The traveling manatees by Nancy French: Colorado

Showing posts with label Colorado. Show all posts

Colorado and Wyoming--Pictures along the Drive

Departing Glenwood Springs, CO and driving over a few days to Yellowstone National Park, we passed some dramatic scenery I'd like to share.

Grand Teton

Grand Teton Range

Colorado Part 3

Along the Vail Pass Trail

Upon arrival in Silverthorne, we made our way to the White River Forest Blue River campground. With the designation of “Gold Medal” by the Colorado Wildlife Commission, the waters are considered to provide excellent opportunities for landing large trout. Anxious to give the river a try, Alan headed out with his fly rod and I grabbed a spinning rod. Working our way up the river, Alan scored a rainbow trout, catch and release, breaking his dry run for the trip.

The following morning, we were eager to get on the bike trail from Vail Pass, we headed into Frisco. Having made arrangements with Pioneer Sports, we hopped inside the shuttle to the top of the Pass. Over the next 2 hours, we cruised primarily downhill over 14 miles and 1500 feet in altitude. Riding along the paved

Downtown Frisco

trail through the scenic river valley of Ten Mile Creek and through the ski village of Copper Mountain. Upon returning to Frisco, bikers looking for more of a challenge can continue the ride uphill to Breckenridge another 9.5 miles. We opted for lunch at the Butterhorn Café and Bakery, and then explored the historic town of Frisco. Flower boxes and baskets line Main St. adding to the beauty of the town surrounded by mountains.

Dillon Reservoir and Frisco Bay Marina

Moving our camp that evening to Heaton Bay, another one of the White River Forest campgrounds, we lucked into the only site available. The USA Pro Cycling Challenge, drawing some of the world's best bikers and thousands of spectators to Breckenridge and the area, was starting 2 days later. Blue skies and mild temperatures called us out onto the miles of bike trails around the town. The Dillon Reservoir Loop, an 18.8-mile bike route around the Reservoir provides a relatively level trail. We biked several miles on the Loop by the Frisco Bay Marina and into town. The Marina offers canoe, kayak, powerboat, sailboat and stand up paddleboard rentals for folks wanting to enjoy the waterway during the few months of warm weather.

Once again, at the recommendation of friends, we moved from Frisco to Glenwood

Biking through the Canyon

Springs. Securing our campsite for the night, we contacted Canyon Bike and arranged a shuttle for yet another biking adventure, a 16-mile trip along the Colorado River through Glenwood Canyon. Reserving a seat on the 8:45 shuttle, we prepared the following morning by dressing in layers and packing snacks and lunch for the trip. This nicely maintained and paved trail follows not only the River but is part of an intriguing work of engineering. Prior to the late 1800s, the canyon was considered impassable, but in 1887 the Western Railroad managed to place railroad tracks through the canyon. From 1900-1902, $30,000 was spent to push the first single-lane highway across the canyon. Over the years it was upgraded, but in 1975 the Colorado legislature decided to place Interstate 70 through the canyon. After 22 years of planning, design, and construction the $500 million project was completed. Not only did they build a unique highway, but in conjunction installed a paved bike trail that runs alongside and, in places, underneath the highway. Considered one of the most scenic portions of the interstate system, the 12-mile stretch incorporates tunnels, bridges, and retaining walls that actually enhance the canyon's appearance.

Hanging Lake

About 8 miles down the bike path, we stopped at the trailhead for Hanging Lake. This 1.2-mile trail may sound easy enough but it’s rocky and steep, and it took us about 1½ hours to complete the hike. Granted we stopped about 15 times on the way up, but we did make it to the top. Perched on a cliffside, the lake consists of a special ecosystem of springs. The aqua color of the water comes from deposits of dissolved limestone lining the lake. Getting to the bottom of the mountain took about half as much time, and then we continued cycling the remaining 8-miles into Glenwood.

We are now heading out of Colorado toward Yellowstone National Park. Having visited the Park before, we are anxious to explore some new areas.

