June 28th - Kenosha Mountain Traverse

On my last backpacking trip, I looked up and admired the Kenosha Range.

The mountains were rounded, broad and were open. I thought of how wonderful it would be to walk along this range. Looking at my topo in camp that evening, the map confirmed my thoughts: The range would be a very do-able, non-technical hike. The range called; I wanted to walk along the ridge and see these mountains that did not even have official names.

After a little research, it turns out that Gerry and Jenny Roach have given some unofficial, but widely accepted, names to that part of the range. Further research also confirmed my thoughts: A walk along this range would be a memorable experience.

The plan for the jaunt was to park a car at one end of the range and have another car parked at Kenosha Pass. We'd walk the ridge and also do some "bonus" peaks just before getting back to the vehicle.

Friday night, a few of us drove up to Long Gulch trail head and made camp. A creek for background noise, a campfire for ambiance, a few beers for libation and wonderful company. It was about the perfect way to spend an evening.



The following morning we packed up camp, I made some much desired coffee and started the hike. The jaunt started with an easy stroll along the Colorado Trail.

At a drainage in a meadow, we ascended to the ridge. Once on this ridge, the grandeur of the hike really opened up.

The ridge was wide open, there was no trail. The mountains were places that hardly anyone summits. We had the ridge to ourselves.

The ridge walk was stunning. Wildflowers abounded, the vistas extended in all directions and the peaks were unique.

When we reached the saddle between peaks "Y" and "Z", we could not help but just look off and soak up the well deserved views.


After soaking up the views, we proceeded Peak "Y" then to the highpoint of the day - Peak "X". Easily the hardest climb of the day..but also easily one of the sweetest spots along the ridge.

On the summit of Peak "X". Pointing to the Roach's card

After summiting Peak "X", Wendy and d-low decided to take a route that was slightly lower and featured less elevation gain. The rest of the hike continued along the broad ridge. Along the way, we spied a herd of elk along the slopes of the unnamed peaks. The route truly was a ridge walkers delight!


We more or less ended the Kenosha Range below Foster Peak, followed the valley a bit and then ascended to the last peak: North Twin Cone. The cone featured a great place to soak up the surrounding scenery. We then ascended down the dirt road, made it to the waiting cars. Just before we left, Wendy and d-low caught up with us. After a well deserved beer, we headed out.


Another great hike!

Route info: Terry GPS'd the route at just over 18 miles and 5000' elev gain. We started at Long Gulch trail head and ascended the ridge via an obvious drainage in a meadow. There was a fairly well worn use trail. You can read the descriptions of this route at Summit Post here and here.

All the photos

June 21st - Blue River Century

The Blue River Century is an event organized to raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

A 100 mile bicycle ride with the Continental Divide as a backdrop. Add some beautiful weather, and it is a wonderful event!

My friend Marie was the organizer of this event and put out a call for volunteers. Many of her friends, myself included, gladly agreed to help out.



The weekend started off on Friday morning by picking up supplies at Marie's house. From there, it was (almost) constantly being on the move. Well, I did have a quick drink while waiting at one point. ;)

A few of us setup the registration packet booth and handed out the schwag to all the eager riders.


Afterwards, we scrambled to prep up the aid station supplies, load up the trucks with supplies (pick up truck owners are popular people for events like this. :D). I think we went to bed at 11pm.

The following morning, a few us were setting up by 5 am. I'm a morning person, but that is early even by my standards! Much scrambling to get setup and everything into place.

At ~7:30 am, I drove to the aid station location. Five us then setup the supplies for the bicyclists.

I must say, with the perfect weather, beautiful location and enjoyable company, it was a great way to spend a Saturday. The bicyclists were fun to talk to and seemed to really appreciate all the goodies set up for them.


While working the aid station, I saw a gentleman walking down the bike path. He had a light pack, nylon pants, trail runners and stashed trekking poles. The thru-hiker "uniform". Looking at all the snow on the divide, I figured he was a CDT hiker doing a lower alternate route.

Working on this hunch, I asked the hiker if he was thru-hiking the CDT. Sure enough, he was! He was a bit surprised. I introduced myself as "Paul Mags"...and he smiled. He "knew" me for online discussion groups and my entries in the Yogi's Handbook.

After talking to Colter about trail for a while (and offering him oranges, brownies, bananas, etc) he headed back on his journey. I am happy with my life; but seeing a fellow long distance hiker always makes me have that wanderlust again!

After a few hours of handing out food, we broke down the aid station. I headed to other jobs to fill and finally relaxed a bit by enjoy FREE beer for the volunteers. Ah...beer. Beer is good!

