Bierstadt was my first.
Back in 2019, while training for a hike to Machu Picchu, I climbed my first 14-er. Bierstadt. Alone, at the crack of dawn, in a biting cold wind. The trail was almost empty that day.
Today, looking for a hike that gave me uphill and downhill practice and altitude exposure, I choose Bierstadt again.
At 6am, BOTH parking lots near the trailhead were almost full. It was Friday, we were expecting rain - then thunderstorms - and school was back in session. I was a little surprised.
But by 6:15am, I was on my way. The sky was starting to glow, the leaves had a hint of changing color in them and as usual, I stopped a lot to capture some of the beauty. The boardwalk sections were icy! These early morning moments don't last and will never be repeated in the same way tomorrow.
I had high hopes for today. EVERY SINGLE 14-er this year had promised me a mountain goat sighting... and none had materialized. I was the goat-repellant of Colorado!
And then it happened - not close - but goats, none-the-less!! Big goats and baby goats... goats disappearing over a cliff. LOL
It was nice to stretch my legs, leave some emotional baggage on the trail once again and head off to the Minturn area. Sue would be on her way up soon and had booked us a stay at a cute historic hotel in Red Cliff. A weird but wonderful little village of 280 people, tucked into a valley convenient to the Vail area but the vibe was more like a mining community - somewhere that time had forgotten in many ways.
Saturdays hike was chosen for length but not altitude. We did an out and back on the Colorado Trail, Segment 9. Walking 11 miles through peaceful forest on a soft trail lined with organic material, sunlight filtering through the tall canopy was a different kind of therapeutic. Gentle.
Lunch-Dinner in Minturn at the Saloon was the reward. Holy Hatch-pepper mac-n-cheese! And that garden salad with jicama and whatnot. Hello!!!
We followed it with an evening of wine and sweet potato fries on the 3rd floor wrap around deck of the Green Bridge Inn. Fabulous and fascinating is how I would describe the people-watching. What a freakin' interesting little community!
Final day of the mini getaway: A hike from Twin Lakes to Lily Pond. What a delightful surprise! The top of this 1000 foot climb over 3 miles is a series of dammed ponds and beaver lodges. Lots of "in progress" logging going on by what has to be a very healthy community of industrious beavers. I loved this hike. It was the path less traveled. From the gorgeous views over Twin Lakes to the watery reflections, it was a place I could stay all day. Sadly no actual beaver sightings were had. Boo!
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