Just Down That Dirt Road

When: April 3, 2013
Where: Park County, China Wall, Lost Creek Wilderness


After our first night of camping of the season, we left and headed North-ish back toward home.We pulled into a couple dirt roads just to see where they would take us.Down one of the dirt roads we came across 4x4 trails to "China Wall."After driving a little further on the 4x4 trail, we came to another sign that welcomed us to "The Box Canyon".We decided to park the truck, the dog had to stay behind as he has a recent ACL tear, we grabbed some water and a light snack and headed across the stream into the box canyon.

What a gem!


A view of the box canyon as we headed toward it. I was using my iPhone Macro lens.

There are some maintained, distinct trails; otherwise you are faced to jump, climb, or do whatever you feel comfortable doing to get over the large boulders.We attempted several times to cross the icy stream to get to the other side where it was sunny and warmer; however, the ice would break beneath us and jumping across was far too much in the event we would have fell.We continued on the side we were on working our way around the large rock formation until we could get into some sun and warm up.

We were very weary of mountain lions - we did find some scat either that of a bobcat or mountain lion.With the dog in the truck, almost time for lunch, and coming across cat scat, we decided to turn around and head back.

There were several established campsites along the way, where people had used a side of the large boulders as a wind block for the fire.

We definitely look forward to heading back to this canyon for more hiking and possibly a backpacking trip closer to Summer time!

"Just over that next ridge." ~Colorado Altruism

"Just down that dirt road." ~Me

"Always a gem hidden down a dirt road." ~J.A.

"I always find some of my favorite places just driving around random dirt roads." ~J.A.

First Camp - Liar, Liar Meteorologist!

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When: April 2, 2013
Where: Near Badger Mountain, Park County,
 Forest Road 224 & County Road 599

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On our way back to Summit County from Colorado Springs, we planned to find a place to set up camp for the night. We made a not-so-quick stop at a local grocery store in Woodland Park where we came to find that we did not plan for meals very well. Both of us starving from only one meal earlier that day, still were so indecisive about what we would want to cook for meals at camp.
We ended up getting a couple different kinds of meats, veggies, bread, juice, and snacks.


We hit the highway again...


Looking at the weather forecast online and listening to weather on local radio, we knew we had an easy night ahead of us...or so we though.

Turning off a dirt road and following our atlas, then turning down a smaller dirt road.We knew we were near "Badger Mountain".As we weaved in and out of old campsites, we decided we just had to pick one so we could get set up and get some food in us. The clouds were low and it was just above freezing. Camp and a fire were ready to go. I added about 2 more layer of clothes, and attempted to hunch around the fire to keep warm. It just wasn't happening. We ended up starting the truck and turning the heat on high, hung out and ate inside the car and conserved fire wood so we could camp the following night. The snow came and left - came and left - came and left.

Once we finished our dinner, we hopped into the tent and into our sleeping bags. Luckily, I had two heat packs in my bag to keep me extra warm through the night. It started snowing harder and harder, and turned to freezing rain. Several times during the night we had to knock off the snow and ice from the top of our tent to prevent it from sinking and breaking.

By early morning, there were a few inches of snow around the tent. We stayed in our sleeping bags until brave enough to bear the cold to make coffee.

After some hot coffee in us we hiked around the area a bit now that it was blue sky, sunny, and the low-laying clouds had passed. We could now see Badger Mountain, surrounding farms, and the Tarryall Mountain Range.

We packed up and headed toward Tarryall Reservoir, staying on as many dirt roads as possible. Right before hitting Tarryall Road (the main road to the reservoir), we came across a small herd of antelope and they took off as soon as we approached.

Although our first camp night of the season turned into a cold, snowy, freezing rain storm that we were a little unprepared for (no thanks to the meteorologists!), it was still successful. We got away from town, civilization, and just got to relax our minds.

Spring Ahead

Daylight Savings. Longer days. Lots of light. 40-50 degree days. 6 days until it is officially Spring!

Today I am going through storage and pulling out backpacks, shoes, boots, headlamps, batteries...the list goes on!
I am going to pack and organize my Gregory Jade 50 pack and take it on a little hike with me today! No better time to practice and train for backpacking season than on a sunny, 50-degree day!!!

Having traveled for most of my life, to many different countries; I am used to be able to pack up to 50 pounds in extremely large suitcases! Now my travels seem to be mostly backpacking trips around the State of Colorado, space and weight is key!

I can't pack (and don't need to) dresses, skirts, heels, makeup, hair products, and a hundred pairs of shoes and outfits. I am training myself to pack light with basic essentials; bras and underwear, socks, 1 tank, 1 tee, 1 long sleeve, 1 jacket, long underwear for sleeping, a sweater for sleeping or sitting by the campfire, convertible pants, warm hat & gloves, bathing suit if needed, bandanas....only essentials to keep warm (or cool) and comfy!

Last year was my first serious backpacking season and I constantly overpacked. Hey! I am still learning. I will train myself.

Going to the bathroom and bathing in the wild is still, well, my least favorite thing about backpacking. I'm a girl. A woman. A female! And I like private restrooms. I like toilets over a log or a bush. And I like hot, steamy showers!
I like looking and feeling pretty. I like doing hair and makeup and dressing up! But I seem to be getting passed that point with backpacking; I am learning to do without doing hair and makeup everyday. No really, I am! :)

Changing Seasons

With the lack of snow in the mountains of Summit County again this season, we can at least hope for another early Spring & Summer.

The peaks are already brown. Dirt roads in the mountains are almost completely dirt, no snow...still a lot of ice left. Mountain run-off has already begun. My hikes to and from work on Peak 7 in Breckenridge is accompanied by the sound of the streams flowing from the run-off. Though the sound is quite calming, one can only wonder what the wildfire hazards will be like through Summer.

With a high of 37 degrees in town today, it almost feels like Springtime already. The last 2 weeks have been 20 below zero, so it is a nice change of temperature!

I have never been interested in Winter sports (although I have taken snowboarding lessons and have gone out on my own a handful of times), I look forward to the upcoming Spring and Summer seasons.

We are already planning our backpacking, hiking, and camping trips. I received a new sleeping bag for Christmas. Bought myself tent booties, hiking pants, & backpacking boots. And I already took out the backpacks and hydration bladders out of storage. I know, I know... still a little soon, but I will be extra-prepared this season! I am looking into purchasing a mountain bike for the season, as well.


A Few Places On Our List:

• Crystal Lakes
• Boulder Lake
• Green Mountain Reservoir
• Taryall Reservoir
• Bison Peak
• McCullough Gulch
• Salida

We are also hoping to find a good spot down by Durango to do a short backpacking trip.

Although, we were very interested in going to Moab last year and doing some hiking and biking, we learned that dogs are not allowed - this means it is not for us! 

This is a travel blog of sorts.
Whether we are driving 5 miles to hike in 12 miles, or driving 100 miles to hike in 6 miles - this is a log of our journey. 

The above photo is us waking up in our tent looking over lower Crystal Lake behind Peak 10.