April 28th, 2007 - Round Top Mountain

In my quest for foothill hikes, I often end up doing many of the same places.

I love these places. Places that are always interesting and make me realize how much I love where I live.

But sometimes, you need to see something different.

My friend Nahum and I consulted the "shaman" of Front Range hiking; our good friend Dave Becher. Dave knows the Front Range trails better than anyone I met. You don't need a guidebook, you just consult Dave! He's been hiking in the area since he was on his parents' back and even worked at the YMCA of the Rockies (whose property abuts Rocky Mountain National Park).

Dave suggested to Nahum and I a place called Round Top mountain. Maybe an hour's drive away. Unique views north of the divide. And a place where Nahum and I have not been!

Perfect.

I picked up Nahum Saturday morning and met some other friends. We then drove up to Loveland and turned up the highway on the way to Estes Park. Soon we reached the trail head.

The climb was moderate with many views of the surrounding foothills. On this clear and sunny day, we could see the edge of the High Plains. As we climbed higher could see the Mummy Range and Longs Peak.


One of the "highlights" for Nahum and I both was the "Biblically Correct" sign that someone made. Someone took umbrage at the 60 million years and replaced it with "Six thousand". Gave both of us a chuckle!

A relaxing day with somewhere different to explore. Looking at the divide, I am ready to explore the high country again. Not much longer.

All the photos

April 22nd, 2007 - Golden Gate Canyon

A rather relaxed stroll with a visit to an old homestead.

Sometimes hikes don't have to be difficult, or esp. gorgeous or even memorable.

The simple act of walking with friends in a pretty area is often enough.

I've done grander hikes. I've done more difficult hikes.

But each hike adds to my overall memories of times I've had outside.

And each memory is treasured.

What else to say? Life ain't bad. Not bad at all.

View of the old homestead

April 21st, 2007- Lost Lake with the Zapins

As a person in his early 30s, I am seeing much transition in my life.

Part of the transition is that many of my friends are now married and starting to have families.

Having wandered on and off for the better part of a decade, my life has taken a different course than many of my peers.

Instead of a career, I've had a series of jobs to pay for my hikes.

I do not own a home, but have purchased a new shelter recently.

For the first time in over six years, I now own a vehicle.

And now that my friends are entering a different stage of life, their time is understandably limited.

As such, it it easier for me to work my schedule around their free time than the other way around.

On April 21st, I accompanied the Zapins (Marni, Josh, Avery and their dog Traveler) on a three mile hike to Lost Lake. Avery is almost 8 mos old now and is quite comfortable in his carrier. Josh and Marni want to make sure that the outdoors and the love of nature is large part of Avery's upbringing. I also feel honored when I tag along on these outings.

Marni and Josh are two of my closest friends in Boulder. What started off as a "fun run" one New Years Eve over 4 years ago has grown into a strong friendship. I've shared holidays with them, been to many awesome places and have had discussions that go beyond just spending time together on a hike or a run. After Avery was born, Marni and Josh started referring to me as "Uncle Mags". Truth be told, Avery has become an adopted "nephew" to me.

So, I was delighted to spend some time with them.

The hike was moderate, but always more challenging when a little one is on the hike. The hike was also a little more challenging due to the snow around the lake. No matter. The little guy enjoyed the hike. He was laughing and smiling (and sleeping!) . Here is a boy that will grow to love the outdoors.

The Zapin family at Lost Lake

After spending some time at the lake, flurries picked up. We headed down. Afterwards, we all headed to the Southern Sun for a brew and food.

Since going on this hike, I've been thinking. I will be 33 in a few weeks. Hardly old. But I am getting older.

I've made choices in my life . Choices that are not conventional. Because of these choices I have made, life is a lot different than I would have imagined since taking that first backpacking trip in 1996.

That trip was a watershed moment in my life. It lead to hiking the Appalachian Trail two years later. Doing the AT lead to me moving to Colorado and wanting to do other trails.

As I see my friends starting their own families, I think of the choices I made in my life. There is one choice that leads to me not taking that backpacking trip that weekend. I'm still in Rhode Island along with the rest of my (large) family. Another choice lead to not doing the PCT in 2002 and staying with the company I was working for at the time. I might be in Portland, OR now; making considerably more money but deep in the corporate world. And so on...

All choices that lead to somewhere different.

As I approach my mid-30s, I wonder what choices I may make now that will affect my future. Do I settle down a bit? Do I continue my wandering ways?

When I did the CDT last year, I could not help but think about the need for a community in my life...but still have this urge to wander and explore. I have yet to reconcile these very different, but equal, pulls in my life.

I enjoy the time spent with my friends. By spending time with my friends who now have a family, I am seeing what my life could have been like. It is not better or worse..but definitely different from the way my life is now.

All choices involve sacrifice. The key is to make the sacrifices that will make the life the most fulfilling for each individual. My question still remains for me: What sacrifices do I want to make and for what ends? The simple answer is: I still don't know.

All the photos (Many pics of the little guy! :D)

April 14th, 2007- The Boulder Grand Slam

The Boulder Grand Slam is a route that takes in the ridge line of the Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks system.

On this hike, we start at the Sanitas trailhead and proceed to Sanitas, Anemone, Red Rocks, Flagstaff, Green, Bear and South Boulder peak. A total of ~18 miles and 8500' elev gain.

Looking down the Valley Trail towards Bear and S. Boulder peaks. The end of the day's journey.

The hike is a fantastic way to have an adventure within city limits.

We did the hike last year and had a wonderful time. This year we competed with a dumping of fresh powder in the high country! Half the people bailed to go snowboarding or skiing.

This time of the year always shows where a person's true passion lie. If you are a die hard skiier/snowboarder (be it backcountry or (ack)! resort), you are looking for that last stash of powder. One more time to carve turns and glide along the snow.

If you are passionate about hiking or trail running, you are looking for the first trails to open up. You want to wear shorts, put on some trail shoes and explore the mountains with as little as possible.

Spring means renewal for me. The wildflowers are out. The sun is shining. The breeze carries the smells of life beginning a new. I no longer want to play in the snow.

We could not have asked for a better day. The weather perfect! Being a smaller group than last year, we did a quicker pace. No matter how many times I hike in the foothills, I never tire of them. I am grateful for where I live and the places I can see from my backyard.

After this jaunt, the group of us went to The Taj for a much appreciated AYCE Indian food buffet!

All the photos