colorado. It followed the same trail that Aaron and I had hiked several days before. It continued on into an area called Skeleton Gulch. Not sure where the name came from.....but we did find some bones randomly placed in the woods and along the mountainside. (Kind of creepy!) We hiked in yesterday and set up camp. The site was a neat little area with views of peaks on all sides and a waterfall running nearby. In the afternoon we hiked out past our campsite into the field and up a portion of the mountainside. There was a glacier that we hiked on and got to look inside! The views were absolutely amazing. We also saw some elk grazing in the marsh nearby. Today Aaron and I got up early and planned to hike up Mt. Richtoffen. The route that we had planned to take to get us to the top was not the right one, so we hiked to the top of a nearby peak instead. I thought it was still an awesome view and accomplishment! We could see rivers, glaciers, and mountains for miles. We decided that trying to find the route to our original destination would probably take to long, and the clouds were already building so we headed back. We made some lunch and decided that the weather looked like it was going to get ugly. Megan and Brandon had already left. So we packed up our camp and hiked back to the trailhead. It was definitely a long day of hiking, but worth the trip. It rained this afternoon so we were glad that we decided to come back. We started our trek back home so unless we come across something unique and noteworthy you will probably not see anything else on the site. See you soon......

Heading Out Soon...

Tomorrow the four of us are heading into the back country for a couple of days. (So if you don"t hear from us for a couple of days thats why...) We're heading up to Skeleton Gulch, about 10 miles from the nearest trail head. There are four or five peaks within a couple of miles that we might attempt. As of right now we are planning on heading for home on Friday, but we'll see what really plays out. Sorry, no pictures today, we were all kind of unmotivated to do anything.

Latr

Today we hiked out to a place called Lulu City in RMNP. This was an old mining town from the 1800's. It had a population of 200 people at one point. Apparently the mining was unsuccessful. This was an old mine that we found.
These were two of the cabins that were nearby the old site of Lulu City. It is amazing that some of the structures still exist. From the valley we could see other mining sites along the surrounding mountains. The Colorado River ran along the valley floor.
On our hike back we passed all sorts of rivers flowing down the mountains. This one was particularly beautiful with all of the vibrant green moss.
On our drive back through the park we saw these three elk that were peacefully grazing along the roadside. The picture turned out looking better than I thought a shot out the window would!


Today was a long day. Aaron and I left the camp around 8am and headed into the park. It took awhile to get to our hiking trail, but it was still fairly early when we got there. The temperature was great, most of the trail was through the woods, and there was not a ton of other tourists!! Little did I know that our hike was going to go from around 7 miles of moderate hiking to a 14 mile trip with lots of uphill sections!! It was beautiful, but exhausting. We hiked past the city, up past some backcountry campsites, and up to an old stage road, and then back down another mountain trail. It was really hot walking along the road, but it was neat because they redirected the river so it ran along the whole length of the road. We saw some fish, lots of gorgeous wildflowers, and some great mountain views. Our hike back down the mountain went through boulder fields, and glacial debris, and was really green like the picture you see above. It was a fun day, I had no idea we would hike so far, but I am really glad that we did. ( I am just glad I finally got to take my hiking boots off!!!)

A long couple of days.......

Well Brandon and Megan met us on their way home from their summer in Oregon. We did not get to post any pictures last night because we misplaced the camera and did not find it until this morning. Yesterday we took them up to Jurassic Park where Aaron and I climbed before. It was fun, but a thunderstorm kicked us out early and continued to pour for the entire evening. Today we did some bouldering (Aaron and Brandon did anyway) along Lumpy Ridge. They had an alright time and lost a lot of fingertip skin to the rocks. We decided to go into the town of Boulder because Brandon and Megan wanted/needed some camping items from the REI there. After a very stressful time of trying to find the store and trying to follow one another,we finally made it. I was happy to find Dr. Bronners soap, Aaron was happy to get more Powerbar gel and Brandon a sleeping pad. Unfortunately, the Sushi restaurant that they spotted on the way in was not open yet so we got some sandwiches elsewhere and headed home. We will post pictures tomorrow since it is getting late.

So much for relaxing...

And so it begins... the weekend in Estes Park. During the week things are pretty quiet, but as soon as Friday comes things switch into crazy mode. The average population must double and getting anywhere in the park takes forever. Last night i there was less than 10 camp sites occupied, and as of an hour ago there were three open, all of which will be taken before the nights over. Instead of hearing the ground squirrels running around and the humming birds high pitched chirp i only hear kids screaming as they ride their bikes recklessly throughout the campground (my trip wires have snagged a few) and neglected dogs barking at everything that crosses in front of them. Oh well, such is life. Not that i am complaining, this is much better than being stuck in a bare field surrounded by RV's and hearing the dull roar of air conditioners mixed with the latest rerun of Friends blasting from their surround sound system inside. I'll tolerate kids and dogs over diesel fumes and hearing complaints over their pathetic excuse for camping any day. Anyway Brandon and Megen will be here later tonight having driven straight from Crater Lake National Park.

Ali and i hiked into Bridal veil falls today, about a 7 mile hike


The lower part of the falls

A lack of finger skin...

After waking up rather late we drove up to Jurassic Park and climbed for most of the day. Its a nice secluded spot with a number of rock bands and fins jutting out of the hill side. We climbed about 8 routes today, and as compared to out east all of the grading here is sandbagged... so we'll be taking tomorrow off to regrow some skin...


On the edge 5.9R (I think its called that... to lazy to look)


at the top of On the Edge


Longs Peak and Mount Meeker in the distance


Ali at the top of an unnamed route


Sunset over Lily Lake


Storms residing over Longs and Meeker

Waiting out the rain...

Rained most of the day today, nevertheless we got a little climbing in. There is a little creg just up the hill from out camp that has a bunch of hard climbs. There is a trad chimney that the last 50' is unprotected that i bailed off from. Then I led a 5.11c climb called "Pay at the Pump" that i almost on sited, except that i hung off two of the bolts. Maybe tomorrow i'll red point it. Did a little bouldering on the dirty boulders uphill from us, nothing worth talking about. With the exception of seeing glass blowing nothing too exciting happening in town today. Its nice during the week when there isn't that many people around...


At the top of Pay at the Pump



Looking up the route



Sunset