Old Monarch Pass Loop Trail

The Colorado Trail

We both grew up in small towns which probably made staying in this small town with a downtown of about six blocks good for a while. Some days after hiking in the hills we would head over to the park along the creek and enjoy the cool air under the trees. 

A group of 8 boys rode up to the edge of the pond and jumped in. After a dip they dried off and headed off on their bikes to who knows where. It brought back memories of the freedom of having a bike and growing up a small town.

In 1960 3% of the US population lived in cities. Now 50% of the population live in cities. We thought that we needed to escape our small towns. Now we know how lucky we were. 

My picture was fuzzy but it was so fun to watch the kids across the pond.

We had a stretch of heat into the 90's in July. Driving up to the Continental Divide at 11,000 feet cooled us down with 62F degrees. Part of the Old Monarch Pass Loop is  also a section of the Colorado Trail. 

 The Colorado Trail is known as one of the premier long-distance trails in the country, lauded by hikers, backpackers, and mountain bikers from around the world. The 567 miles of the CT trail between Denver and Durango passes through some spectacular scenery in the Colorado Rockies.  Travelers encounter high mountain lakes and towering peaks of six wilderness areas and eight mountain ranges as they climb nearly 90,000 vertical feet. The average elevation of the Trail is 10,300 feet, topping out at 13,271 feet just below 13,334-foot Coney Summit in southwest Colorado.

We have been fortunate to hike several sections of the CT during our stay, each equally stunning.

A view from the top.

As we hiked a short section of the Colorado Trail, we passed a few thru hikers. This young man that was appreciating the delay of the monsoon rains. The next day the rains hit hard and we thought about the hikers we had passed.

 Being forced to slow down hasn't been so bad as we have been taking time to reflect and look forward. Spending more time learning that we are small in the outdoors pushing away the noise the world.

Nature gives us mystery and diversity. 

Overlooking Monarch Ski area where our kids learned to ski and I worked as a ski patrol nurse many years ago, making the sport much more affordable. Monarch is a great ski area with amazing natural snow and great runs that meet at the lodge. The kids could have their freedom with their friends but not remain hidden for long.

A morning walk along the Arkansas River often ends with our feet in the cool water while watching the rafters, kayakers and skim boarders floating by. Some people just jump in with lifejackets for a float and fishermen line the shore.

Trying out my new camera on flowers.

The summer is flying by as we prepare for a return to Summit County.