Hiking To Glenwood Springs Fish Hatchery

Last Sunday was a great easy hike with my cousins.  We did a great hike that took us through ranch land that is close to Storm King Mountain, where there was a huge wildfire in 1994.  As we walked on a very warm sunny morning, it was so fun to watch the kids kick around a soccer ball, check out the scenery, feed horses then feed the fish at the Glenwood Springs fish hatchery.

It was about 2 miles to the hatchery so we did a nice outing of about 4 miles.

Climbing Mt. Yale...In Sun, Wind, Snow, & Hail

Yesterday I set out to climb my first 14er (peak of 14,000 feet or higher) of the year, my first of the Collegiate Peaks in the Sawatch Range, and my 5th 14er.  There are 54 in Colorado.   This is my short version because I'm doing a longer version of the hike for my website Swept Away with Jennifer Broome.  Look for that soon.

According to 14ers.com Yale is 14,196' in elevation.  We were hiking the Southwest Trail that starts at 9,900' elevation.  That means a 9.5 mile round trip hike with a 4,296' elevation change.

The weather was looking iffy but we had a big group of some co-workers and friends and all wanted to give it a go.  So off we went at 7:22am - 14 of us and 3 dogs.  Within the the first 15 minutes our big group split as Amanda (the only other girl), Pete, Josh, and two dogs were hiking at a slower pace.  

That meant I was trying to hang with a group of 10 guys.  There were two 14er first timers in my group.  There were also several very seasoned hikers/climbers:  Chris leading the group, Sean who was the first cancer survivor to summit Everest, Sean's buddy Ryan, and Scott who hikes a lot.  This is my second 14er with Chris (did first 14er of Quandary with him) and third 14er with Scott (did Grays and Torreys with him).  We were going at a pretty good pace up the first big incline that you hit right off the bat, winding through the trees, tromping through snow, traversing logs across streams, and climbing higher and higher with sunshine changing to intermittent light snow showers.

As we started hiking out of the trees, getting above treeline, I started getting behind the guys by a few minutes because I was taking video (of course!).  I felt that if I could keep the guys in sight then I'd be okay.  I caught up to them as they were gearing up with additional winter gear because the wind and snow started picking up.  I'd been fine without gloves to that point but my hands were getting cold so put on my glove liners along with fleece pullover and wind shell.  As I was gearing up at 9:35am, the guys started to hike again.  My friends Jeremy and Jeremy offered to wait but I said go on because they had already been sitting and getting cold.  After gearing up myself and eating a GU packet, I started hiking again but went about 10 minutes and realized I needed my heavier gloves.  

So I trudged along, hoping the guys slow down some so I can catch up, and I got deep conversation with God about please just let me make it and really telling myself if the trail and weather got to treacherous then I would be smart, stop, and wait for the guys to come back down.  That's about the point when I looked up and saw my friend Sean running back to me.  He wanted to make sure I was okay and didn't want me hiking the rocky trail that was getting steeper by myself given the wintry conditions.  It took three times of Sean asking me to take my pack and I finally gave in.  That meant he was carrying mine and his....I justified it in my head that it was okay because he's training to take a group of cancer survivors up Kilimanjaro in July with Cancer Climber Association.  As we climbed another group coming down said we were about 15 minutes behind the group of guys.  As we're hiking I start noticing that my brain is working but as I'm talking either the words just don't come out or it sounded like I'd had a few too many.  That's altitude.  It also affected my stomach and the desire for any food went out the window.  That's definitely not good on a climb.  There were also plenty of moments of feeling like your heart is pumping up in your throat or going to burst as you gasp for air with less and less oxygen.

The guys going for Yale summit.

As Sean and I got to ridge line at 13,900' we had sunshine....but not for long.  

Sean took me around the side to ascend high.  But it meant I had to hug a rock and climb up through a crevasse with nothing but snow covered rocks extending below.  I have a fear of highs and this was incredibly tough for me.  I did it but but as we were making our way higher on the ridge line toward the final summit, the snow squall hit.  At this point, very shaken and extremely cold, I had what I'll just call my freak out on the mountain.  I was literally trembling out of fear and cold.  I made a decision I didn't want to have to make.  I was over 14,000' but with the near whiteout conditions my summit window to go the approximate last 150 feet or little less up had closed.  So Sean and I hiked back just a little bit so I could be in a semi-sheltered spot and he went forward to meet the other guys.  As he started solo, we saw the group getting closer to us.  There was no more waiting, it was time to go down and down in a hurry. 

