Monthly Update - A Series

The official hiking season is over.  Weeks of typical Colorado winter weather...if there is such a thing as typical weather in Colorado...are ahead.  For some, that means spending more time indoors, and a less active schedule.  That can be the beginning of a winter of lower expectations and little motivation.

Negotiating deep powder at Vail.

At the first sign of being less motivated, change gears...think about what you can do to keep the body in 'Active mode' until spring arrives.

The key is to find a method of making a smooth transition from one indoor/outdoor exercise routine to another. 

As we age, it can be more difficult to move from season to season, while maintaining an exercise plan.  Stuff happens to derail us from what we had planned to do, i.e. relocating our place of residence, pre-planned holiday travel/vacation, unexpected loss of a spouse or other family member, diagnosis of a disease, or unexpected accident.

HCH Member has Accident

While scrolling through the posts on Facebook yesterday, I noticed one by fellow HCH member John Tedrick.  It said he had 'crashed' and sustained injury.  Concerned, I quickly began scrolling through numerous other posts looking for clarification.  None to be found.

Since it was a weekend, I decided to wait until today to call is wife, Kathy for details.  Kathy answered in a hushed tone.  When I asked how John was, she said,"Let me go outside, he's sleeping" indicating that she was by his bedside at the hospital.

According to Kathy, John was on his bike at the intersection of I-225 and Parker Road, waiting to cross the intersection into Cherry Creek State Park.  When he attempted to remove his foot from the pedal clip, his foot became stuck, causing him to lose balance, then fall to the pavement.  In his facebook post, John described it as a "Standing still crash."

He sustained a fractured femur and damaged a hip joint all in an instant.  Within moments, a person stopped on the street and came to his aid, calling 911 for help.  He was taken to Aurora South Medical Center then transferred to Sky Ridge Hospital in Lone Tree.

The accident occurred around 2 p.m. on Saturday.  John did not have surgery until 11:30 a.m., Sunday, the following morning.  In addition to setting the femur, he was given a full hip replacement.
 
John will be going home as soon as he is able to put weight on his new hip.  I trust he will get through any prescribed physical therapy plus the personal effort needed to get full range of motion back.

On behalf of all HCH members, we wish John a full and speedy recovery.

John Tedrick
14456 East Warren Place
Aurora, Co. 80014-1421

A Typical Year?

After...

    14 Trivia questions
    21 Scheduled hikes
    72 Crossword puzzle questions
    76 Hours riding a bus
  138 Best images of the year
  158 Cups of coffee
  207 Scoops of ice cream
  244 Hiking participants
 1,377 Person-miles
 4,330 Images saved
 7,216 Images captured
23,164 Feet elevation gain

Devil's Backbone OS

This the final day hike of a phenomenal hiking season, comes amid a week of seasonal change, and neighborhood kids dressed in costume.  In that context, I can't think of a better place to hike this week than Devil's Backbone Open Space (DBOS).  The name projects an image of being a long, rugged, and challenging day ahead.  As you will see,  within the shear natural beauty of this slice of landscape, there is a certain ruggedness not easily explained.  It must be experienced to be fully appreciated.

Kruger Rock

It's mid-October.  One more scheduled hike will end another fantastic hiking season.  Then November 15th. is the annual 'Gathering' for members of the High Country Hikers group and a guest.  Time really does go by fast when you are enjoying life.

Ed leads the group from the TH to Kruger Rock. 

Lost Lake - IPW

The atmosphere on the bus was much like a 50th high school reunion.  People were catching up with a fellow group member since their last hike together.  Although there were only 11 people on board, it sounded like a much larger group.  There was much to talk about as Ed guided the bus out of the ACAA parking lot.  It was as if someone had brought a bunch of debate team members on board, each one trying to out talk the other.  It sounded like a group of buzz-saws on auto-pilot...a sign of a tightly-knit group. 