Waterfall at Hanging Lake

The final ascent to Hanging Lake

Colorado Part 2

Kayakers along the River

Hecla Junction, north of Salida, CO, is one of 6 campgrounds offered in the Arkansas Headwater Recreation Area. All of the campgrounds, in the 150-mile stretch of the recreation area, border the River. Hecla Junction is a popular take-out point for kayakers and rafters that enter the river further north. However, later in the day as the watersports subside for the day, the Arkansas turns into a tranquil fishing site. In the AHRA, everything you need must be brought in and carried out. While most

Alan fly fishing for trout

public parks offer at least occasional water faucets and dumpsters for trash, due to the size of the Recreation Area and expense of the providing the services, they are not available. What you do find is dramatic scenery, hiking, fishing, and the aforementioned whitewater activities. The rapids on the river range from a difficulty level of Class 3-5 in the spring to a friendlier Class 1-3 later in summer. Numerous companies offer guided rafting and kayak drop off and pickup services in the surrounding area.

Joshua Been painting along the Arkansas River

We focused on fishing and hiking but Alan also found this a perfect area to pull out his watercolors and do some plein air painting. A trail running along the river south of the park provides not only a relatively level walking experience but also easy access to the river for trout fishing. Our first morning on the trail we found Joshua Been, a Salida artist, completing a commissioned plein air oil painting of the Arkansas. Josh filled us in briefly on the town of Salida, which we had passed through the previous day. Unable to find parking for our rig due to an art festival, we had missed experiencing the town.

Backtracking for a day, we found that Salida calls itself “the biggest little art town

Josh's sidekick, Sierra

in Colorado.” The art district, which is located in the center of town, offers a variety of talented artists. There are 19 artist-owned galleries in the district. Visiting Joshua’s gallery, Virtuosity, we met up with him again and were able to see the completed and framed piece he had been working on earlier in the day. Check out his website at http://www.joshuabeen.com/ to see some of his work. Lunch at the popular Poughboy, Farm to Table Restaurant and Store, provided us with a healthy lunch and farm-fresh, organic veggies to stock up our kitchen. For bikers, the town offers family-friendly and more challenging mountain biking options.

At Twin Lakes

White Star campground at Twin Lakes is part of the Pike and San Isabel National Forest about 20 miles south of Leadville and our next camp. Miles of hiking and mountain biking trails and trout fishing are available. These glacially formed lakes are linked by a narrow channel reflecting the nearby mountain range and are just incredibly beautiful.

Lake Turquoise

From here we headed up to Leadville, despite its name, the town originated as a gold and then silver mining town. We happened to come into the area as the town was preparing for the Leadville 100-mile "Race Across the Sky" Trail Run, this bike event draws hundreds of bikers and thousands of spectators. We lucked into a camping spot within a wilderness refuge at Lake Turquoise, in spite of the races. Opting for a bit of mountain biking around the lake, we found that mountain

Alan along the Lake Turquoise trail

biking at 10,000 feet is a bit more challenging than the Sunday morning workout we do when we’re back home at sea level. The 12-mile trail/road trip provides a fabulous view of the lake and surrounding mountains. We managed to finish about 1 mile before huffing and puffing and turning back.

Delaying our start due to the 30-degree morning temperature, once it warmed up

Taking a break along Lk. Turquoise

a bit we headed out. Brown, rainbow, mackinaw and cutthroat trout make their home in Lake Turquoise, so we climbed into our kayaks and headed out into the lake to try our luck. Four hours later we returned to shore; I lucked into one rainbow, so now I’m up on Alan 3 to 0.

Now we’re headed up to Frisco. Friends, Rich and Gloria, had recommended a downhill bike ride from Vail Pass to Frisco, now that’s our kind of trip!