The guys hiking back from summit in near whiteout conditions.

Smiling in the blowing snow...shortly after my freak out moment. 

My friend Scott helped me down as Sean and his friend Ryan had to get Sean's dog Maya down one area that was a little too sketchy for her.  As we climbed back to about 13,500' feet, we had a small break in the snow.  I took that as moment to re-center and get a Zen moment on a boulder.  We were there no more than 5 minutes before we had to move again as the next squall was moving in.  

As we got back to about 12,500' we saw the other three and two dogs.  They were doing great just going slow.  They were going to try to make an attempt at the top.  As we got back to about 11,200' we had hail - just another weather element to throw into the mix!

In total it took the first group about 9 hours to do the hike with the weather conditions.  For the second group it was even longer.  But finishing it made the challenge worth it.  I'm certainly thankful to have friend to help get me through even in the worst weather conditions.   

Hike to Greyrock...With a Race to a Boulder

Notice I said to in the title of this blog and not to the top of!  Sunday morning I headed out with some friends into the Poudre Canyon.  At 10am we set off to hike to Greyrock.  There are two routes you can take: the shorter but steeper route of 3.1 miles to the top includes a 1000' elevation change within one mile or the longer route that wraps and includes meadow that is 4.3 miles to the top.  We decided on the longer route in part because it wasn't so steep at the bottom.  Keep in the mind that the crew I hiked with didn't exactly come prepared for a long hike.  As my friend Ben put it, "I thought we were just heading out for a nice walk.  Now I know, when you hike with Jen Broome, you hike up!"  They funny part was that we were still on fairly flat trail, but we were starting to encounter more rocky terrain.

We started at 9:59am, which is later than I usually hike but I was trying to let my friends sleep in a little on a Sunday morning.  Yes I was up and raring to go before 6am!  So off we went navigating the trail of switchbacks and ever changing terrain from in the trees to open areas to getting above the trees where the rocks get bigger and bigger.  At one point we stopped to enjoy an amazing view.

That's where I decided to do a few yoga poses on the cliff.  Yes I'm right on the edge.

From that point we hiked up to a spot of big boulders then went up and down winding through boulders and trees as we worked or way to the meadow.  About 11:30am we took a snack break....and I realized I was the only one who brought snacks.  Needless to say the snacks were gone in one fell swoop.

So we trekked on to the meadow that offered a moment of peace....until I asked my friend Kat if she wanted to race to the boulder.  She said sure, why not and her husband Ben said he was in too.

So off we went on very bumpy terrain racing to a boulder with my friend Amanda filming it.  Amanda's husband Pete was taking some pictures and busted out laughing at us when he saw the three of us running like little kids to the boulder.  Kat and I were laughing so hard running that both of us almost fell over.  What hoot!  Three grown up kids racing to a boulder....just because.

At noon we started our climb out of meadow up to Greyrock.  After a few minutes we found ourselves off the trail and climbing straight up through rocks into the area that was burned as part of the Picnic Rock Fire in 2004.  While there is new growth and life coming back in the area, the scars of the fire are still very evident.

We had a great time just exploring and trying to find our way back to the trail.  Once back on trail, it wasn't long before we were at the Greyrock loop where you can take the Summit Trail to the top, head down to the meadow or take the Greyrock Trail back down.  Since it was 12:30pm, we decided to head down the steeper shorter route because we were getting short on time and remember I was the only one who had brought food.

After a short break, we headed down at 12:45pm.  At 1:55pm we were back at the trailhead and completed a 6.4 mile hike.  Not bad but next time I told the group we're heading all the to the top!

How A 3-4 Miler Turned Into 8

Just going to call myself out right now....I went over double what I'd plan to run/hike because I got caught up in scenery, accidentally went off trail and had to go down a mountain bike trail, and paying for not taking enough water. It's okay to laugh at me right now.  I've already laughed at myself.

So here's the story of my workout adventure.  I was at Matthews Winters Park for a shoot today.  Since I hadn't run the trails, I took along my workout gear.  I glanced at the trail map thinking I'll just do a 45 minute out and back to get in 3-4 miles.

Off I go on the Village Walk then Red Rocks Trail.  The trail is easy to navigate with some rocky spots.  There's not much shade though.

I got to a spot with an amazing view.  It was place where hiking and biking trails convergence.  So captivated by the view, of course I headed out on the cliff the started down.  Well that was my mistake.