Finally, the all riders came in. The last of the chores were done. All th equipment was packed up and celebrated at a local bar and grill. And at 10:30 PM? I collapsed..along with almost everyone else.

Sunday morning, "slept in" until 7:30am. Packed up one last load of items to bring back to Boulder and called it a weekend.

A wonderful, busy and fun experience. As I told Marie, I look forward to helping out again next year!


All the photos

June 18th - Full Moon Strawberry Social

A full moon. A warm summer night. Milk shakes.

All the ingredients for another enjoyable jaunt by the evening light.

According to the Algonquins, it was a Full Strawberry Moon.

What better way to celebrate a full strawberry moon that to go hiking? And bring strawberry themed food?

The chosen hike was Anemone Hill; a "forgotten" peak in Boulder. A less used than nearby Mt. Sanitas, it is a short (but steep) hike of ~2 miles and 1200' elev gain. The highlights of this hike include fantastic views from a rocky outcropping towards the Indian Peaks.

A few of us met at 9pm and did the quick, but invigorating, hike to the summit. As we approached the summit, the full moon was out in all its glory.


At the summit, I broke out the strawberry milk shakes I packed in (flavored with some peach schnapps, too! ) and we enjoyed the warm summer night.


If you have not done a full moon hike, you really should. The familiar becomes exotic; the everyday stroll becomes an event. And if you have a milkshake while looking at the peaks, life can't be all the bad...

June 15th - Estes Cone via Lily Lake

On Saturday, I just did a local hike. About 8 miles and 3000' elev gain at a quick clip made for some good exercise. The foothill wildflowers continue to amaze me and the smoothie at the end of a hot hike was just what I needed to cool off.

On Sunday, I did Estes Cone via the new trail at Lily Lake. The trail is so new that few websites have this new trail info.

The new trail offers better views of Longs Peak and meanders gently up to the base of the cone. Once at the base of the cone, the trial climbs STEEPLY to the summit.



It is well worth the climb, though. Fantastic views of Longs, the Divide and the plains far to the East. It is also accessible the full year. Makes it a perennial favorite of mine.

And afterward? I had a beer..another perennial favorite past time of mine. :)

June 8th - Walking among the Bison : Bison Peak

With the heavy snow year in Colorado, very little of the high country is open to hiking.

Lost Creek Wilderness is fairly snow free, though, and it continues to entrance me.

The wide open spaces, those gorgeous and unique looking red rocks and the views that encompass not only the Continental Divide, but also the not-so-distant Pikes Peak.

I really can't phrase the description better than local guide book author Gerry Roach:

"You can hike hours through trees, then burst upon a private universe far above roads and cities. These summits let you taste freedom and touch the sky. They will draw you back."

This past Saturday, my friends Mark, "Tall Dave" and Tara decided to join me to summit Bison Peak.

On the way up to Bison Peak

At "only" 12400', it is peak most peak baggers ignore. If you want to see few people and explore a magnificent area, I suggest this peak.

The Bison Plateau is easily one of the most beautiful places in Colorado. It is not a place of jagged peaks and snowy ranges. It is a place that is an odd mix of the subtle and surreal. Every time I go there, I can't help but think of all the variety of places near my home.

On our way to the summit. The Bison Plateau Sentinel is seen

The plateau did not disappoint. Though windy, it was sunny with clear views to be seen. The very distinctive landmark that I think of as the Bison Plateau Sentinel drew us forth. It stands on the plateau by itself. Stark red granite on the tundra.

After a bit of scrambling, we made it the top and soaked in the views before us. I normally don't care about summiting, but the views from the top of Bison are incredible.



After the mandatory summit photos, we head down the mountain and gratefully enjoyed a burger and beer in the nearby town of Bailey.


What a weekend. More great ones to come!

All the photos

June 7th, 2008 - National Trails Day

June 7th was National Trails Day.

A day to celebrate the trails we all love.

There were many events all over the country. Many of them trail work related.

For this weekend, I decided to do a project on the Colorado Trail.

This particular project really show cased the multi-recreation use of not only Colorado, but the Colorado Trail in particular. The project was sponsored by COMBA (a mountain biking group) on a section of trail they maintain. The tools were brought in by local horse packers.
And many hikers gladly took part in the trail maintenance on this Colorado gem.

I was in one of up the upper groups (about a 3-4 mile hike in) and was involved mainly in the fixing of switchbacks. The hike was in was quite nice. Wonderful views towards Lost Creek Wilderness, the Tarryall Range, the Mosquito Range (I believe) and the S. Platte River below. Wildflowers were in abundance as well. I really need to start taking my camera more on these work trips! :)

As mentioned, my project for the weekend was repairing switchbacks. Re-channeling the drainage and shoring up rock walls on the side of the trail. It involved much pick work and moving three "man size" boulders. Hard work that I really felt Sunday morning. Ooof! :)

After working hard all day, we packed up our tools and headed down to the BBQ that featured burgers, brats, chips, cookies...and BEER! Yay! Sitting by the Platte, with a beer and a brat, life was pretty good.