Rocky Mountain view along our drive

Twin Lakes from the trail

Twin Lakes trail

Heading into Leadville

At Twin Lake

Colorado Part 1

Moving quickly out of the South, we tried to distance ourselves from the heat and succeeded. Once departing New Orleans, we drove to Queen Wilhelmina State Park along the Talimena Scenic Drive in western Arkansas. Perched atop Rich Mountain at 3000 feet, the park provided a reprieve from the heat and miles of lovely trails. Queen Wilhelmina Lodge, which was originally built in 1897, is currently undergoing renovation. The Lodge was built as a resort for passengers on the Pittsburg and Gulf RR. Since the lodge was financed by Dutch interest, it was named after their queen with the hopes that she would visit the Lodge, which never happened. A miniature railroad runs through the park as a nod to its history.

Front Street recreation

Mural in downtown Dodge City

Kansas is home to millions of cows and millions of acres of corn but it also claims Dodge City. Yes, the same place that was made famous from 1955 to 1975 by the popular western, Gunsmoke. Many of the characters from the show were based on historical personages with a lot of literary license. Home to Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson and “Doc” Holiday, the town is dotted with memorials and there is a reconstruction of the old Front Street where shoot outs and dancing girls are part of the entertainment. The Long Branch Saloon from Gunsmoke was actually one of 19 bars in the mid to late 1800’s that catered to cowboys from cattle drives and buffalo hunters.

Lake Pueblo State Park overview

In southeastern Colorado, Lake Pueblo State Park was our first stop in the state. The eleven-mile long lake provides ample area for the influx of visitors for boating, water skiing, and fishing. Buttes and limestone cliffs surround the lake, with mountain ranges to the west and high plains to the east offering splendid views. The paved Pueblo River Trail connects to the city of Pueblo for hikers and mountain bikers. At an elevation of 4900 feet, this was a good stopover for adjusting to the higher altitudes. We conquered only the level trails along the lake overview, as our bodies adapted to the altitude.

Some fellow campers at Lake Pueblo determined our next direction on departing the park, recommending a scenic drive towards Salida and passing Bishops Castle. We were told that a man was single-handedly building a castle, but had no idea what we would find. Bishops Castle is on the map, so we figured a town that just happens to have this unusual structure. Actually, the only thing at Bishops Castle is Jim Bishop’s Castle. Starting 45 years ago, Jim began the project. He has been solely responsible for the extensive stonework, steelwork, glasswork, carpentry, land grading, electrical, etc., etc., etc. As we stopped to speak with him during one of his breaks, he said he would continue building until he dies. Countless legal battles with the local building department, through the years, have slowed down progress at times but he has now succeeded in passing all the hurdles. A mote and drawbridge at the entrance of the castle are near completion. A smoke-breathing dragon extends out from the front of the

building. Internal and external stairways connect the floors with outside overviews offered at several points. There are no signs marking the Castle as you are driving along SR 165, but cars parked on both sides of the road mark the spot, and of course, it’s impossible to miss the Castle as you’re driving by. Jim allows the public to freely roam the castle, asking only for voluntary contributions. A store onsite, however, also sells snacks, souvenirs and a 45-minute VHS tape of the project.

The next stop was a bit of a stretch at 8960 feet. The Alvarado Campground in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness is part of over a quarter-million acres of unspoiled lands in south-central Colorado. Numerous trails lead up into the mountains from the campground, but we did a modest 3-mile hike with little elevation climb. Before heading out, we were advised that we would only see bears if we had brought our own. Bears were hunted into oblivion in this part of

Campsite at Alvarado

Colorado back in the 1800s. Lake fishing was available about 5 miles up but we figured by the time we made it up, if we made it up, it would be time to head back down again. Legend has it that this area was given its name at the death of a Spanish priest who was shot by an Indian’s arrow, as he watched a fiery sunset over the mountaintops, and upon his death cried out, “Sangre de Cristo” or Blood of Christ.

We are moving slowly through Colorado. Delightful weather and spectacular scenery give us little reason to move quickly.