While navigating where the trail was I realized I had gotten on the mountain bike trail going down the hill.  So I decided to go all in and just side step and step and slide my way down the rocky terrain.

When I hit the road and end of the Red Rocks Trail, I decided to keep going since I was so close to the Red Rocks Amphitheater.  Plus I figured they would have water fountains where I could re-fill my water bottle.

I approached the amphitheater on the backside.  There was one spot where I ventured up through the rocks then kept going on the road down to the Trading Post then back up to the stairs that just seemed to keep going and going.  Up I went to the top of the amphitheater.

Unfortunately for me there's a lot of construction so the Visitor Center wasn't open and water fountains weren't working. Time to ration the water I had left and head back.

On the way back I stayed on the right trail and realized how I made my mountain bike plunge trail mistake.

The alternative mountain bike route is on the left.  Should have stayed on trail to right.

Did a little more hiking than running on the way back but covered 8 miles....way more than the 3-4 miles I'd planned to do.  Oh well, sometimes you just have to get lost in the setting and just go.

Running the Rock

Today I ran the Rock in Castle Rock.  Guess I should say I ran up, around the top, down, around the base, back up, around the top again, and down.  I've certainly seen the Rock from the highway but never hiked or run it.

So today I had to drive to Castle Rock and decided running the Rock was going to be my workout for the day.  I really enjoyed watching the clouds roll and winds pick up as I went up, down, and around the Rock.  If you do it once around the distance is 1.4 miles.

I ran the .5 miles up the John Emerson Summit first, then did the .2 miles around the Rock, then back down the half mile trail, then around the Paul Hill trail, including the climb on the other side of the Rock that leads you back up to the top, then the .2 miles at the top again, and back down.  Total for me was 2.6 miles going from a starting elevation of 6,220' and peaking at 6,590'.

The Summit Trail

View from the top

Loop around the top

On Paul Hill Trail

Close to the top

That's Pikes Peak in the distance

I really enjoyed the solo time and running somewhere new.  Now to spend some time with my foam roller!

Royal Arch Hike

Yesterday I met some friends in Boulder to hike up to Royal Arch.  It was the perfect weather for a hike - sunny and cool.  The Royal Arch Trail is a butt kicker.  It's tough and steep spots.  It's 3.2 miles but the elevation is 1, 205 feet.  Since it goes up and down, the elevation gain round trip is 1,417 feet.

The view from the top is definitely worth the work you put in to getting there.

The Royal Arch was formed by wind, water, and mechanical erosion.  It is a fragment of the Fountain Formation.  The mineral rich sand eroded from the ancestral Rocky Mountains uplift 300 million years ago.  From the ebb and flow of inland oceans, the sediments were compressed into a layer of sandstone then thrusted upward by the same tectonic force that created the present day Rocky Mountains.

If you're in the Boulder area, it's a great moderately strenuous hike. Go for it!

Power Walking In The Land of Dinosaurs

I had a shoot for an upcoming Explore Colorado special today and headed back out the Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison.  We wrapped shoot about noon and I wanted to get in a workout.  Normally on Wednesdays I take Mad Abs and Dirty 30 from noon to 1pm but missed the classes today.

With my right hamstring bothering me and sore from intense workouts Monday and Tuesday, I decided I was going to power walk or hike.  If we finished our shoot early enough, I was going to head over the the Matthews-Winters trail in Red Rocks.  But since it was a little after noon and knowing I had a tons of stuff to get done this afternoon, I decided on the power walk at Dinosaur Ridge.  That decision was also made shortly after I saw a snake slithering by on the trail as we headed up Dakota Ridge trail a bit to shoot something.  It was a bull snake, which keep rattlesnakes away...but still I'm not a fan of snakes!

From the gate to the bone site on the other side of ridge is 1.5 miles.  So off I went, power walking my way up the gradual incline of the ridge and over to the other side.  I actually went beyond the bone site to the other gate to get in a little more mileage.  Which meant I probably did closer to 3.5-4 miles.

On the way to my turn around point I really enjoyed watching the clouds roll in over the Foothills.

On the way back the view of the clouds coming in over Red Rocks was just spectacular.  Definitely a right decision to workout, clear my head, and really enjoy a cool place.