Colorado Trail at Kenosha Pass

Based on the weather forecast, my pack included a few items for the first time this hiking season.  A skull cap, knit cap, and glove liners will protect vital parts of my body if the weather turns ugly.  If the temperature remains as forecast, my upper body will be able to shield off the elements with a Capilene layer, then a LS-cotton tee, and a light fleece.


John stops for a trail map as members of the group make their way through stands of Aspen.

Weekend in San Luis Valley

A cold front had arrived in Denver.  With it came a clear message..."Summer is over." With a chill-blocking outer layer added, we boarded the Englewood (Malley) Recreation Center bus.  Destination, Alamosa, in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado.


Mountains of Rio Grande National Forest peek out of morning clouds as we head south on Rt. 17, to Medano-Zapata Ranch.

Boulder Lake

Since relocating to Colorado seven years ago, this hiker has experienced many trails, penned hundreds of pages of text describing those experiences and captured thousands of images in the back country.  Considering all those outings, this is one of my top three hikes...the others being The Loch (RMNP), and Eldorado Canyon...although a number of other trips remain favorites.

Today, on board were eleven members of the High Country Hikers group, one a newbie.  The normal morning rush hour traffic caused little delay before Ed was able to quicken the pace, moving us to the trailhead (TH) by mid-morning.

Herman Lake

The Herman Gulch TH is located just off exit 218 of I-70, west of Bakerville.  There is ample parking and pit toilets are provided before starting this popular scenic hike.


Dorothy, Penny, Nancy, and JoAnn prepare for the day.

Indian Peaks Wilderness (IPW)

To say "Stuff Happens" would describe why the original plan for an annual multi-day backpack trip did not happen.  This year, there were a number of reasons why the first plan, and numerous alternate plans had to be scrapped.

It was mid-August before a salvaged trip plan was developed.  Two members of the group from last year were unable to go, leaving my good friend Ed and me. 

Square Top Lakes

The turn off Main Street in Georgetown (8,500'),  took us to Guanella Pass Road, and the Pass of the same name.  After passing the parking lot for Mt. Bierstadt trailhead (11,669'), the South Park Trail trailhead lot is a few yards farther on the opposite side of the road.

HCH Announces Annual Gathering

Where ever you keep the appointment calendar...kitchen counter, office, den, family room, or online...GET IT NOW and mark the date.

McCullough Gulch Trail

On paper, all 13 seats on the bus were filled.  When we pulled out of the parking lot, however, only 8 High Country Hikers, including the driver, would enjoy the experience of this hike.  August can be a hectic month...school starts soon; vacations are changed, extended, cancelled; unexpected friends/family show up from out of town; plus the normal ramped-up number of activities this time of year in Colorado, can play havoc with the family calendar.


Luisa and Penny make their way beyond the trailhead.

What Do Readers Like? (UPDATE)

The question had been raised earlier this year.  After months feeling apathetic about it, my curiosity actually increased,  to the point where I felt the need to take a look.  A comprehensive review of all published articles was begun.

Since this blog went live in August, 2011, over 400 articles have been posted.  Among the topics are articles on how a healthy lifestyle can be maintained.  There is a series on the basics of snowshoeing.  Another series called 'Inspiring Profiles' brings stories of people who have been an inspiration to the writer, to this blog.

Blue Lake - IPW

Regardless of the time of year, the exceptional sights, sounds, and memories are etched in ones mind after visiting Indian Peaks Wilderness.  When this area is on the list of ACAA hikes, I'm there.  This wilderness totals 75,000 acres, 35% of it above tree line.  It is one of the most popular and heavily used wilderness areas in the country.  There are 7 peaks over 13,000' in elevation within the wilderness boundary.

Alpine Sunflower

Bear Peak

This post was missed amid a busy summer schedule.

The last time I hiked to Bear Peak, the day ended with a never-to-be-forgotten experience ( see details below).  That hike began at the Mesa TH on Eldorado Springs Drive.  This time we would begin on the northwest side off Flagstaff Road.  Elevation there is 7,242'.

