We headed up to their abode on Friday night, so we could start at dawn on Saturday. I didn't wake til 8:30, so that plan was shot. Sean and I proved to be most ignorant in the ways of mountaineering. Fortunately the patient kindness of the Rogstad's was proved as they gently shepherded us. The St. Vrain trailhead is about a 15 minute drive outside of the sleepy mountain town of Jamestown, CO, which is just northwest of Boulder. The Lord Almighty smiled upon us and permitted us to have great weather! We parked and hiked in only about 15 min and we found our perfect campsite right alongside a crystal clear stream. While there were lots of cars at the trailhead, we didn't have to compete with too many campers. It was nice and quiet and just what we all needed.
Catching some rays before our hike
The fallen logs made it easy to get across the stream
After about a 3 mile hike, we made it to the top of the trail. Great views!
Our mountaineers
When we set up camp, we didn't see that this branch was barely hanging on. Instead of uprooting our tent spikes (which would've been much easier), we sent the boys up to machete the branch down so we wouldn't be smashed in the middle of the night. This made for an interesting 30 minutes.
Aaron held back the branch while Sean chopped at it. In the end, Aaron used his mountain muscles and brought the beast of a branch down so Sean and I wouldn't be smunched in the night.
We enjoyed a delicious feast of steak fajitas for dinner at our campsite using Mr. and Mrs. REI's campstove and equipment. Our breakfast was hot coffee (thanks to Starbucks' delicious VIA instant coffee), oatmeal and granola bars. Alison proceeded to filter (using a pump) our water from the gentle stream to keep us all from getting giardia. I told her that I am a farm girl and no parasite could infect me. She cautioned me as a wise mountain woman would, that lest I have diarrhea on the ride home, I should drink her purified water. Ah, the old wisdom from such a young lass. The water was like drinking straight from the streams of the Gods. Fortunately, no bouts of stomach illness arose.
Yes, friends.... I did wear ankle high hiking boots with capri stretch pants. It was only fitting because of my greasy locks that were but only hours from becoming dreds. I told Alison that I would look more like a local if she and I held hands. If you understand the Boulder population, this will make sense.
We headed to Estes Park, CO to get some delicious treats and more coffee. While we didn't die in our sleep from a falling branch, the rocks beneath our sleeping pads, made for a disrupted slumber. Our expedition leader, Aaron "The Grizzly" Rogstad, needed multiple cups to keep his 'bear like' demeanor under control. This is but a compliment my friends! He is part Bear Grylls, MacGyver, and Chuck Norris all in one man. To keep that kind of energy at a slow boil must be exhausting. We could not have fared as well as we did on our expedition if it was not for his fearless guidance. The coffee was but a small price to pay for such excellence.
This is the famous Stanley Hotel. The book, 'The Shining' by Stephen King, was inspired by this haunted hotel. While it was gorgeous, it did have an air of creepiness about it.
I don't think the ominous thunder clouds helped with this scene.
Beautiful!
Her fear was all a rouse. She, like her spouse, is a fearless creature.
The hotel does provide psychic readings. Phew! That makes
staying in a haunted room sound much more inviting!
The view of Long's Peak and other surrounding mountains.
"The Grizzly" doesn't use a compass to orient himself. He uses the ways of his ancestors. This device on the other hand, shows you which mountain you are looking at. Aaron typically just bent his ear to the ground to hear which mountain spoke to him. He used this rudimentary device to show us laymen how to navigate the treacherous Rocky Mountains.
Aaron and Alison, enjoying a moment alone.
Sean stunned this ram with his good looks. It instantly turned to stone.
All good hippies love some glass blowing.
A nice stroll around the bustling mountain town. Beautiful way to end our trip to the mountains.
We are so thankful to be living the Springs! We are close to good friends and amazing nature adventures. We are also thankful for our guides, who put up with our ignorance. :)
Next weekend, we will tackle "The Manitou Incline" in Manitou Springs, CO, which is just outside Colorado Springs. It will be a test of endurance, skill and above all perseverance in the face of fear!
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