Hiking and Backpacking Trips Archives - Page 11 of 37

Travel Photo Challenge Day 6 – Petra

I’ve been nominated by some fellow bloggers, Tony and Margie with Back Roads and Other Stories as well as Jyothi with Travel Explore Enjoy, to post one favorite travel picture a day for ten days without explanation, then to nominate someone else to participate. That’s 10 days, 10 travel pictures, and 10 nominations. It is my understanding that the idea behind the challenge is to expose audiences to new bloggers and vice versa. I’m always up for helping fellow bloggers, so I have accepted the challenge.

That said, my rule following self is going to follow Tony and Margie’s lead and break a handful of them. First, while a picture paints a 1,000 words, I’m incapable of posting a photo without some explanation. Sometimes the story makes the image that much more special. Second, though not specified, I think the intent is to post 10 days in a row. I’ll be lucky if I post 10 weeks in a row. I also may post more than one photo at times.

TAKE THE CHALLENGE

Happy Hiking: John Frazer Cabin

Today I hiked to John Frazer Cabin via Blue Grouse and Mule Deer Trails in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. The park is located 35 miles west of Denver, is very large, and has several entrances. A day pass to a Colorado State Park costs $10 and may be purchased at a variety of kiosks with exact change. An affixed annual pass to all Colorado State Parks costs $80 while a hang tag is $120. It seems a little pricy, but the trails are well marked and well maintained.

Getting There

The parking area to Blue Grouse Trail is located off Golden Gate Canyon Road and does not include a kiosk for paying, so be sure to plan for this in another location. The nearby Mountain Base Road to Reverend’s Ridge Campground where there is a pay station was closed for the winter. As a result, it might be best to stop in at the Visitor Center before continuing to the trailhead. The AllTrails app provides perfect directions to the trailhead, and the Colorado State Park website provides good park maps.

HAPPY HIKING!

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site

I broke up my road trip from Texas to Colorado into two days. As a result, I had a chance to visit Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site which was sort of on the way. The site is located 23 miles East of Eads.

Of all the times I’ve driven from Texas to Colorado and back, I’ve rarely even taken Highway 287, so the drive was relatively new to me. I veered off the highway near Eads and followed many dirt roads as I made my way to the Sand Creek Massacre Historic Site.

As I weaved along the roads through the plains, I hoped my GPS was right, as I was in the middle of nowhere. I had some degree of confidence since the Sand Creek Massacre site is a National Historic Site.

EXPLORE!

Lake Rita Blanca State Park

Lake Rita Blanca State Park, once the northernmost state park in Texas, is now owned and operated by the City of Dalhart. Since it is now maintained by the city, “state” is removed from the name and it is now known as Lake Rita Blanca Park. As suggested by its name, the park features Lake Rita Blanca along with many trails, parking and camping areas, and playground and pavilion. The park is located just 2.5 miles south of town.

GO HIKING!

Halloween Hike: Matthew/Winters

One of my favorite “holidays” is Halloween. With COVID, the parties were non-existent and the status of trick-or-treaters was unknown, so I made the most of it with a Halloween hike. I’m thankful my friends Mike and Paula could join me at Matthew/Winters Park. We connected several trails to make a 4.4 mile lollipop loop.

HAPPY HIKING!

Happy Hiking: Kettle Ponds

For the first time since Memorial Day, I finally got to reconnect with Jim, Diana, and Danelle to hike Kettle Ponds. My fellow hiking buddies, along with Zoe the dog, were staying up in Breckenridge Saturday night. Annie and I arose early Sunday morning to meet them in Silverthorne, CO at the trailhead.

HAPPY HIKING!

Six Mine Hikes Near Breckenridge

With the wildflower and fall foilage hiking in Breckenridge complete, and the weather getting a bit cold for 14ers in my opinion, hiking to mines is a good option. There are several mine hikes near Breckenridge of varying levels. Some are even popular for snow shoeing as winter approaches.

HAPPY HIKING!

Happy Hiking: Raccoon Trail

On the recommendation of a friend, I visited Golden Gate Canyon State Park to hike Raccoon Trail. After all, there is likely a reason it is named “Golden”. The state park includes several trails and features many golden aspen trees.

HAPPY HIKING!

Happy Hiking: Sheep Creek Trail

I had the pleasure to join a handful of ladies on a hike on Sheep Creek Trail this past week. Amazingly, despite having driven the 285 Corridor countless times, I hadn’t heard of this trail or turned off into this National Forest Area outside of Fairplay, Colorado.

HAPPY HIKING

Happy Hiking: Mount Princeton

I recently tackled my fourth fourteener of the summer, or should I say the first of the fall, upon summitting Mount Princeton with my friend Cat and Tanya. We selected Mount Princeton to celebrate Tanya’s final summit in the Sawatch range.

HAPPY HIKING!