Hiking La Plata Peak - a fourteener

Steffen and I try and do at least one fourteener a year, and this year we completed La Plata Peak This is a nine mile round trip hike starting at 10,000 feet and finishing at 14,336 making it the fifth highest peak.

After an early start and long drive to the trailhead, we set off at 7:00am and hiked to the top.  The start of the trail is in the forest and runs parallel to the river, the last few miles are brutal steep uphills with some rocks to traverse.

We made it to the top in 3 hours 18 minutes and back down in 2 hours 9 minutes.  All in all a great hike.

Crossing a log bridge on the trail

At the summit, free sandwich picture

Victory coke

The Stats

Aspen Camping - Day 3

On our last day, Cody woke up with sniffles and I decided he probably shouldn't go on the hike that we had initially planned. So, i suggested that we drove Alan and Tyler to the trail head so that i can also grab more pictures of the majestic Maroon Bells.

After a quick photo op at the Maroon Bells(again), we kissed Alan and Tyler good bye as they start their hike down back to the campsite.

Back at the camp, while Cody rested in the shade, i started packing up everything and getting them ready for Alan to stack them back in the car. As we still had some time, Cody and I went to relax by the stream by our campsite. Cody threw rocks while i practiced braiding my hair.

Soon, Alan and Tyler were back. While Alan packed everything into the car, Tyler joined us by the stream and had a blast sticking his feet in the cold water and building bridges. I finally convinced him to stick his head into the cold stream by doing it first!

After everything was packed, we got into the car and started our long journey back to Denver. It took us about 5.5 hrs to get back as there was a huge traffic jam between Georgetown and Idaho Springs.

It was a great camping trip. Weather turned out perfect despite the initial grim forecast. The kids as usual enjoyed the whole experience and Tyler has truly proved himself with his strong hiking skills. Can't wait for the next camping trip!

The Majestic Maroon Bells

Finally a good family picture

Crazy flowers

Tyler says he's a real hiker with binoculars, backpack and hat!

Tyler and Daddy before the hike

Cody taking it easy while i packed

Cody and the bones we came across

Relaxing by the stream, nursing a runny nose

Tyler is back!

Sticking his feet into the freezing water 

King of the rock!

Brrrrrr... cold....

Building a bridge with mommy's help

Striking a pose!

This is how you stick your head in!

Tyler's turn!

OOoooohh.. refreshing!!!

Aspen Camping - Day 2

After quite a good night sleep, we found ourselves sleeping in a little more than usual the next morning. We had breakfast and started packing lunch for our hike. By the time we got to the trail head, it was past 11 am!!! Not sure what happened to the morning!

Alan had selected the hike to Crater Lake as our destination. The first mile was mostly uphill and i have to say, the kids were doing a lot better than me! They trudged on like little troopers leaving their poor mommy in the dust. But i did catch up on the 2nd mile of rocky but flat bit. Again, the trail was so beautiful, especially around the rock crops.

We got to the lake about lunch time(thankfully!) and had a quick lunch before we let the kids play in the water. We ate under a big shady tree as the sun was a little intense at that elevation. After lunch the kids threw rocks into the lake while i took pictures and experimented with my camera.

We left about 2 pm and our journey back down was a lot quicker. Once we got to the car, i bribed the kids to nap(in the car) while we took a drive to Aspen to pick up some more water and couscous. It worked out and the kids were much refreshed and we took them to the nearby Rec Center for a swim and to take a shower as we were starting to smell a little. As it is with everything else in Aspen, the entrance fee at the Rec Center gave us quite the sticker shock! $15 per child and $17 per adult!!!! WHAT?!! Seriously? Even the excessively warm swimming pool did not soften the blow.

After swimming, we went back to the tent and i made us some couscous and Japanese curry for dinner. And then we went to meet our new friends for some more fire and more marshmallows!

Guess who played with the grills and got soot all over his face??

Back at Maroon Bells with different light

Starting our hike

Daddy checking out our distance

The boys giving mommy a hand

Family picture near rock crop

Tyler take a break from leading the hike

Cody catching a ride

Lunch time

Me and Alan

And the pesky kids

Cody checking out things with binoculars - can't see anything

No visit to lake is complete without throwing rocks

Beautiful view of Crater Lake

On the way back

Tyler feeling quite good about himself

Cody and his big mosquito bite

Playing in the stream near our campsite

Daddy rearranging the river rocks

Dinner is cooking

Kids helping start the fire

Putting logs on

Enjoying the warm fire

Superhero to end the night

Camping in Aspen - Day 1

It's our first camping trip of the year and by some good fortune(Thanks, Jeff!!), we managed to get a campsite at the much coveted Maroon Bells campsite, though we did come close to losing it!

Anyways, we left early Friday morning and got to Aspen around lunch time. After having a VERY expensive lunch at a Creperie in downtown posh Aspen, we headed to Maroon Bells to set up our tents. It started to drizzle as we set up our tents but by the time we were done, the sun was really trying to shine thru. Since it was trying, we thought we'd take the chance to go check out the Maroon Bells as we weren't sure how the weather was going to hold up for the rest of the weekend(forecast was very grim).

Turned out, the weather did hold out and we managed to take a little hike along the lake and creek. Aspen is just as beautiful as i remembered it at this time of the year. The wild flowers were blooming at its peak and it was absolutely gorgeous.

The kids enjoyed their little short hike and that night we were invited to join Jeff and his friends for taco dinner and roasted marshmallows in the fire.

Surrounded by crazy wild flowers

The kids with wild flowers

Maroon Bells in the background

Beautiful flowers

Artsy shot

Beautiful trail

Fuzzy water shot

Along the trail

All looking happy

At the famous Maroon Bells lake

Tyler and Cody