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| Hiking | 4.25 Miles |
2,460 AEG |
| | Hiking | 4.25 Miles | | | |
| 2,460 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | It's been a few years since the lovely Mrs Dilling and I have visited Lockett Meadow to see the annual aspen tree color show. We decided we better do it this past weekend or it might be too late. An early departure from Mesa and we arrived at the trailhead parking area right at sunrise. Lots of cars already there and many cars parked along the forest road that apparently car camped as well.
We started up the Inner Basin trail. The colors have peaked near the campground. The high winds lately have stripped many trees of their leaves at the beginning. However, the higher up we hiked, the better the colors were. My wife was having trouble with the elevation right before the switchbacks started and she told me to gone on ahead. I had to leave her in a horrible grove of hideous aspen trees surrounded by ugly scenery!
I did not leave her long. I made it up past the switchbacks to Waterline Road and hiked a little along there and took many, many pictures. Lots of people up here as well. I had to dodge and wait for plenty of portraits and selfie seekers, but there was plenty of road and scenery.
I started back down and the number of people in the switchback area was crazy. 100's of people enjoying the beautiful fall colors. This area was the best part of the hike for scenery for sure. I rejoined my lovely wife who had her rest, a little snack and got her own pictures in as well.
We got back to the trailhead by 1015am and started heading back to the Valley of the Sun. We wanted to miss the super crazy traffic on I-17. We did to an extent, we got the usual crazy traffic in the usual areas. No accidents, so no long delays.
A wonderful visit to an amazing place. This part of the mountain really reminds me of my younger days growing up in Colorado. |
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"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."
instagram: @andydilling |
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