Paint Mines Interpretive Park

This morning we ate breakfast at Jay's Prairie Rose in Laramie and then went for a short walk along the Laramie River in town. After our walk, I headed south into Colorado to use up some Annual Leave while Noelle, Mom, and Sierra headed east to home. It was an uneventful drive into the eastern plains of Colorado and I was excited to finally arrive at Paint Mines Interpretive Park just outside the small community of Calhan. I parked at the Overlook Parking Lot, checked out the overlook 

and then headed out on the trail system.

The views in this small park out on the plains are spectacular!

It's like a smaller, more colorful version of Badlands National Park. There are areas of colorful hoodoos.

A well-designed trail system takes you right into the heart of the formations.

After exploring the main section of the park, I hiked a trail up above the heart of the formations with a few nice overlooks of the badlands and some wildflowers.

Then, the trail heads away from the paint mine formations into the prairie. Still, the views are pretty nice, even with the windmills spinning off in the distance.

Wildlife spotted included a garter snake and a small herd of mule deer.

As I started to make my way back to the badlands, I was treated to the sight of a beautiful rainbow in the sky above.

I returned to the car just as the sun was starting to set.

It would be a long drive in the dark to my campsite at the Wither's Canyon Trailhead just outside of La Junta, Colorado. 

Medicine Bow National Forest: Centennial Trail

This morning, Noelle, Sierra, Mom T and I set out for a little mini road trip to Laramie. We had lunch at a picnic table behind the Centennial Visitor Center, then headed up into the high country for some sightseeing (and moose spotting!)

before returning to the visitor center to hike the short Centennial Trail and enjoy the fall colors.

This would be our second time on this trail. We had previously hiked it on our way back home from our Idaho/Utah trip this summer. According to Marc Smith's book "Hiking Wyoming's Medicine Bow National Forest" this is supposed to be a loop hike, but we haven't found a loop either time we've hiked it. 

The trail starts just behind the visitor center and almost immediately features some nice fall color.

The aspen trees feature not only the standard gold foliage color, but also some rich oranges and reds. It is an extremely easy hike and roundtrip we probably walked about 1 mile. 

Quandary Peak

Last night I camped at the pleasant Peak One Campground near the Dillon Reservoir. 

My site was really nothing special, but it was fun to watch the chipmunks,

and I had a great view of a mountain that I suppose is Peak One. 

This morning I woke up at 4 am and packed up camp and ate breakfast. Then, I made the short drive into Breckenridge where I parked at the South Gondola Parking Structure and caught the first shuttle of the day bound for the Quandary Peak Trailhead. We arrived in the dark at about 5:30 and I immediately hit the trail. 

The hike starts by following a short section of road, before veering off onto a true hiking trail. 

The first mile or so of trail, passes through a pleasant, wooded area with a steady, but not too steep, incline.

I reached tree line just as the sun rose through a low bank of clouds. 

Soon, the climbing would start in earnest. There were nice views off to the south and the Blue Lakes.

As I ascended higher, I caught a glimpse of several pikas 

and a large flock of rosy finches. 

There were intermittent stretches of sun and clouds.

However, by the time I found myself at the final climb to the summit, I was completely engulfed in clouds.

The last mile was pretty slow going. I would hike for about 100 yards and then take a short break. Eventually, I was standing on the summit without any view of the surrounding landscape.

I spent about 5 minutes at the summit area, but it was cold and there wasn't any view and so I headed down. As I descended, the clouds started to lift a bit offering some nice views.

The going down was much easier than the ascent and I was able to enjoy the view and the wildflowers more than I had on the way up.

A ground squirrel seemed to pose for a picture just off the trail.

I was back to the trailhead in time for the 10:30 shuttle back to Breckenridge. I feel like I made pretty good time. I would estimate 3 hours up and 2 hours on the way back. Once back to the parking structure, it was a long drive back home. 

7:30 Mine Trail

 Today was day one of my annual 14er climbing trip. This year I will make an attempt on Quandary Peak near Breckenridge, Colorado. However, for a warm-up hike, today would take me up the 7:30 Mine Trail to the Griffin Memorial.

I started my day at the Kelly Dahl Campground outside of Nederland, Colorado. Unlike my previous stays at this campground, last night I practically had the place to myself. This morning, I woke up, ate breakfast, packed up camp and then hit the road. After a brief stop in Idaho Springs to grab a coffee, I drove on to the small town of Silver Plume and parked downtown to start my hike up the 7:30 Mine Trail. 

Right at the start of the trail there is some old mining infrastructure, including what appears to be some type of flume.

The trail climbs steadily right from the start. Luckily the grades are not too steep. Soon a view opens up over the town of Silver Plume.

The trail continues to ascend, passing more mining relics.

Occasionally, the trail passes through stands of attractive aspen trees.

Moving on, I passed an old, rotting mining shack.

Then I found an old mine adit. 

Since it wasn't sealed, I went in a short distance and looked out.

Further up the trail were more mines, these were grated off.

Soon, I arrived at the Clifford Griffin Memorial, the final resting place of a man who had been born in England. 

The views from the memorial were pretty spectacular. I could look down onto traffic on Interstate 70 far below.

There was also a view of a tall, slender waterfall trickling down the mountain nearby.

I continued on the trail past the memorial and found more evidence of mining activity.

I could also look back to the Griffin Memorial looming over Clear Creek far below.

I made my way back towards the trailhead enjoying the occasional view.

I even caught a glimpse of the Georgetown Loop Railroad which Noelle, Sierra, and I had ridden a few years ago.