Day 54 9.10
Since the designated camping started about 4 years ago, not only do we have more wildflowers between the sites, but the birds have come back. They love perching on my hatch & on top of my Thule.
I’d read on one of the local CB FB groups that a new section had been built onto the 403. This trail is up the road from camp & I was excited to see what the changes were. This will be the third time I’ve hiked this trail this summer. The road is in horrid shape…I’ve seen in worse one other time, but for the first time in years, I didn’t make the narrow hairpin turn at the top. I let my foot off the brake, (it’s so steep of course it rolled back a bit…not much room) readjusted the wheels & made it up. Once out of the 4Runner & adding water to my backpack, I noticed the skies above me growing very dark.
Actually it was one huge black cloud above me…not moving. I got back in the car to drive back to camp, but the skies in front of me & to the side were clear. Making another turn around I went back, parked, loaded my pack, & took off on the trail. I hiked as fast as I could. Right before the top I heard a boom of thunder. I kept on hiking fast & made it to the viewpoint.
If you look to the far right, that was where the thunder was coming from. I knew it was far off, but what concerned me this time was a deluge of rain. If that upper part of the road gets very wet, it’s super slick. It’s so rough & the gullies & sides of the road are too deep to get stuck in. I snapped a few pics & left.
It dawned on me on the way back I hadn’t seen any changes on this trail. The trail has an upper section (which I was on) & a lower section. Now I was betting the changes were on the lower part of the trail. It’s always a lovely wonderful hike, but today, it’d just been super fast & furious.
When I got back to the trailhead, there was a couple standing there in the parking lot. They told me they’d started up the trail but turned around when they saw the darkening skies & heard thunder. I told them that I didn’t want to be on the road if it rained very hard, but gave them lower elevation hikes they could substitute. Then I headed back down the road, no problems on the hairpin turn & no one coming up the road either. Deep sigh of relief!
Since it was now looking like it was going to storm everywhere in town, I headed to Gunnison. I needed groceries & they are 1/2 the price they are in CB (so is ice & gas is cheaper too.) Since they’ve remodeled the grocery store in CB, the prices have skyrocketed & they no longer have a water refill machine. I don’t feel bad about not buying local when they redo the store for the rich tourists & not consider the locals who need buy groceries every week all year.
I had lunch at the Alpine Brewery…they have a great goat cheese & beet salad & a good stout beer. Then I went to the store, then headed back north to CB.
While in camp it stormed big time & we had tons & tons of rain. I can usually sit in the back of the 4Runner with the hatch open during rains & storms, but this one was windy too, so I had to close the hatch & snuggle down inside with all the doors shut.
I ended up spending the evening watching the debate between Trump & Harris & Danny & I texting all through it, sharing our thoughts & comments. I laughed as I saw one friend post on IG, “this is going to be a two bourbon night”…I agreed.
Day 55 9.11
Talie had to have some work done on her bike, so she dropped it off in town early this morning, I picked her up & we went to Paradise for breakfast…always so good!
Then I went to hike Oh Be Joyful hopefully getting as far as the “gate to nowhere”. The skies were moody again today.
Lots of bear activity around here (there’s an official NF campground close by…so there’s sure to be bears close by too!)
Two different views of of the same waterfall.
The leaves are pockets of new fall color!
Some color & another waterfall.
There are so many waterfalls along this trail.
A closer view of the waterfall
I kept hiking up the valley, then about this time I heard the familiar ‘booms’ of incoming storms. I had one tiny bit of forest to go through then the huge open meadow to the gate. But, what was the point of getting myself in the open. I have turned around on so many hikes this trip…I guess I didn’t expect so many storms in September…July yes, but this weather has been unexpected.
Once back at my 4Runner, I drove up the road to my old campsite near the river. I was hoping it was unoccupied & I’d just park there for a couple of hours & reminisce. But, as it usually is, it was filled with an RV. So, I just drove back to my lovely current site. Then the wind picked up, ripping my old tent I use as a placeholder for my site. So, I sat inside & watched & listened to the bad weather roll into camp & read my book.
The weather cleared in time for another fire, although it was a lot cooler. John & Tracy brought their skoolie out to camp for the night & Brian & Hank joined the party too. We had a big spread, some good beer & always lots of fun & wonderful conversation. But it was definitely going to be a cold cold night tonight.
Day 56 9.12
Today Sara leaves for New Hampshire to run in the Ragnar Relay race…from the White Mountains to the beach; about 200 miles. I’m so excited for her to do something she’s always wanted to try! I’ll be thinking of her all day. And, Luke & Jordan fly to Philly today…kids on the road & in the air doing the things they love!
Tracy & I ended up visiting all morning & walking her dogs up the road to the gravel pits. Wow…the trees are changing fast. I so enjoyed the morning just us talking & talking. She’s such an awesome person & I love it when she comes out to camp.
I decided I’d just stay in camp all day. I read another book & just enjoyed the peace & quiet of this time of year.
My only pic of the day was from tonights campfire & the sweet sky above the Mother Rock.
Day 57 9.13
I am getting close to my time to leave, but I wanted to drive Kebler Pass & check out all the Aspens. They weren’t turning yet…a few here & there, but mostly still green. I drove out to Lost Lake to hike the Three Lake Loop this morning. It had a surprising number of people on the trail including a group of 14 women.
Waterfall along the loop.
That floating grass is a sign of moose activity…but none were here in the middle of the day…boo!
Bright red foliage…another sign of fall in the mountains.
Wow! As I drove back to my little camp home, it’s amazing how fast the trees are turning gold out here.
I got out my book once back at camp, then Talie & I built an early fire. Neither one of us lasted long tonight…Brian wasn’t back to camp yet, but Hank came down for a few minutes, but he’d done a big hike today, so he left early too. We tucked in super early tonight & I feel asleep right away.