Ed maneuvers through a section of rocks on trail.

Vasquez Pass

Some welcome cooler air this morning as 11 members of the High Country Hikers (HCH) group gathered at ACAA, at 6th. and Del Mar, in Aurora.

It would mark yet another week of at least one new (1st time) member in the group.  Proof that word of this group of close-knit active men and women is getting out into the community.

Ed gives the pre-hike safety briefing.

A Day in the Park - ended in epic fashion

My body clock had not failed.  As my eyes focused on the LED on the nightstand, it read 4:49 a.m.  Adequate time to fill a water bladder and secure my multi-day pack in the truck.  All essential gear, and food for a five-day trip had been packed in advance of today.  The day would serve as a preparation hike for our upcoming annual week-long trek later this month.


Larkspur Creek, one of a number of short break spots on during the climb up Mills Moraine.

Looking For 2 Experienced Backpackers

A five-day backpack trip is planned for July 30th through August 5th.  The trip will be in the South San Juan Wilderness of Colorado, beginning at the Platoro Reservoir trailhead.  Average day mileage is 5.  Elevation gain on day one, 1,280'; day two, 320; day three 400; day four 800; day five, -2,080.

Total miles = 26.3
Continental Divide Trail Miles = 15.6

Only those experienced in high country terrain and conditions and have  all necessary backcountry gear and essentials should respond.

If you are interested in joining us, please contact the writer at  thecohiker2011@gmail.com
or respond in the comment section below this article.

Little Craggy - CO. Trail (CT)

The early morning air even at the TH, felt considerably warmer than recent weekly outings.  It was not until I returned home, and heard the local weather report...the temperature reached 100 degrees at DIA today...that I realized it was a near record (102 degrees) day.

The Loch (Loch Vale) - RMNP

It has been gratifying to walk into ACAA week after week, and be greeted by one or more new smiling faces.  So it has been this hiking season.  More and more people are learning about the High Country Hikers (HCH) group from Aurora.  No less than 13 people have been first-timers already this hiking season.

John Tedrick and Joe Jackson leave the TH for the Loch.

Captain Mountain

At first light, I looked out the back of the house to find the sky totally overcast.  By the time my pack bladder was filled and my day pack placed in the truck, the sun had dried up the mist.  It would be another exceptional day to hike.


View from trail of Mt. Evans, 14,265' el., and Mt. Warren 13,407' el.

Devils Head - Lookout

Decades of hiking have left dozens of memories to relive again and again.  One such outing was to Devils Head back in June, 2010.  It's one of those special places you remember for many reasons...the journey getting there, the rangers cabin in the meadow at the top, and of course the lookout itself, perched on a huge piece of granite. 

The fact that I met the iconic now 80-year-old Ranger who has manned this historic tower for 27 years is what I will most remember.  When you see the image of him later in this piece, you will most likely think he is the Santa of the wilderness.  In some ways, he is exactly that.  You will understand why after reading this article.

There is a phrase seasoned hikers use when referring to an adventure that sticks in your mind.  It can be explained in a number of ways.  One is, 'The journey getting here may have been difficult, but it was well worth the effort.'

Historic Devils Head Lookout Tower.

Rolling Creek Trail

A near perfect day greeted 14 members of the High Country Hiker group as they arrived at the ACAA.  Although a number of new faces have joined the group in recent weeks, today all but two on the bus were regulars.


Hikers listen as Ed gives the weekly safety briefing.

Maxwell Falls Loop

A bright sunny day greeted 10 members of the High Country Hikers group as they boarded the bus at the Aurora Center for Active Adults. 

