It seems unfair that our training hikes for our big summer adventure are in such a stunning place, but I guess we’ll have to deal with the injustice. We drove up the night before in the 4-Runner, navigated some 4 wheel trails and then picked a spot by the River and woods and slept in the back of the truck. Early in the morning, we got up, had oatmeal and headed out on the trail.
The trail started out in a beautiful pine forest with crisp air and just enough fog to make it feel cozy. As the day progressed and we moved up the steep switchbacks, we could see the River flowing below us. Soon, we emerged from the trees to behold the 3 Apostles, a spectacular range of step peaks that dominate the landscape. With them looking over us, we headed up the alpine meadows, though flowers, and Marmot holes and came to the lake that forms below the peaks. We had a snack and prepared for the summit push. From there, it was a quick, steep hike up the granite rocks to the summit. The summit was peppered with hikers enjoying the view from this 14er that stands in the middle of the mountains. It’s one of the few mountains from which you can see no paved roads and no modern amenities. Without a doubt, this was one of our favorite hikes in Colorado.
We came down from the summit quickly with an agreement that we both enjoy going up much better than we enjoy going down. If only we had better knees! On the way down, we saw a lot of Marmots scurrying through the meadows, getting ready for the coming winter. We drove home grateful to live near such a beautiful place.
The trail started out in a beautiful pine forest with crisp air and just enough fog to make it feel cozy. As the day progressed and we moved up the steep switchbacks, we could see the River flowing below us. Soon, we emerged from the trees to behold the 3 Apostles, a spectacular range of step peaks that dominate the landscape. With them looking over us, we headed up the alpine meadows, though flowers, and Marmot holes and came to the lake that forms below the peaks. We had a snack and prepared for the summit push. From there, it was a quick, steep hike up the granite rocks to the summit. The summit was peppered with hikers enjoying the view from this 14er that stands in the middle of the mountains. It’s one of the few mountains from which you can see no paved roads and no modern amenities. Without a doubt, this was one of our favorite hikes in Colorado.
We came down from the summit quickly with an agreement that we both enjoy going up much better than we enjoy going down. If only we had better knees! On the way down, we saw a lot of Marmots scurrying through the meadows, getting ready for the coming winter. We drove home grateful to live near such a beautiful place.
