2021 was the year of trying to be thankful for what I have. Easier said than done when plan after plan was cancelled due to weather, health issues, or the everlasting Covid-19. But I was still able to go on a few short trips with friends, and of course hike a ton. January - my …
We decided to take it easy on Sunday and explore some of the local sites near Allie's parents' house in Alma. First up was the Magnolia Mill and Montgomery Reservoir. This site is right off Highway 9 between Alma and Breckenridge, just below Hoosier Pass. I have driven past countless times without stopping, but it's …
Continue reading The Magnolia Mill & Montgomery Reservoir | Colorado | 06/06/21
Antora Peak (13,269') | Rio Grande National Forest Villa Grove, CO | 06/05/21 | 5.86 miles | 2,621' gain | YDS Class 2 It was dry, dry, dry down in the southern half of the state, so Allie and I planned to hike an easy 13er down by the San Luis Valley. Antora Peak was …
Continue reading Antora Peak (13,269′) | Colorado | 06/05/21
Chicago Lakes | Mount Evans Wilderness & Arapaho National Forest Idaho Springs, CO | 06/03/21 | 10.04 miles | 1,862' gain Mid-June typically marks my transition from low-elevation winter hikes to high-elevation summer hikes. There's usually still a bit of snow to contend with, but this spring was pretty dry and early June was already …
Mount McConnel (8,020') | Cache la Poudre Wilderness & Roosevelt National Forest Livermore, CO | 05/27/21 | 4.98 miles | 1,577' gain | YDS Class 2+ Although it's not all that far from me, I hadn't explored very far up the Poudre Canyon (SH 14). It seems that it's always been my friend Tori suggesting …
Continue reading Mount McConnel (8,020′) | Colorado | 05/27/21
Stone Mountain (7,625') | Viestenz-Smith Mountain Park Loveland, CO | 05/15/21 | 8.23 miles | 2,144' gain Stone Mountain is one of my favorite local peaks. I'd climbed it a few times before but not since the winter of '18-'19. It's amazing how much has changed in the past few years! I set out from …
Continue reading Stone Mountain (7,625′) | Colorado | 05/15/21
Estes Cone (11,006') | Rocky Mountain National Park Estes Park, CO | 05/08/21 | 6.71 miles | 2,003' gain In an effort to avoid a ton of fresh snow, Diana and I searched for a hike that was missed by a recent spring snowstorm. The Estes Park area seemed to be outside the storm's reach, …
Coulson Gulch | Roosevelt National Forest Lyons, CO | 05/06/21 | 6.12 miles | 1,070' gain Coulson Gulch had been on my list for a long time. I'd originally planned to hike just the standard six-mile out & back trail, but after some further research, it looked like I could complete a loop around North …
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: South Rim Overlooks Montrose, CO | 05/02/21 On my way home from Montrose, I wanted to stop at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Of Colorado's four (4) National Parks, Black Canyon was the only one I hadn't yet visited, so it was a high priority. Since …
Continue reading Black Canyon of the Gunnison: South Rim Overlooks | Colorado | 05/02/21
Ouray Perimeter Trail | Uncompahgre National Forest Ouray, CO | 05/01/21 | 6.36 miles | 1,763' gain Allie and I decided to spend our only full day together in Ouray; hiking, eating, and warm spring soaking. We'd both done a bit of hiking around town but neither of us had completed the Ouray Perimeter Trail, …
Continue reading Ouray Perimeter Trail | Colorado | 05/01/21
Colorado Chelsea 