Postcards from JR and Christa

Monday, September 14, 2015

EXPLORING ADVENTURES AROUND COLORADO

September 5-13

Departing Rocky Mountain National Park my cousin Ralph graciously let us base our rig out of Nathrop in the heart of Colorado where he hangs his summer shingle with friends. It has allowed us a chance to explore mountainous scenic byways and places of interest with the Jeep which we couldn’t have done otherwise. It has been fun having him along with us on several day trip excursions. We did a short hike over a footbridge above the Arkansas River and through the Browns Canyon meadow. Another day JR did a bike ride toward St. Elmo along Chalk Creek Canyon Road while

Cousin Ralph climbing up over a rocky avalanche zone
with no apprehension

Christa at the impasse called "uncle the
trail stops here for me buddy" cringing down at the
800 ft cliff drop off down below

Ralph and I did a hike up along the canyon's cliffs on an old dirt road where tracks used to run steam engines to the historic mining towns of St. Elmo and Hancock. Later on the three of us drove by car twelve miles in the canyon passed hot springs to reach St. Elmo which is a ghost town today.

Historic St. Elmo

Go JR...You can do it!

Ralph turned on a side dirt road back up the canyon afterwards leading to a few remnants of Hancock’s old mining buildings. Colorado aspen turning color made for scenic travel along the off road beaten path.

Up one morning early over Independence Pass toward the town of Aspen fall colors have started to peak in the mountains. Passing through Vail, Aspen, and Breckenridge ski resort areas there were glimpses of the ski slopes, but those developed areas were way too dense for our liking.

Enjoying Maroon Bells for a hike to Maroon and Crater Lakes. Great morning reflections off the lake.

Trail to Crater Lake or Bust

Moose resting at Maroon Lake

Twin Lakes provided a chance to get the dory and kayak in the water with Ralph and Fran

Checking out Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park was breathtaking to say the least. This lesser known national park has a narrow gorge where the Gunnison River runs and cut through somber Precambrian rocks of the Black Canyon 2,425' below the canyon rim. Descent into the canyon by foot is extremely arduous. over thousands of years.

Much like the Grand Canyon driving the rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison allows for chances to view the beauty and depth of this spectacular canyon from observation lookouts. So glad we went there even though vertigo paralyzes Christa to no end. We did the South Rim and the East Portal Road drive down to the bottom of the canyon which happens to be EXTREMELY steep with a 16% grade! All one can say is, WOW!

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

The Royal Gorge Bridge outside Canon City is the world's highest suspension bridge. It spans

1,053' above the Arkansas River. One can walk the bridge on foot, but taking a train ride passing through the spectacular scenery of the Royal Gorge and under the suspension bridge became our choice. Along the river came white water rafters, sightings of mountain sheep, overhead views of the bridge and gondolas crossing which made for a fun morning.

Gondola ride over Royal Gorge

Later on that same afternoon taking a very bumpy dirt road
for 18 miles along Aspen Ridge to Salida brought lots of colorful
aspen trees and scenic ranch land.

Colorado backroad adventures are full of color if one takes the high road.

Sighting cowboys rounding up cattle was the real deal.

Colorado is the highest state in the union (3,350' at its lowest point and 14,433' at its highest). Its name comes from the Spanish word meaning red, the name first given to the Colorado River , which is colored from eroding red sandstone cliffs. Eastern Colorado is primarily agricultural with irrigated and dry land farms producing wheat, corn, beets, melons and potatoes.Western Colorado contains high peaks, green valleys, deep gorges and amazing rock formations. There is so much to do and see here it feels like barely having touched the surface.