The ride into the small town of Evergreen on Rt. 74, always has a calming effect on me.  I suppose it first has to do with the rolling countryside after departing the fast-paced I-70.  Picturesque Evergreen Lake just outside of town is one of the premier bodies of water in the region.  The town golf course is neatly tucked into the trees on the southwest end of the lake.  It's tranquil surroundings set the tone for a great visit to downtown Evergreen.  Main street is loaded with specialty shops, galleries, and cafe's.  Don't bother looking for any fast food restaurants...there are none.


After leaving the trailhead, a curious Doe forages for food close to trail.

Indian Peaks Wilderness - Hessie Trailhead

Want to hike a remote alpine landscape close to Denver?  Well, this one's for you.

It is one of my favorite places in Colorado to hike/backpack.  The Indian Peaks Wilderness (IPW) located in central Colorado, about 35 miles northwest of Denver offers more than 76,400 acres of rugged backcountry to explore.  All of it within a two-hour drive from my house. 

View from Devils Thumb Trail...this is Colorado at its BEST!

Staunton - The Newest State Park

When one thinks about the many venues of natural beauty Colorado offers, there is a new spot you might consider adding to your list of places to visit.  That place is Staunton State Park.


View from trail of one of a number of rock outcroppings at Staunton State Park.

Need Your Support

An important day is fast approaching for those in the Denver Metro area who live with and care for people diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease (PD).  More than 17,000 Coloradans now live with PD.  This is your opportunity to support a local charity organization that provides many needed programs, i,e, support groups, yoga classes, seminars, workshops, and services for those living with PD.

On Sunday, June 1st, the Parkinson Association of the Rockies will host the 12th annual Vitality Walk, to raise awareness of this disease.  The event will be held at two locations.  Washington Park, downtown Denver and Sandstone Ranch, Longmont.

Registration begins at 8 a.m., the walk starts at 9 a.m.  The registration fee at either location is $30 for adults, $10 for children (5 - 14 yrs.).   Bring your dogs.  It's a great place for them to exercise as well.

You are invited to donate on line at www.parkinsonrockies.org/vitalitywalk or in person the day of the event.  People have also approached me directly with a check payable to PAR or cash. 

My team name, "Exercise Fights PD," is listed on the team page of the web site mentioned above.  By clicking on it, you will be able to donate directly to the team financial goal.  Plus you can enjoy a wonderful morning stroll in "Wash Park" with the team.

So slip into your comfortable walking attire, ask the family to join you, put the dog in back, and head for Washington Park.  The best place to park is at the south end of the park  From there, it's a short walk to the event area.  You will see the vendor tents and hear announcements being made from the stage as you approach.  Stay after the walk for great food and snacks.

JoAnn and I look forward to seeing you there.  Look for us near the stage.

Enjoy the journey.
Gary

 

Eldorado Canyon State Park

As severe weather blasted the Denver Metro area, the foothills surrounding Eldorado Springs remained quiet and free from driving rain, pelting hail, and gusty winds.  It would be late in the day before we saw grey clouds overhead.  Mother nature held on to her fury, only to release it later in the week.



Eldorado Canyon Trailhead.

The day began with 11 members of the High Country Hikers group boarding the van outside the Aurora Center for Active Adults (ACAA).  An accident on I-270 (Commerce City) was reported earlier in the morning, causing that road to be impassible. 

Traffic backup on all major routes north of Aurora were affected.  After a few miles of slow-moving traffic, we were making good time on an alternate route, by way of  Golden, then north to Eldorado Springs.


Outside the Visitor Center, Dorothy, Joanne, Penny, Susan and Sandra prepare for a day on trail.

A Long and Winding Road

When I think back to January 24, 1995 (19 years ago), the day I had my first look at the black pickup I had waited for.  Two days earlier, there was the phone call from Bill Miller, a salesman at Bobby Rahal Toyota, telling me my truck would be  ready for pick up.  Base purchase price, $15,088.00. 

The car I was driving, a 1987 Nissan Stanza, would be traded in.  They offered me $3,700.00 for it.  That plus a down payment of $5,166.00 left a balance of $6,222.00 to be financed.

