Guanella Pass Nightmare Hike (5/27/2012)

Saturday evening, we decided that we needed to get out and get rid of the enormous amount energy with these dogs. I got the book out, Best Hikes with Dogs Colorado and since Greg never stops talking about Guanella Pass, we decided on Square Top Lakes trail. Here is Greg's recap of our hike...

Sunday morning we loaded the dogs up and set out to hike one of the numerous trails off Guanella pass. The ride was very scenic as we passed many lakes and switchbacking up to 12,000 feet. We also got to see mountain goats, elk and deer on the way. We had intended to hike the Square Top Lakes Trail. This being the first time up there, we had no idea where the trail head was. We drove to a number of trail heads and stopped at the one with the least amount of cars, and people. This decision is made because we don't have the most well behaved trail dogs and we like be able to take them off leash. The hike started up an old dirt road and soon lead to a trail that was impossible to follow. 

There were more blown down trees and trees up rooted then I have ever seen in my whole life combined. We found a meandering stream that that the dogs led by Casey loved. We hiked the stream awhile until we found an out cropping of rocks. This was Gracie's first hike with us, she loved it and took in everything. Cannon was having a great time as well with the creek and the rocks. After awhile we decided it was time to head back which is were it got interesting. We followed the creek for awhile on our descent, but we then we lost the trail. The blown down trees were brutal. We had to go over, under (meaning crawling)around and through them. When you're 10 years old this might be great, when you in your 30's with 3 dogs; not so fun. After tromping through and getting stabbed by pine trees, Kelly stayed with the dogs while I went to find the trail. I thought I found it so we regrouped and started back just to lose the trail again to more friggin blown down trees. At this point I set off to find the trail, yet again. This time I had help from Gracie and Cannon. Casey stayed back to go to the stream and Kelly stayed put and I imagine she was praying that 1 of the 3 of us finds the trail. After awhile Gracie found the old dirt road! We regrouped and got out of hell. After almost 2 hours, we were out of the massive blown down forest. 


Cannon and Gracie had a blast in this forest and we think that Cannon is feeling it today, but Gracie is amped up and ready for more. Casey being 10 yrs old did a great job, but she isvand was tired. Kelly and I never want to see a blown down forest again. Once we were back to the car we drove up the pass and found the trail head we were looking for in the first place. 
Back to following well marked trails, ONLY!

A Walk Around the Lake (5/24/2012)

Wow! Over a year and 2 months since we have blogged. Not a good start. So much has occurred in that time period. We bought a house in The foothills of CO, did an amazing amount of work on the house and adopted a 3rd member of our family, Gracie, a chocolate lab puppy. Crazy year! WE'RE BACK!! Today we decided that it was the day to get off the couch and we started by a walk around Evergreen Lake just with Casey. We had seen elk at Evergreen Lake on Monday night with a friend of ours and it just got us to yet again become motivated to spend more time outside and begin our challenge again. It is about 1.5 mile walk where it is pure torture for Casey since her favorite thing in the world is swimming. We let her swim when we arrived so she would have enough time to dry off. It was really nice and perfect distance for beginners. We are going to hit the trails this weekend and enjoy Memorial Day in the mountains of Colorado!

Hike 2: Maxwell Falls (1/23/2011)

Evergreen, CO

So, we were going to go snowshoeing, but nothing can get in the way of missing the JETS game! Instead, I let Greg pick the hike that we are going to do and now I can barely move and every bone in my body hurts. The hike is listed as easy/moderate, I would be the first to disagree. We did the easy part, but of course we continued on...
We started at the upper trail-head and completed the loop that had an elevation gain of 400ft. We started at an elevation of 8400ft, down to 8000ft and back up.
Out of everyone, the dogs did the best.
Cannon had her pack on and carried water for her and Casey, thank god! There is no way I can add an extra 2-3lbs to my bag. Also, Casey was the leader and helped me up the hills that I was struggling on. During my numerous breaks throughout, the dogs were given Zuke's Power Bones to give them an extra boost of energy, if only they were for humans!
This was a beautiful, pristine snow packed hike with amazing views along ridge-lines and pine trees. There are awesome views from atop of the cliff pictured below. The photo is deceiving because the cliff is over 200 ft.
I think it is time for an Epsom Salt bath, but not before the JETS game! GO J-E-T-S!!!
Next hike, depending on whether I can move or not...7 days and counting!

Hike 1: Sand Creek Greenway (12/21/2010)

First hike and it was really fun! While this 3.5 mile hike was relatively flat, the challenging part was walking on the sandy trails (just like walking on beach sand!). The trail is part of the Morrison Nature Center and the land is still mostly in its natural state. There were not that many people there. I can see it being a whole lot more fun for the dogs when it is warm because all the trails run alongside a creek with slow moving waters to explore. It also provided us the opportunity for us to test out our new gear. Cannon got to try out her new pack that she will be carrying.

Overall Impression: Good Warm Up Hike

72 x 52

One of my many Christmas presents, a book titled Best Hikes with Dogs by Ania Savage in Colorado inspired me to get off the couch and set some goals to start appreciating the Colorado landscape; since we live here now and spend some more time in the sunshine with my family. The ultimate goal being to complete a 14er (CO speak for a 14,000ft peak)!

Mission: To complete 72 Colorado Hikes in 52 weeks.

Key Players:
Kelly (me):
I am a dog enthusiast that has a love for the outdoors. I am looking forward to pushing myself to my ultimate goal of hiking a 14er with my family! My biggest peak is also Deer Leap Overlook in Killington, VT. We just moved to CO in October and I really want to see what it is all about and at the same time, gain a deeper introduction to outdoor appreciation.

Casey:
8 year old yellow lab/Newfoundland mix. She is one of the biggest reasons I want to complete this project. I want to make sure that she is with me as I reach personal milestones throughout this journey. She has been with me through everything in my life for the last 8yrs and I can't imagine completing it without her. Casey's biggest peak so far is Mt. Ascutney in Vermont, measuring 3143ft and an elevation gain of 2297ft.

Cannon:
3 year old Black Lab. Cannon is the everlasting energy of this journey. She loves everything outdoors and always being with us. Cannon's biggest peak so far is Deer Leap Overlook in Killington, VT. It measures 2776ft with an elevation gain of 800ft.

Greg:

My boyfriend of 4 years and the support behind this endeavor, especially since the majority of  my Christmas gifts had a "hiking" theme. He loves everything outdoors and has hiked much more than anyone else participating! These hikes were largely New Hampshire 4,000ft peaks and numerous hikes throughout Vermont. His goals throughout this journey are to get back into landscape photography (his college degree). By the way, Greg will have taken majority of photos uploaded to this blog! Also, the talk about the gear is totally Greg, gearhead! The ultimate goal is to climb a 14er!