Wheeler Geologic Area

Wheeler Geologic Area

Wheeler Geologic Area

Though it took me a while to get the images up, the hike to the Wheeler Geologic Area for my birthday turned out to be quite the adventure!

We started with a 6-hour “geocaching drive” to the mines in Creede, a bit of off roading fun around the Rio Grande River, and a night of camping with the cows at Hanson’s Sawmill at the end of Pool Table Road.

On Day 2 we awoke to some bulls guarding the ahem -facilities- and some Grey Jays begging for fritos at the camp. After our eggs and bacon we packed up and began the very very long hike to Wheeler. Around 5pm, we found ourselves approximately 11,400 feet in elevation at the top of the 3rd or 4th mountain being beaten down by ice cold rain and hail with blinding lightening and deafening thunder. So we stopped and setup camp about 1.5 miles from our destination. Using the MRE cooking bags, we created a steam tent for warmth.

On Day 3, we completed the short hike to Wheeler (without our packs) and I enjoyed turning 40 as I hiked around 30 million old ash hoodoos. Once we completed exploring the Wheeler Geologic Area I enjoyed turning 999 years old (at least that’s what it felt like) as we hiked back to the original camp area at Hanson’s Sawmill. We were exhausted by this point! Once we got back, we loaded up the truck and drove to Gunnison for a hot shower and warm bed at a local hotel (hey! I’m 40 now… I deserve a hotel! lol).

On Day 4, we checked out the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and did some “Spirit Caching” (geocaching around historic cemeteries) on our trip home — this of course after accidentally doing a little more 4-wheeling (my poor truck…)– All in All a trip we’ll remember for years. It was tough… but we’re all proud we made it and it was certainly worth it!

As always… click the picture above to see the entire photo album :)

Sara Bartell liked this post
Posted in Exploring Colorado
Tagged , , | 2 Comments

State Forest State Park

State Forest State Park

State Forest State Park

Spring wildflowers, dead trees (Pine beetle devastation), gorgeous lakes, babbling brooks, awesome wildlife, exhilarating trails, off-road fun, excellent camping, geocaching… just a few of the things that describe State Forest State Park. Though we never stopped to fish, we enjoyed hiking in the rain, a bit of 4WD Fun, seeking out our first ever geocaches (we located 5 cache sites and 1 travel bug), backcountry camping, and viewing wildlife (1 bear, 4 moose, a huge elk herd, a picnicking fox, and other “standard fare” such as birds, squirrels, chipmunks etc).

Lisa Moritz Bond liked this post
Posted in Colorado State Parks
Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Hiking Mueller State Park

Mueller State Park

Mueller State Park

Muller is the 12th State Park we have visited this summer. We enjoyed rolling thunder and spidering lightening along with a light drizzle throughout our hike through the woods…Note, the rain was not a bad thing! The trails we took had a lot of elevation climbs so the cooler weather was welcomed as was the empty trails. It turned out to be a great hike for contemplations ;)

Lisa Moritz Bond liked this post
Posted in Colorado State Parks
1 Comment

Great Horned Owls

Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owl

We are now spotting Great Horned Owls in the yard almost daily. I’ve seen as many as four at one time so they are certainly nesting on the property or very nearby. I’ve seen them bathe in the pond and share some ‘tasty treats’ (field mice) with one another. We also hear their screeches and hoots throughout the days and nights. I can only hope they help to protect the gardens!

Sara Bartell liked this post
Posted in Misc Ramblings
3 Comments

Hanging Lake Trail

Hanging Lake

Hanging Lake

Though it’s not a state park, we couldn’t resist taking the Hanging Lake Trail in Glenwood Canyon to Spouting Rock and Hanging Lake. Wow, the water is flowing fast right now!! The lake is as beautiful, tranquil, and sparkling as always and spouting rock was spouting 9 waterfalls as opposed to the one I saw the last time we visited. The trail is TOUGH as it increases over 1,000 feet in elevation over 1.2 miles but the cascading waterfalls that flow next to the trail along with the enormous amount of shade provided by the towering Ponderosa pines make the trail fun and breathtaking in more ways than one ;)

Posted in Exploring Colorado
5 Comments