Day 58 9.14
I took another long & lazy morning in camp, just relishing the sights, smells & sounds, knowing I’d be leaving soon until next summer. I finally left & hiked the Meander trail. The hunters are out…just bow & black powder, but I didn’t think they’d be along this trail. I had a few bikers whiz by, but no other hikers.
A different view of Gothic mountain with a little deer in the forefront of the photo.
A stand of pretty fall colored Aspens.
The East River as it winds through now brown & green fields instead of wildflower fields.
After my hike, I got a slice of pizza from the Stash & more fuel for my backpacking stove. Then it’s the same old same ol but never boring for me…back to camp to read & build a fire.
Good fire tonight!
And the moon is getting more full each night & coming up over the Butte.
Day 59 9.15
Sunday morning & Talie was off to her church & I drove into Butte Bagel…yummy sandwiches. I ate 1/2 & save 1/2 for later then drove just a bit out of town to the Woods Walk. I thought maybe the trail under Aspens would have turned by now.
And some were turning.
It was a gray morning with skies that looked like they’d open up & pour rain at any moment.
After my hike, I went to town to see the Vinotok celebrations begin. I’ve only participated in this one year, but I had a blast. It was a long long time ago, but I still have the costume I made to wear to it.
The burn will take place in the VC parking lot & the structure is already up & ready.
But at the end of Elk, the stage was set & the parade & dancing & storytelling would begin soon.
Here’s a bit of Vinotok!
Some of the altars around town.
And the wonderful people all dressed up that participate in this event.
The Harvest Mother.
And the belly dancers.
And before it was over, my phone rang…it was Sara. I moved down the street so I could hear her better…I was excited to talk to her & see how the event went. Then the wind picked up, the rain started & it got COLD! So, I just kept walking the few blocks to my 4Runner, tucked inside my warm & dry home on wheels & visited with her.
Then I drove back out to camp, loving the trees & seeing the changes so fast. I knew I wouldn’t be here for peak, but I was really enjoying the colors near our camp.
Back at camp, around 4:30 the sun came out. Talie & Hank were both out there also waiting for the good weather to blow back in. It would be our last campfire tonight…Talie had already packed away her tent & so had I. She would be sleeping in her own bed tonight in town as she had a big float plan for early in the morning. I would be heading out early too tomorrow.
But the weather kept playing games with us. The rain started again, then stopped, repeat, repeat. I’d already started the fire & just kept stoking it even as it was raining. When the rain ended I wanted us to still have a fire. (Below is a bad photo taken from the inside of my 4Runner…the fire is still going!)
We were all able to sit around the last campfire for about 30 minutes, then it started pouring again. But, we did all get to witness the wonderful rainbows CB has so often.
Then it was raining harder & time to say ’till next year!". Hugs all around & good byes as we all got a bit wet.
Talie, whom I’ve so enjoyed camping with this summer holds such a special place in my heart. And, it was great to meet a new adventurous friend --Hank.
Eventually after everyone was gone….Talie back to her house in CB & Hanks to his sisters house in town for dinner, there was just me. No campers on either side of me & only Hank’s trailer behind me.
It quit raining & all was quiet & beautiful. I just sat there so very very grateful for all the good in my life, this place, my family, my friends & the time to come here year after year.
Day 60 9.16
I opened my door early this morning & caught this gorgeous sky…what a beauty!
It was cold as I got out of the back (my bed) & into the front of the 4Runner. Everything was packed up & ready to go & the campsite was clean.
I couldn’t help but take a few more shots from my campsite & on the way out.
Looking back towards my campsite.
I’d wanted to drive Gothic Road one last time yesterday, but when the weather went to crap, I put it off until today. So, I headed there first…this was the first place I camped for about my first 5 years out here. I love love the views from this road. And hardly anyone was out here this early on a Monday morning.
So here’s some random shots as I drove.
Sun shines lighting up the gold leaves.
Heading down Gothic road.
Love this shot of the gold agains the stormy skies.
Gothic peeking out from colorful Aspens.
Gothic looks so different from this side vs. the other side from back at camp.
One last shot of the huge & amazing Gothic Mountain.
After my drive, I stopped one last time for my fave pancake at Paradise & to say goodbye to the staff that I’ve gotten to know over the years. I’d sent a text to Tracy on my way out of town saying good bye & she asked me stop by. I was just past her beautiful home, but pulled a quick u-turn & headed back. I passed on the hot shower she offered, but took her up on a fresh piece of pie to go that John had baked the night before. Then hugs & good vibes for all the time in between until we see each other next time!
Then I headed south…see you next year Crested Butte!
Taylor Reservoir as I head towards Cottonwood Pass.
I’d originally planned to camp on this side of the pass. But with all the hunters coming out & it getting more cold at night, I decided I’d just go back to Turtle Rock for two nights instead of one.
The view on this moody morning from the top of Cottonwood Pass. I’d just get off the summit trail as it began to rain.
Colors turning as I drove down Cottonwood Pass.
I drove up to the campground & found a site…the same site I’d been in a couple of weeks ago. There were many to choose from, but I kind of liked my little site.
It rained all day & I was cuddled inside my 4Runner. So, I’d worked on my website, which had been having more problems over last week. I truly thought this time it done & dead & gone. But, something worked this time & it was revived & brought back from the almost-dead. Since I thought it was a goner, I was now behind two weeks worth of writing & moving photos. A rainy cold day was the perfect time to start getting it done.
Around 4:30 the rain stopped, & the sun popped out. My effort at a campfire tonight was a waste of time as nothing I did would keep it going. Finally after dark, I spread the pitiful logs out & headed to bed to read.
I was a bit happy it didn’t seem like it would be quite as cold tonight as it had been the past two weeks.