July 30th - Sounding my barbaric yawp...

Over the years I have come to enjoy night hiking.

There is something magical about night hiking.

The sun sets, the mountains are lit with the last light of dusk.

Elk and deer are grazing.

The surrouding land has a stillness about it that you just don't get during the day.

Last night I did a full moon hike of Mt. Audubon.

This non-technical 13er is very popular. And for good reason. Awesome views of the Continental Divide and the ever present Longs Peak. Easy approach and gradual trail for all but the last ~1/2 mile.

As such, it is almost always busy on a weekend.

At night? We had it to ourselves.

The hike started at dusk and we popped out at treeline shortly before the moon rose above the clouds. Once the moon rose above the clouds the terrain was simply awesome. The silver light splashed over the rocks and tundra. Deep shadows were formed by the mountains surrounding us. The stars were above. A headlamp was not needed at all.

We made it to the summit, enjoyed the fine views and could not believe our good fortune in terms of the weather. Not too cold, not windy at all, the moon was not obscured by clouds.

After enjoying the summit, we made it back down the trail and and into the woods. Picas went EEEP as we headed down. Made it back to the car and drove back to Boulder and into the early morning hours.

Last night was easily one my most memorable nights of hiking.

If you have never walked by the light of the full moon, you really should. It is unique, powerful and memorable way to spend time in the outdoors.

The moon should still be bright tonight...what are you waiting for?


I also wrote a quick article about night hiking that was published recently as well.

Continental Divide Trail Alliance Trail Fest Weekend (7/21 - 7/23)

The following was originally posted on CDT-L and will be in the ALDHA newsletter.
Ready edited my quick post and made it a bit more...readable. :)


I drove with my buddy d-low and a woman named Heather, from Boulder to Buena Vista, CO, for the annual
CDTA Trail Fest. Trail Fest, a celebration of the CDT took place July 21st- 23rd. It featured an
entire weekend of educational and recreational opportnities, offering information booths,
guided  trips, and [the main reason why I went] trail work projects. The particular project we were
looking forward to involved constructing new tread at Cottonwood Pass.

It was overcast that first day and we were wondering if it was going to rain while we
worked. Luckily it did not. The day involved  moving rocks (lots of rocks!), constructing
the  tread, and of course, enjoying the views.

Even on  an overcast day you can't help but marvel at the views from the Divide. Late afternoon we all
packed up, drove to the main campsite, ate ,e then sat around the campfire enjoying good company.
Besides the incredible scenery, you meet some really nice people on these projects.

The rain held off till nighttime, but is there  anything more relaxing than listening to rain on a tent?

The following day (Saturday) was the volunteers' free day, if you will. A few went on guided
trips or worked at the Fest itself down in Buena Vista.

A good chunk of us from the Cottonwood  project spent the day constructing new tread near
Interlaken on the CDT/Colorado Trail. The new tread will take hikers off the road and
around Twin Lakes. Together, we busted out the  trail, finishing early. I must say it came out
rather  well. We drove back to the Fest, treated ourselves to some beer (yay! beer!), had some
food at "Taste of the Trail," where we  enjoyed  the music and more good conversation. Later
in  the evening, quite a few us luxuriated in some  soaking at Cottonwood Springs. Ahhhhh!

On Sunday morning we drove back up to  Cottonwood  Pass for a last day on the project. We could
not have asked for a more glorious day: sunny, with  vistas extending well down the Divide -- much
better than the view I get from my desk! By the  end of the day, we had constructed about
2000' of  new trail. Combining that with the work from  Saturday, I’d certainly say it was a
productive weekend!

We all drove back to Boulder, had some awesome Lebanese food at Ali Baba's Grill.
(One  of my friends from Israel and another from Iran  swear by this place. “Best humus around!”) I
put  off - for several days - my least favorite part  of any trip: UNPACKING! Blecch! Damp gear,
sweat soaked clothes, and shoes that desperately  need  to be aired out...well, enough said. "Ah, but,"
I  muse, "it was well worth it." It was an  extremely enjoyable weekend.


Some pics from the weekend (almost all from  the Cottonwood Pass area)

Just Jubiliating in July

July was also a fun month!

Estes Cone on July 1st
A another nice little hike. There is new trail from Lily Lake that is switchbacked
with good views. Tried a new (to me) family-style Mexican restaurant call Sol Azteca. It reminded me of the family-style Italian restaurants back East: no frills, not expensive, good and solid food. Sangria after a hot day of hiking is wonderful!



Indian Peaks Divide Walk 7/4
Above treeline and off trail splendor in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Lots of wildflowers, great views and few people considering it was holiday. Good stuff!


Mt. Audobon 7/7
I just wanted a quick walk and to get high (in the elevation sense!). A classic hike to over 13000'.


The hike of many lakes! 7/8
Six lakes in 15 miles. What's not to like? Another trip with sangria afterwards.



Wild Basin 7/15
Another mainly off-trail jaunt that took us to the Continental Divide. About twenty miles. More awesome views. Lots of alpine lakes, too.

Lordy, Lordy..it's been a while JUNE UPDATE

Time flies when you are having fun.

Really, I have been hiking, backpacking and all the good things in life. :)

JUNE

Trailwork at the Devil's Head Project for Vounteers for Outdoor Colorado (6/2-6/3)
A wonderful weekend of building steps and rock walls, pounding rebar and drinking beer.

Twin Sisters (6/9)
A great shoulder season hike with the typical views toward Longs, the Divide and the Mummy Range.


Another VOC project on 6/16
A youth project. I'm not that youthful, but two of my friends were crew leads. Besides, there was pizza and ice cream at the end of the day! Rootbeer floats made with Ben and Jerry's ice cream rocks!

Lollygagging in the Lumpies 6/17
The Lumpy Ridge is another early season hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. A nice loop with good views, a great lake to chill at the end of the day and a requisite visit to Oskar Blues at the end of the hike.

Beginners Backpacking Trip 6/23 - 6/24
A trip I organize to the Lost Creek Wilderness. A great introductory trip for people new to Colorado and/or the outdoors. Good scenery, nice camp fire, wine, great music, awesome people.
Life ain't bad at all. :) The LCW is a hidden gem in my opinion. Close to Denver...yet hardly used. Plenty of options for early and late season backpacking. Really, check it out some time.



Colorado Trail and Frozen Lake (6/3o)
Well, OK, the CT was not exactly a hike. I dropped off my good friend Disco
and his buddy Dave for the start of their Colorado Trail trek. The start of the Colorado Trail is so beautiful, exotic and wonderful!



After dropping them off, I hurried up to meet my friends for an off-trail jaunt to aptly named Frozen Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park.


On the negative side, Jess and I broke up in late June/ early July. In the immortal words of some anon. sage: "Whatchyagonnado?" If I wrote this when it happened, I could have waxed poetic about relationships ending and the meaning of it all. Since it is about 2 mos since it happened, I saved everyone that aggravation. :D