I wanted the least painful terms as possible.  Other than the mortgage and living expenses, there was nothing else financed.  So I went to the ECU (Employee Credit Union) at AMP Incorporated, where I worked.   The result was a monthly payment of $74.91 over four years.  It would be paid by payroll deduction.  I would never miss it.

A Few Extra Miles

The question of the day...'What are we gonna do.'  "Let's go to that trail you did recently down Parker Road," she said.  In minutes, two bottles of water and two PB&J sandwiches were thrown in the packs and we were off.

Entrance to the parking lot at LMOS.

Trail Dust In Your Eye?

A "High Wind Warning" for the Denver Metro area did not stop eleven members of the High Country Hikers (HCH) group from completing their scheduled Tuesday hike. 


Hikers on the Farm Lane spur trail leading to Cherry Creek Trail.

Eldorado Canyon Hike

This place is a unique gem for many reasons.  It's a mecca for rock climbers.  It caters to those who enjoy horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking.  South Boulder Creek thunders down between canyon walls.  Bring a picnic lunch or stop by the visitors center for a souvenir.   


View from atop the canyon.

Hike Lincoln Mtn.

Excellent conditions on this fourth week of the official hiking season.  Gone are the snow fields, and patches of slush and ice.  No more worry about stepping onto a stretch of trail covered with thick mud and long areas of standing water.  Trail today was open, wide, and dry.


Gary1, Linda, Penny, and Susan stop to enjoy the view.

Elk Meadow Park

Despite waking at 2 a.m. to view the spectacular lunar eclipse, I arose for good, in time to have breakfast, and toss my day pack and poles in the truck, and still have time to stop for a cup of java for the drive to ACAA.

Including Ed, our hike leader/driver, a dozen hikers boarded the van for a day at Elk Meadow Park, outside Evergreen.  The hike began at the south entrance parking lot on Meadow View Trail.


Hikers begin the day on Meadow View Trail.

Alderfer/3 Sisters

Fifteen minutes before the alarm was set to buzz, I awoke (5:15).  Could it be that my brain has seen that many early-to-rise mornings, it knows in advance to rescue me from the night in a more calm and casual manner.   An early start to my day is always a good thing, especially when it's a HIKE day.

This would be the second of more than 30 day hikes planned by ACAA this year.  Eleven registered for the outing today, all of them enthusiastic as they boarded the bus.


Hikers prepare for a day on trail as Ed explains safety issues.

Kick-off Hike at Ridgeline Open Space

An exciting day for the men and women who participated in the first scheduled hike of the season.  It began early at the Aurora Center for Active Adults, where members of the High Country Hikers (HCH) group gathered for the initial hike of the year.

Hikers traverse one of a number of ridges among this Open Space.

Carpenter Peak

Chilled air felt at the meet site earlier was replaced by more moderate feeling air as we paid the entry fee - still $7.00 - before moving to the parking lot adjacent to the visitors center.  We were one of only four vehicles meaning we may not see many (or any) people today.

Unique landscape from trail at Roxboro S. P.

Source of 1,001 Tips...and More

The first edition of Backpacker magazine was purchased from a Gander Mountain Outfitter store in Harrisburg, PA.  That was August, 2000, and at the time I was well into backpacking.  My passion for the outdoors was at an all time high.  I would soon finish section hiking the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) across Pennsylvania, before tackling the rest of the long east coast trail.

First edition purchased in August 2,000.

Snowshoe at Snow Mountain Resort

An early start got us out of the city in good time.  Plus we agreed there would be no pit stop on the way to YMCA Camp of the Rockies, otherwise known as Snow Mountain Resort.  For my friend, Ed, it would be de-ja vu of sorts.  The story is lengthy, lets just say this was his third attempt to experience what the facilities have to offer at Snow Mountain. 

A solo Xcountry skier makes her way along the meadow.

Images Added!

Images have been added to the page "About the Hiker."

Check it out.

