Western Pilgrimage Pt. VII: CO
A stoic co-pilot #2. US HWY 40, CO. 2011.8
Proper bike-theft prevention. Steamboat Springs, CO. 2011.8
This is the 'Boat. Routt County, CO. 2011.8
Rural Routt County, CO. 2011.8
Routt County yurt lifestyle. 2011.8
Routt county rural substrate. 2011.8
Into the aspen groves. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, Routt NF, CO. 2011.8
Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria). Mount Zirkel Wilderness, Routt NF, CO. 2011.8
Unidentified seed pod. Mica basin, Mount Zirkel Wilderness. Routt NF, CO. 2011.8
Alpine hiking is hard work. Mica basin, Mount Zirkel Wilderness. Routt NF, CO. 2011.8
Fine place for a camp. Mica basin. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
Mica Lake in all her evening glory. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
My favorite, rewarding her feet after a long hike. Mica Lake. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
Drinking water. Mica Lake. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
Captain McIntosh knows alpine campfires. Mica Basin. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
Sunrise portrait of Little Agnes in a calm Mica Lake. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
Steady as she goes, an inch at a time (Castilleja occidentalis). Mica Basin. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
Mica Basin. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
Partytime Stega, a native of Routt County, does his yoga in the Mica basin morning sunlight. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
Pico finds the important things in the alpine. Mica Basin. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
Valerian (Valeriana spp.). Mica Basin. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
Early blue violet (Viola adunca). Mica Basin. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
Favorite's favorite rock. Mica Basin. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
The sunny alpine meadows of Mica Basin are filled with fun rocks. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
A shot for the Moms. Mica Basin. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
Pico obviously had concerns about Captain McIntosh's alpine lake polar bear dip. Mica Basin. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
Mica Lake benthic view. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
Warming up after a cold dip in Mica Lake. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
State flower, Colorado columbine (Aquilegia coerulea). Mica basin. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
Scarlet paintbrush (Castilleja miniata). Mica basin. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
Captain McIntosh and afternoon light in the aspens. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
The glittery, mica-laden substrate of Gilpin Creek. Mount Zirkel Wilderness, CO. 2011.8
Near Fishcreek Falls, just outside Steamboat Springs, CO. 2011.8
The Routt County countryside can be so tiring. 2011.8
"See ya!" Steamboat Springs, CO. 2011.8
Dropping down out of South Central Wyoming lead us into the seamingly boundless high country of Northern Colorado. Family hospitality, natural hot springs and a backpacking trip to the alpine with Captain McIntosh were a welcome reprieve from the long stretches of asphalt that had brought us West. This post is about summertime Colorado lifestyle.
quiet alpine
Colorado's Elk Mountains from 40k feet at 500 mph. 2011.3
The ‘boat
Butcherknife Alley. Steamboat Springs, CO. 2011.1
An Independence Day gone a-Rye
US-412. Enid, OK. 2010.7
US-412. Clayton, NM. 2010.7
US-64/87. NM. 2010.7
Stega did not waste time finding friends once we arrived in Rye. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
In the Cuerna Verde water closet. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Outside of this guerilla photo, the infamous one-horned goat could be passed as myth. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Candlelight dinner with happy humans. Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
My favorite and Cole. Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Cole is friends with many and friends with any. Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Sunrise view of Crestone Needle's east face. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
From Broken Hand Saddle, the Crestone group's notorious gendarmes block views of Broken Hand Peak's summit. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
The view east from Crestone Needle's lofty summit, 4327 m (14197 ft). Eight a.m., Independence Day. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
Looking north up the Sangre de Cristos from Crestone Needle's lonely summit (4327 m). Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
Gendarme dividing the east and west gullies of Crestone Needle's south face. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
The view down the east gully route for perspective. Click the image (large) and try to find the climber. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
Another view up the east gully route for perspective. Again, click the image (large) and try to find the climber. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
The colorful conglomerate of the Crestone group. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
The stately Humboldt Peak, from Broken Hand Pass. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
Looking south to the Blanca group from the summit of Broken Hand Peak, 4137 m (13573 ft). Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
A foreshortened view of Crestone Needle's massive east face. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
Crestone Needle and Crestone Peak from high on Humboldt Peak's west ridge. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
Self portrait on the Humboldt Peak summit, 4286 m (14064 ft). Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
Alpine tenders at approximately 3900 m. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
More alpine tenders at approximately 3800 m. Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO. 2010.7
Wet Mountain Valley. Custer County, CO. 2010.7
Colfax Lane. Custer County, CO. 2010.7
CO HWY-96. Custer County, CO. 2010.7
Favorite lady. Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Dreamy hammock spot. Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Best hammock view ever. Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Looking east on a hike above Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Hiking with favorite. Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Another of Stega's friends from Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
The cabin had a serious hat collection. Cuerna Verde. Pueblo County, CO. 2010.7
Rye, CO. 2010.7
This post finds Stega and our adventurers setting out to celebrate their independence in colorful Colorado in July of 2010. With Hannah and Ben as our guides, Mandi and I traveled to the foothills of the Sangre de Cristos to see what a historic Cuerna Verde cabin had to offer for freedom. Black bears, World Cup matches on an 8″ TV, aspens, spectacular juxtapositions of stars and lightning, fine Colorado beer and even finer gourmet candlelight dinners, a few solo climbs in the Crestones, hikes with Cole and some real mountain hospitality were what we found. Many thanks to Hannah, Ben and Hannah’s dad Geoff for a very memorable time.