Up To Highest Point In Red Rocks Park

Even though I was pretty tired Saturday, I got up and took to the hills.  Two of my cousins decided to do the last minute hike with me.  We planned to beat the cold, rainy and snowy weather and yes we did.  We hiked up Mount Morrison, which neither of my cousins had ever done.

Instead of just up and back down the same trail, we actually started on the backside in Idledale, which has an elevation of 6,460 feet.  We started at 8:20am and made it up to the top at 9:07am, in 47 minutes.  We were moving at a pretty good clip to reach the top at 7,881 feet, climbing about 1,400 feet.

It was beautiful at the top with views of some of Colorado's highest peaks including Longs, Evans, and Pikes Peaks.  One of my favorite views was Mount Evans surrounded by clouds.

Then at 9:20am we started the over 1,400 foot and 1.3 or 1.4 mile hike down, which was very steep and rocky.  It's considered a Class 2 hike, which means you have to climb in spots and use your hands to maneuver.  There were a few moments I regretted that I was in running shoes instead of hiking shoes.

But through some climbing through rocks and a few slides on some small scree we made it down and were walking to breakfast at 10:30am.

Definitely a thigh burner and great workout in just over two hours.  

Trekking Across Dinosaur Ridge

After a shoot at Dinosaur Ridge, I decided instead of heading over to Red Rocks that I was going to run/hike the Dakota Ridge Trail.  Erin from Dinosaur Ridge said the views are spectacular...but watch for rattlesnakes.  Now that's a different run for me - run and watch for rattlers!  So I parked my car at the gate entrance of Dinosaur Ridge and started running up the road to the trailhead.

Right at the trailhead I noticed a mountain biker and decided to let him make it down the last switchback before I headed up.  I asked him if he had seen any snakes.  Just one he said, then commented on how early it is to see them.  Great.  Blame snakes coming out early on the weather!  He told me where it was and I had so ground to cover before getting close to the snake spotted zone.

I jumped on trail and started the climb up to the ridge line.  I quickly noticed the ever-changing terrain and constant rolling of this ridge.

It wasn't long before I got the great views of Red Rocks, Morrison, Golden, and even Denver.

There were a couple of spots that I just had to stop and soak up the scenery of the Foothills, jagged rocks, petrified trees, and the trail that lies ahead.  I kept going through the trail that does turn into a single track trail through rocks and boulders in a few points.

I asked a few other folks if they'd seen any snake.  All said no until two women said yes and that it was about 30 minutes down trail in the ravine.  There was a guy hiking a little ways behind me so at least I knew if I did run into a rattler there would be someone not too far behind.  About 10 minutes after I ran into the women a guy was running the other way and said he didn't see the snake.  So feeling a little better I kept going, but still slower than I normally would as I was keeping an eye out for rattlesnakes as I traversed the ridge line.

As I got closer to the ravine, a guy named Jason was on the home stretch of his run and took the raven and uphill to next ridge peak with me.  Actually nice to have someone to chat with for a bit on my run/hike. I hit my turn around point and was able to take the trail back at a faster pace since I wasn't so scared to run into a snake but still had to go back through some tough terrain.

 
It took me 45 minutes to get all the way back to my car, including a couple of stops to take a few pictures.  The Dakota Ridge Trail is 2.2 miles and add the distance to and from my car to trailhead and it was close to 3 miles each way.

It's a great run or hike.  Make sure you take water, wear sunscreen, and watch for snakes!

Hikin' The Ranch

Saturday morning I woke up before everyone else (of course on my early AM schedule).  Since I was at a fabulous ranch in Paonia, CO I headed off for a nice walk and talk.  I had a great phone chat with my mom while watching the sun rise on a chilly morning.  Peeka, my dog, and I did a little exploring around the barn too.

After breakfast we all, including 3 dogs, went on a hike around the ranch for about an hour.  It was a great adventure and exercise.

Giddy Up & Go At Smith Fork Ranch

Saturday I had a jammed packed day of activity at Smith Fork Ranch.  I started with what I can exploration workout.  It was a combination of hiking, running and just plain ole exploring.  I was off on this adventure that including hiking straight up a hill from the ponds to capture to sun rising over the mountains.

After breakfast we headed out on a trail ride.  It was the perfect morning to ride through the fall foliage and enjoy a gorgeous warm fall day.  We rode for about an hour and a half.

After lunch it was a fly fishing clinic the fishing in the ponds for about an hour and a half.

We topped off the afternoon with archery on the range and then on the course.  It's a great arm workout.

Just a great day on the ranch!