Monday, June 29, 2009

Hiking the Lenawee Trail













Today, I hiked the Lenawee Trail from Peru Creek to the top of Lenawee Mountain. I didn't read that much about it before I started, so I was surprised to find myself at the top of the East Wall of Arapahoe Basin Ski Area. Lenawee is one of many peaks on the Great Divide, and it seems one can see forever in any direction from the top.

After a three-hour hike to the summit, I stopped for lunch. As I finished a granola bar I heard large rocks moving above my head. Startled, and expecting a slide I turned and looked up to see three mountain goats descending from the rocky peak straight toward me. I stood and waved my arms thinking it better not to let them get too close before I was seen. They stopped not more than 30 feet away, and watched me as I watched them. One of them even appeared to be lounging as they, presumably, waited for me to leave. I grabbed my camera and got a little footage of this rarity.

I also saw Elk, some kind of Marmot-looking beaver things, mice, and plenty of birds. No bear sign today, and that was a good thing. The trip took about 5 hours, and was the best hike I've done since moving to Colorado.

Monday, June 22, 2009


Well I really thought I had done some serious hiking yesterday. Today I hiked the Ptarmigan Peak Trail. The climb to the summit (12,498 ft.) took about 3.5 hours. It was a fantastic hike, but I wasn't planning on being gone that long. I thought I had reached the summit about 5 times before I actually did it. Quitters never win, right?







Sunday, June 21, 2009

The Keystone Gulch Road

Here are a couple of videos and pics of my Jeep/hiking excursion today. I took the Keystone Gulch Road, which is the back way to the Outpost building where I work. At the gate to the Outpost I took a right and climbed toward Erickson Mine. I am trying to find a little history on the mine, but have none yet. I drove until I found snow covering the road, then hiked to the mine and then past it to the top of Keystone Mountain (12,408 ft.) and Bear Mountain (12,585 ft.).































Thursday, June 18, 2009

Bittersweet





Here are some pics I took on the Jedi trail outside Keystone before I went over my handlebars and broke my ribs!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

World's Greatest Cubs Fan


The next time you find yourself at an ICubs game, make sure you buy yourself an ice cream in a commemorative helmet. The entertainment possibilities are endless.

Back Home or Away?


Am I home or did I just leave it? I have been back in Summit County, CO. for a day and I feel torn. Des Moines is where I grew up, and it was difficult to leave it again. I hope Em's house sells soon. I could sure use the company.