Dinos do Pyramid
You can count on OK for nice sunrises. US-412 W. 2009.8
Collegiate Peaks from US-50 W on the way in. CO. 2009.8
Seth fresh on the Continental Divide, Independence Pass, CO-82. 2009.8
Kyle fresh on the Continental Divide, Independence Pass, CO-82. Photo Credit: Seth McIntosh. 2009.8
We awoke to find we had set up our hammocks in paradise. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
Beachside flora, Maroon Creek. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
A Holga's-eye view of the classic Bells portrait. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
First summit day. Feeling the burn in the amphitheater. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
When mountains say no, they mean NO. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
Seth not thrilled about getting shut down. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
Back in the amphitheater, defeat is settling in. Photo Credit: Seth McIntosh. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
We did make a friend... American Pika (Ochotona princeps), AKA Alpine Hamster. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
Defeated... but wise dinos in the sunny amphitheater. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
Just some of the crud the thunderstorms served up after our retreat. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
After the afternoon's mayhem. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
The waterhole for the visit, complete with water-filterer's seat. Holga. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
What time is it? Look outside! It's awesome time! Summit day. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
An exposed and well documented moment on the Northeast Ridge proper, Pyramid Peak. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
Friendship at 4273 m (14018 ft), Pyramid Peak summit. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
The view we came for. Maroon Bells from the Pyramid Peak summit. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
A shot for the Moms. Seth relaxing on the Pyramid Peak summit diving board. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
Stega breathing hard on top of Pyramid Peak. Where's Bronti? Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
Seth and a particularly sobering pitch on the descent of the Northeast ridge. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
Crispy alpine hardpack at ~3960 m. Photo Credit: Seth McIntosh. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
Snowmass Mountain and Capitol Peak from ~3960 m on Pyramid Peak. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
American Mountain Goat (Oreamnos americanus) at ~3960 m on Pyramid Peak. Skilled but dangerous climbers. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
Seth looking safe and solid back in the camp kitchen after the summit. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
Kyle with camp kitchen delirium after the summit. Photo credit: Seth McIntosh. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
Bronti and Stega say goodbye to a memorable camp kitchen in the Maroon Valley. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
Stega and Bronti ponder their next alpine adventure from the safety of camp. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
Holga-life near Maroon Lake. Photo Credit: Seth McIntosh. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
More Holga-life near Maroon Lake on the descent. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
Cliché postcard shot at Maroon Lake. Yes, it really is that beautiful. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
Dinos know clean water when they see it. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
One last dip before leaving the valley. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, White River NF, CO. 2009.8
Kyle, battletorn but steady, back on the Continental Divide. Photo Credit: Seth McIntosh. Independence Pass, CO-82 E. 2009.8
Seth balances his vessel between the Eastern and Western slopes of the Continental Divide. Independence Pass, CO-82 E. 2009.8
A 70 mph shot of Mount Princeton for the Pops. US-285 S, CO. 2009.8
August 2009 found our favorite climbing dinosaurs, Bronti and Stega, feeling the need to scale something nasty. The Elk Mountains of Colorado kept their promise of “nasty”, providing our adventurers with more than a few good beers and loose rocks during their pursuit of Pyramid Peak’s lofty summit.
Looking for bears
Mountain clouds. Grand County, CO. 2008.8
Dirtbag and ToP take the easy way up. Winter Park, Grand County, CO. 2008.8
Best tools for the job. Winter Park, Grand County, CO. 2008.8
A fine pair of sneakers that now rests in peace in Grand County, CO. 2008.8
One year we decided to trade the climbing trip for a mountain biking trip. In August 2008 we headed west with hopes of tall dusty lips, hangtime, banked turns, Colorado beer, bears and good mountain camping. We found a bit of each.
DINO LIFE 