Colorado 2016

A 12-day adventure by Cathy Read more

Follow Insights Calendar Share

Newest first

Footprints
Photos

Trip start
September 2, 2016
Colorado 2016 Cathy Duguay
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 1
Friday, September 2, 2016 at 8:10 AM
🌧 25 °C
Altitude: 36 ft
United States Tampa International Airport 27.982458, -82.53210427°58’57” N 82°31’56” W
Avoiding the hurricane
September 2, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 25 °C
Hurricane Hermine hit north Florida overnight but that didn't hinder our travel plans. A little rough weather, and a closed Skyway Bridge, but we got to the airport on time.
0 likes
Colorado 2016 Cathy Duguay
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 1
Friday, September 2, 2016 at 1:08 PM
⛅ 24 °C
Altitude: 5,397 ft
United States Redeemer Community Church 39.762199, -105.03504939°45’44” N 105°2’6” W
Wild goose chase & lunch
September 2, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Larry wanted to get a pair of hiking pants in case it was chilly in CO, so after picking up the car rental, we made our way to a store which Goggle rated as our best choice for hiking clothes. Located in historic Highland, an area I dubbed Hipsterville, the store was a small boutique with 6 pairs of hiking type pants, none if which were Larry's size. We decided to grab some lunch & enjoyed yummy sandwiches at the Salt & Grinder.Read more
0 likes
Colorado 2016 Cathy Duguay
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 1
Friday, September 2, 2016 at 9:18 PM
🌙 14 °C
Altitude: 7,323 ft
United States Dry Park 39.42223, -107.30062139°25’20” N 107°18’2” W
Glenwood Springs
September 2, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 14 °C
So excited to see Nikki, we got a quick tour of her school & hit the road for Glenwood Springs. Turns out that Doc Holliday "retired" to the town for health reasons so it has an interesting history. As usual we can count on Nikki for so many nuggets of info. Our Airbnb was on a farm & we met puppies on our arrival. We enjoyed the view & a beer and explored the cute, modern, & comfortable apt. we will call home for the next couple days.Read more
0 likes
Colorado 2016 Cathy Duguay
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 2
Saturday, September 3, 2016 at 11:08 AM
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 6,358 ft
United States No Name 39.572205, -107.29195439°34’20” N 107°17’31” W
No Name/ Jess Weaver Trail
September 3, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
After some research, Nikki found the perfect warm up hike, Jess Weaver Trail in a community called No Name. Located near the water treatment plant, the trail followed a rushing river and had us crossing overturned logs as we climbed along its banks. Our reward was a great view of the pass & waterfall.Read more
0 likes
Colorado 2016 Cathy Duguay
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 3
Sunday, September 4, 2016 at 9:22 AM
☁️ 10 °C
Altitude: 8,081 ft
United States Sterner Gulch 39.181606, -106.85654439°10’54” N 106°51’24” W
Aspen & Maroon Bells
September 4, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C
Our trip began with an informative lecture by our very laid back bus driver. We learned about the history of the area, spied a coyote sauntering through a meadow and saw several llamas as we made our way to the top. Our first spectacular view was of Maroon Lake, the most photographed spot in CO. No picture could capture the magnificence of these mountains.
We decided we were up for the challenge of the "moderate" 1.8 mike hike to Crater Lake and set off on the somewhat muddy and increasingly steep trail.Read more
0 likes
Colorado 2016 Cathy Duguay
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 3
Sunday, September 4, 2016 at 1:00 PM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 10,118 ft
United States Crater Lake 39.085155, -106.96702639°5’7” N 106°58’1” W
Crater Lake
September 4, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
We needed several stops to literally catch our breath as we hiked onward & upward but there was a breathtaking view around every corner to photograph. Crater Lake was a perfect spot for our granola bar picnic. The hike down was much quicker and both Larry & Nikki snagged a rock for their collectionsRead more
0 likes
Colorado 2016 Cathy Duguay
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 4
Monday, September 5, 2016 at 11:26 AM
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 5,860 ft
United States South Canyon Hot Springs 39.553703, -107.41085839°33’13” N 107°24’39” W
Hidden hot springs & Cont. Div.
September 5, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Nikki's guidebook mentioned a local hidden hot springs that was definitely off the beaten track. We were greeted by a bunch of hippies, apparently living on a bus, who directed us down the path to the small pond. We enjoyed a half hour soak, serenaded by the somewhat monotone melodies of the bus dwellers but otherwise in perfect serenity.
We happened upon Loveland Pass on the Continental Divide on our way back to Denver. Despite the chilly temps & no bathroom facilities, we stopped for a photo op.Read more
0 likes
Colorado 2016 Cathy Duguay
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 5
Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at 11:55 AM
⛅ 20 °C
Altitude: 5,381 ft
United States Denver Botanic Gardens 39.732471, -104.96109839°43’57” N 104°57’40” W
