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| Car Camping | |
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| | Car Camping | | 7 Days | | |
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| no partners | | After nearly 40 miles and 10,000 feet AEG, six quiet nights, and seven days in Colorado's stunning wilderness, here are my top 5 takeaways:
1) Colorado is awesome, but Arizona is home.
2) There are no ghosts, just A-hole squirrels trying to scare humans. And anyway, whiskey trumps fear.
3) In Colorado, "4wd road" and "strenuous hike" are NOT embellishments...
4) I am brave, adventurous, and independent...during daylight.
5) The trail to heaven is crowned with aspen trees.
Day 1 (Fri, 9/7) - Putz around Flag for too long; hike Crystal Point trail; drive to Cortez; late dinner at La Casita De Cortez; late camp near Madden Peak (thank you, Preston).
Day 2 (Sat, 9/8 - Putz around Durango for too long; hike Ice Lake trail (best hike ever); escape Grapes of Wrath scene along Mineral Creek by camping at Clear Lake; beer trade and whiskey with fellow campers from New Mexico; Italian sausage dinner; realize Therm-a-Rest has gaping wound.
Day 3 (Sun, 9/9 - Off day; putz around Ouray for too long; repair Therm-a-Rest; Ouray Brewery; beautiful but creepy camp site near Bridge of Heaven trailhead (d*mn squirrels); steak and asparagus dinner.
Day 4 (Mon, 9/10) - Bridge of Heaven trail (best hike ever); Ouray Hot Springs; whiskey with the squirrels; steak quesadilla dinner.
Day 5 (Tue, 9/11) - Remember 9/11; Prophyry Basin 4x4 drive/hike (best hike ever); Ophir Pass to Telluride side; Alta Lakes campground; soup dinner (and whiskey).
Day 6 (Wed, 9/12) - Putz around camp too long; risk overnighter on Sneffels Highline trail (best hike ever); pizza and beer at Brown Dog Pizza (best pizza ever?).
Day 7 (Thur, 9/13) - Putz around camp too long; looooong drive to Flag; Putz around Flag too long; Crystal Creek Super Veggie and Odell's Drumroll APA; safe drive back to the family. |
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Autumn Foliage Observation Light
Some aspen groves starting to turn. |
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| _____________________
“...wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread.”
-Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire |
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Route Editor
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