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.