Botanical Gardens
September 6, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Our relaxing day in Denver included a walk to and around the Botanical Gardens. We saw plants from around the world and learned about some interesting sculpture. My favorite section was the riot of color in the rose garden. Lunch at Snarf's, where they have the best sandwiches in the world. It was very tasty
We walked to Nikki's apartment and then to dinner at Angelo's. Urban hiking - we logged 7.6 miles on my fitbit, the most so far on this trip.Read more
0 likes
Colorado 2016 Cathy Duguay
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 6
Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at 2:00 PM
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 8,901 ft
United States Little Vasques Creek 39.916336, -105.79203839°54’59” N 105°47’31” W
Mimi's cabin
September 7, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
On our way to Winter Park, we stopped at Berthoud Pass on the Continental Divide and, of course, another photo.
We were very pleased with Mimi's Cabin, our rental for the rest of the week. Comfortable and rustic with a lovely view of the mountains and close to the many hiking trails in the area, it was just about perfect. We enjoyed some drinks on the porch then a brisk walk uphill to marvel at the McMansions and their views along the ridge. We ate the best bbq'd burgers and had a few more drinks on the now chilly deck, then retreated inside to warm up in front of the cozy fire.Read more
0 likes
Colorado 2016 Cathy Duguay
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 7
Thursday, September 8, 2016 at 1:35 PM
☀️ 20 °C
Altitude: 8,845 ft
United States Crooked Creek Supply Ditch 39.925877, -105.85876539°55’33” N 105°51’32” W
Creekside Loop Trail
September 8, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
The 5 mile Creekside/Flume Trail recommended at the Visitors Center was just the right difficulty. We hiked along the river and through meadows and forests enjoying the beginning of the fall colors and some beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.Read more
0 likes
Colorado 2016 Cathy Duguay
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 8
Friday, September 9, 2016 at 11:16 AM
☀️ 15 °C
Altitude: 8,885 ft
United States West Elk Creek 39.918854, -105.83291639°55’8” N 105°49’58” W
Elk Meadow Sunken Bridge Trail
September 9, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
We headed out on a crisp morning to tackle what proved to be a challenging 6.5 mile hike. We found a beautiful meadow with magnificent views of the mountains where others had boondoggled and sat to enjoy a snack and the view before crossing Sunken Bridge. The climb following the bridge was steep & rocky but we persevered only to continue to climb on the road until we found the trail head for Zoom & downhill from there. Definitely a feeling of accomplishment.Read more
0 likes
Colorado 2016 Cathy Duguay
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 9
Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 4:27 PM
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 8,901 ft
United States Little Vasques Creek 39.91637, -105.79185539°54’59” N 105°47’31” W
Sunset Trail
September 10, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
I found this trail on my quest to capture a mountain sunset and it was perfect for a morning hike with Nikki, Arianne, Emily & Shannon. We spent the rest of our last day enjoying our beautiful view & watching college football with NikkiRead more
0 likes
Colorado 2016 Cathy Duguay
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 10
Sunday, September 11, 2016 at 3:00 PM
☀️ 18 °C
Altitude: 11,053 ft
United States Berthoud Pass 39.792706, -105.77822139°47’34” N 105°46’42” W
Berthoud Pass Hike
September 11, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Sad to leave Mimi's but we got on the road bright & early. We spotted a moose on the side of the road on our way out of Winter Park. We stopped at the pass for a short hike that took us high into the mountain and enjoyed some amazing scenery. Then it was on to Denver where we acted like millennial's by spending the afternoon in a bar watching Sunday football & drinking beer.Read more
0 likes
Colorado 2016 Cathy Duguay
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 10
Sunday, September 11, 2016 at 11:54 PM
🌙 18 °C
Altitude: 6,365 ft
United States Red Rocks Park 39.666653, -105.20524639°39’60” N 105°12’19” W
Red Rocks Amphitheater
September 11, 2016 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 18 °C
The last hurrah in Colorado was the OAR concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater. It was quite a workout even getting to our seats and Nikki & I made several hikes to the top for the best views. It was a beautiful spot to enjoy the music, the scenery, and a little people watching.Read more
0 likes
Colorado 2016 Cathy Duguay
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 11
Monday, September 12, 2016
⛅ 30 °C
Altitude: 36 ft
United States Wolf Slough 27.415625, -82.42847427°24’56” N 82°25’43” W
Home
September 12, 2016 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Monday morning and an uneventful trip home. On our drive toward Bradenton, we caught sight of a beautiful rainbow. We got to pick up Kolby a day early and his excitement was a great welcome home.
0 likes
Trip end
September 13, 2016