Red Cliffs Lodge, Moab, Utah- (1/1/2013)

View from back porch of our room.

 Alright, I wanted to do something different for this post and review a lodge we stayed in for our honeymoon. We decided to take the King Suite at the Red Cliffs Lodge. It's located about 20 minutes outside of Moab and overall I thought was a great value for the money. We stayed in the dead of winter and I don't think the temperature reached more than 10 degrees F the entire time we were there. It was very peaceful, had a decent free breakfast every morning and a community outdoor hot tub. For more amenities, check out their website, http://www.redcliffslodge.com/

I would recommend this place as the staff was friendly and some of the views were truly breathtaking. So if you're considering a trip to Moab, check this place out!

 Check this video of Red Cliffs in the Winter time here!

 

Hanging Lake, Glenwood Springs, CO- (12-31-2012)

Location:Hanging Lake, Glenwood Springs, CO

Date: 12/31/12

How far we went: 1 mile up + 1 mile down = 2 total

How long it took us: About 3 hours

Elevation reached: 7,040 ft

Weather: VERY COLD (Never was about 6 degrees F)

I'm making this post after my other Hanging Lake post, but we actually did this one a year before and I'm just now getting around to posting it. This was a very cold trip but it's totally worth it. Take in the pictures and enjoy. 2 miles if you go from bottom to top, and then back down. I wouldn't make this a first-time winter hike. It's not too challenging but the last scramble to the top is too much to handle for some, especially with all the ice and snow. Make sure you have appropriate footwear such as yaktrax.


I posted this already but I will do so again.... There is a large parking lot with ample spaces but you should make a note that YOU CANNOT ACCESS HANGING LAKE FROM I-70 EASTBOUND. YOU MUST TURN AROUND AT EXIT 121. Don't get pissed off and confused, turning around adds 5-10 minutes in the trip, maybe more in awful weather but I promise it is well worth the wait.  


Also, here is a video of Hanging Lake. Only this is from a year later, not on the day these pictures were taken. 

Quick stop at Vail Pass

 

Hanging Lake, Glenwood Springs, CO- (12/21/2013)

Location:Hanging Lake, Glenwood Springs, CO

Date: 12/13/13

How far we went: 1 mile up + 1 mile down = 2 total

How long it took us: About 3 hours

Elevation reached: 7,040 ft

Weather: Cold, snowy, overcast.

My partner and I were married here and it was a very magical day so we like to return sometimes, mostly during winter. The video above shows lots of water flowing but we have definitely been here when everything is frozen solid. The trip up is roughly a mile with varying terrain. If you're going in the winter time, I suggest yaktrax or something of the like to aid you in your ascent. Also, the last leg of the hike is a steep scramble up and in the winter months you'll want all the grip you can get. There are 7 bridges labeled a 1-7 to keep track of your progress. When you see the lake, you can hike above it to see more beautiful flowing water. Don't be lazy and stop at the lake, take the extra 1/10th of a mile hike up to the top.


There is a large parking lot with ample spaces but you should make a note that YOU CANNOT ACCESS HANGING LAKE FROM I-70 EASTBOUND. YOU MUST TURN AROUND AT EXIT 121. Don't get pissed off and confused, turning around adds 5-10 minutes in the trip, maybe more in awful weather but I promise it is well worth the wait.  

I apologize for the wide-angle photos. Like a dummy, I left our DSLR on and ran the battery dead so all we had was the GoPro. For more photos of Hanging Lake in the winter, check out my other blog post on it here.

Round Mountain, Loveland, CO- (5/27/2013)

Location: Round Mountain, Loveland, CO

Date: 5/27/2013

How far we went: 9.2 miles

How long it took us: 6:15:29

Elevation reached: 9461

Weather: Warm and very sunny

Wow, what can I say about this trail? When we arrived it was already beginning to be very hot. We saw a woman ahead of us come walking back exclaiming there was a bear ahead and that she was turning back! We decided to forge ahead and met up with an artist painting the overlook of the road below. She noted she heard something large rustling in the trees/bushes. At this point I thought to myself that there is no way I am turning back now because I wanted a picture of the bear. To no avail I never got that picture as Mr. Bear eluded us for our duration on the mountain. At first I didn't think much of the hike. A slow ascent to the top over 4 miles. Your progress is tracked by four markers appropriately labeled 1, 2, 3, & 4. Some really nice views are spread throughout the hike with changing scenery are altitude increases.  In the spring/summer there are some beautiful plants and flowers to excite the senses but I had no clue what was waiting for us at the top.

When we finally reached the top we were somewhat disappointed that there wasn't a clear summit or view from the top. Then we noticed a GIANT pile a trail magic type of rocks... With curiosity we approched and found a metal tube with a resealable top with a notebook and a pen inside. It read "Round Mountain Log: In memory of Nick Brant, who loved this mountain. 2012" ... What was this? A memorial? I've seen them on hikes before but for this reason it really struck my emotions. Deeply. Here I was bitching about how this hike wasn't on par with our other adventures and then I came across this memorial and everything changed. I saw what this mountain meant to Nick and all the beautiful messages that travelers have left for him along with the massive pile of stoned that had been amassed in only 1 year. What a sight. I'll admit I wept on the top of the mountain that day. I will never forget that moment. Even though here in CO I have scaled peaks in the snow, rushed down class 4 river rapids, and skied terrifying black diamond slopes, I can honestly say that this moment was more special to me than all of them combined. I Googled his name but nothing came up. I really wish I knew who he was. Hopefully, someone will see this who knows what his story is. I would love nothing more than to hear it. If you know, please contact me at trailmixxxx@gmail.com

Anyways, do this hike, leave Nick a nice message at the top and appreciate every day you have with nature and the ones you love.

Swan Johnson, Shoreline, and Nomad Trail- 7/23/2013 (Horsetooth Mountain Open Space)

 

 

 

Location: Horsetooth Mountain Open Space

Date: 7/23/2013

How far we went: Around 2.87 miles

How long it took us: About an hour and a half

Elevation reached: Not very high

Weather: Sunny in the summer!

My friends were passing through Colorado so I met them to camp up at Horsetooth Rock for an evening and a quick hike in the AM before they departed. Towards the end of the summer the water level drops in the reservoir and leaves a muddy/mucky mess around the shoreline, but still provides scenic views and these trails are very easy for anyone. This hike is ideal for those who don't mind venturing out, but are never far from the trail head and doesn't present a challenge to those not familiar with hiking, small youngsters and/or the elderly. This particular day was quite peaceful, but when the boats on the water get fired up and people start partying for the day, it definitely isn't silent.

If you're not camping up there and are coming in an automobile, you're going to want to park at the Soderbreg Open Space trailhead & parking which is off Shoreline Dr. One more suggestion, if you are camping, even in the middle of summer, the wind can howl in the middle of the night and temperatures can drop quickly. Sleep near the fire or pack an extra blanket.