At this event, I was able to meet and chat with Bill Manning of the Colorado Trail Foundation. Turns out my little doc on the Colorado Trail is often sent to many people. Glad I can help in my own small way.

All in all, it was a great day. A chance to work in a beautiful place, enjoy some good company and to give back to something I love.

May 31st - June 1st : Another Lost Creek Wilderness weekend

The trip of last weekend reminded me of my love of solo backpacking.

Day hikes are wonderful. I get to see an area unencumbered by equipment. My day hikes are often how I choose to spend my social time. Experiencing the mountains and sharing the beauty that I see with others. The post hike burger/beer combo is also a great way to spend time with the people I now know so well in Colorado.

But backpacking, esp. solo, is different. To me, it is the most vivid and concentrated of outdoor experiences. What I need is on my back; all the essentials to live in a simple package. Since I am by myself, what I am experiencing is not filtered. It is only me, the mountains and the trails. When solo, everything I feel is raw and to the point. The views are a little more vaster, the challenges a little more difficult, the rewards a bit more felt. Solo amplifies the feelings, the thoughts and sensations. Solo backpacking immerses yourself in the wilderness like no other activity I have done . Solo hiking can be difficult. It can be challenging. But, for me, it is the the way I feel most content in the wilderness setting.

With these thoughts in mind, I set off again for the Lost Creek Wilderness (LCW). I knew my route would be difficult due to the lingering snow pack; I did not realize how difficult it was going to be overall!

I started the weekend off by hiking on the well marked, maintained and gradual grade of the Colorado Trail. The Colorado Trail skirts around the best parts of the LCW in my opinion. Still, the parts it does take in are nice. Vast meadows and silent, stately groves of aspen. If last weekend was one of striking vistas, this weekend would prove to be one of subtle, but rewarding, sights.


Once off the Colorado Trail, the "fun" began. Up high (11k ft plus and on north facing trails), there was still much snow pack. Enough snow pack to the point where the trail was difficult to follow. As with last weekend, I decided to go off trail and take compass bearings. By a combination of good luck and skill, landed right below the junction of the two trails I wanted to hook up with in Craig Park.

Craig Park was expansive. I sat down by the creek and just soaked up the scenery for an unknown period of time. It was peaceful and grand. The sound of the creek was perhaps the best sound to accompany how I felt at that moment in time.


The rumbling of my stomach and the time of the day told me it was time to make camp.

At camp, I could not help but notice how scratched up my legs were from all the post-holing. Old
snow can be like tiny razor blades on the legs. Ouch! I was too lazy/stubborn/stupid to not put on my long underwear. :O

My legs on the first day. They were even gnarlier on day two!

The following morning again proved to be interesting for similar reasons. More post-holing in north facing slopes along with map and compass work. Rather than try to follow the north facing trail, I bushwhacked down to a creek, hooked up with an older, non-maintained trail down to the wilderness boundary. I then bushwhacked again up a small rise to the maintained trail at the lower elevation. Phew! Made for some slow going, but definitely faster than trying to find the trail through the snow. Once on the real trail again, life was a bit easier.

Back on the real trail and in the LCW.
Playing around with my b-day gift from the Zapins: A Gorilla Pod. [1]

The rest of the trip was uneventful. Had some good views and enjoyed the walk through Craigs Meadow. After a longish climb, made my way back to the Colorado Trail and had an easy, gradually downhill, walk back to the trailhead. Changed into comfy cotton, made my way back to the highway and wolfed down vast amounts of food at Wendy's. I normally don't eat fastfood...but when you are hungry EVERYTHING tastes good. :)

As I write this report, I am already thinking about my next jaunt. I can't wait to get out again. There is something about backpacking that keeps on beckoning to me. Keeps on making me want to be out for not just for a day or even a weekend...but for longer. As John Muir once said " The mountains are calling, and I must go".

All the photos

[1] The Gorilla Pod was given to me as a birthday present. Marni and Josh both said that enjoy my photos, but I am never in any of them! A little heavy for a camera accessory (~1.5 oz), but VERY versatile. Unlike an ultrapod, it can grip around many items (like the hiking pole in my photo) and can level off easily. It is a great accessory if you are into photo taking and/or hike solo. It was a GREAT gift! One that I will get much use out of. Thanks to the Zapin family for such a thoughtful gift! :)