New Format

If you have been following this blog since going live in 2011, the format has remained unchanged...until now.  A few clicks of the mouse and waaa-la, a totally new look. 

Also updated, the page About the Hiker.  Click on the title...in orange text...at the top right corner under the banner. 

Your comments on the new format are welcome.

Gold Run N.C. - Breckenridge

All 14 people on board the bus at Malley Recreation Center in Englewood today were either into XCountry or snowshoe...no downhillers.  Unusual? Maybe.  It reminded me of the last visit to Gold Run...also with Malley...in January 2012, when 13 made the trip and only one downhiller in the group.  Maybe it's saying something about the popularity of the facilities at Breckenridge and condition of the trails at Gold Run Nordic Center.

It was nice to end the day in this warm and cozy spot.

A Day in Wild Basin - RMNP

Temperatures in and around Denver hovered in the 60's as we boarded the bus outside Washington Park Recreation Center.  Every seat was filled as 12 snowshoers plus 2 DP&R staffers (Skler and Amber) made the trip.

A stop for java in Lyons, rejuvinated everyone before making the final approach to Wild Basin off CR 7, at Allenspark.  Conditions in the parking lot provided us a taste of what to expect the rest of the day as strong winds whipped fresh snow across the lot while we cinched into shoes and day packs.

RMNP - Wild Basin Trail System.

Snowshoe at Caribou Ranch

A cold Tuesday in January for some might be a day to relax in ones favorite easy chair with a good book.  Not the case for a group of adventurous outdoor enthusiasts from the Denver Metro area.

Time to cinch into shoes and packs for the day.

I was fortunate to have landed a seat on the bus provided by Denver Parks and Rec. for a day of snowshoeing. 

Arriving early at the City Park Rec. Center on MLK Jr. Blvd., I checked the inside of the center while waiting for the bus.

With shoes and poles in hand, I stepped on the bus to be greeted by a good friend and fellow-day hiker, Luisa, from the High Country Hikers, based in Aurora.

Snowshoeing at Snow Mountain Ranch

We have been looking forward to this first outing of 2014 for some time.  It meant early to rise (5:00 a.m.) in order to be at Mally Rec. Center, in Englewood, by 7:30.  There were about twenty men and women on the bus.

Outside Snow Mountain Nordic Center.

We were out of the city in good time, with new driver, Dan, behind the wheel.  A pit stop at the Conoco Plaza, at Downeyville, (THE place for people heading to the mountains who enjoy fresh, hot coffee...only a nickle, help yourself.  It's one of the few places still operating on the honor system.  Then on through the mountain town of Empire, over Berthoud Pass (11,307') and into Winter Park Resort.  Three would depart the bus at the resort spending the day on the slopes.  The rest remained on board until we reached Snow Mountain Ranch for a day on snowshoes. The Ranch is another 12 miles outside Winter Park.

2013: An exceptional year.

It began with the carryover of activities from last year, including Spanish classes for JoAnn, and snowshoe day trips with Malley Rec. Center, plus weekly yoga classes at Scheitler Rec. Center for me.

January, my birth month, would be celebrated more for my ability to fight off the progression of Parkinsons one more year.  The coming year will add more challenges for sure.

When in Doubt...Donate or Pitch It.

There was shelf after shelf loaded with box after box of stuff.  It's typical what one will find in any house after decades of accumulation.  Walk down any neighborhood street and look in a garage...there is likely to be half the space loaded with stuff.

Families naturally accumulate things from childhood, things from high school and college, things from a career.  Many things are returned to the same box each time we get them out...in the event we might need it.

Stacks of 45 rpm vinyl recordings.

There comes a time when we must step up and make decisions, however difficult, on the things taking up space over the years.  For us, the time is now.

Both our parents accumulated things during their lives.  When they passed, we were tasked with going through box after box making decisions as we went.  Although many items were dispensed to other family members, we ended up with numerous boxes loaded to the top.