Escaping the heat
We cut our time in Ridgway State Park short by a few days because of the heat and headed east.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
We hiked the trail along the south rim with steep drop offs into the deep gorge that are shorter than we usually take. The trails to the river were over my head getting back out. It's a long way down and further up.
Cycling Gunnison's back roads
When we started our bike ride through the farms towards Crested Butte, we had no idea where we would end up or how much we would enjoy it. Fifteen miles into the ride I didn't think Mike was going to want to turn around and suggested that he carry on. I knew the way home and knew he would eventually catch up with me.
He did turn around and catch up with me while I was having a drink in the shade. We thought a return trip might be in order.
Crested Butte's Oh Be Joyful Trail
It was the last day of Crested Butte's Wild Flower Festival. In past years the flowers were huge and amazing. This year we were catching the end of the bloom but still very nice. The Oh Be Joyful Trail is a nice trail through a glacial valley which becomes greener and more lush as we climbed. The waterfalls were flowing down the mountainsides. We passed a few hikers returning from their weekend camping trip at Blue Lake seven miles up the trail.
Slate River was running too high to walk through. I wasn't thrilled about hiking six miles in wet boots. Besides, we have a 4x4.
We are heading in.
Coming out the other side.
Our visit to Gunnison and Crested Butte were a little shorter than we could have wanted but the high altitude was calling.
