Well, we've been home a week now so figured it's time to put this our latest adventure to bed. In the last post we were in Colorado and that's where this post begins. In Colorado and most places in the northern half of the county, the U.S. Forest starts closing their campgrounds in September and by the middle of October you are pressed to find one still open. Outside of Woodland Park we managed to find just one still open if only for another week. Besides the camp host and us, there was just one other camper in the campground, so we had our choice of spots. That being said we had difficulty finding a site our rig would fit into.
After just two nights in Woodland Park we continued our journey west to Buena Vista in the middle of the Rocky Mountains. As we explored the area we found some great fall colors.
We also happened upon one of the area's natives.
We managed to get in a couple of nice hikes in the area, the first being to Lost Lake. Located at just shy of 12,000 feet, hike was made possible because we started walking at just shy of 12,000 feet. With no elevation gain to speak of, we managed just fine, but we did feel every bit of that 12,000 feet. Under clear but crisp skies we topped a rise in the terrain and came upon the small lake situated just below the Continental Divide in a beautiful setting. The lake has a small island and is surrounded by the lake's dark green color. Since we found the lake, it's no longer lost.
The water was just a tad too cold for swimming as ice was forming around the edges. In a matter of days or perhaps a week, the lake will be frozen over for the winter.
Our next hike was a little easie,r although still high at 11,000 feet, it followed an abandoned rail road, thus keeping the grade at a manageable angle. We've hiked this route before but it's beauty demanded a second look. All the rails have long since been removed, but some of the wooden ties are still there. The Railroad was in operation from the late 1800's into the early 1900's but abandoned when a tunnel under the Continental Divide collapsed.
On the way back to camp, we stopped and paid a visit to St. Elmo, a still partially occupied gold town.
The following day was opening day of hunting season putting an end to our hiking in Colorado so we headed southwest to Moab, Utah. Most followers of our blog know that Moab is one of our favorite places as it get mentioned here often. We lucked out and got a campsite at Goose Island, a BLM camp on the banks of the Colorado.
We managed to get in a couple of hikes, but we were dodging thunderstorms, which in these parts can be quite dangerous. We took a great hike to Neck Spring in Islands in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park. We lucked out as the rain started just as we were returning to the trailhead.
THE RAIN APPROACHES
Line at the bathroom so we opted for a bush, there was no waiting
As we were heading back to camp the skies opened up with a downpour that lasted about 45 minutes. Glad we weren't caught out in it. Something to see with the water cascading off the red cliffs.
I did manage to get one short bike ride in on the new bike path that goes from town and along the river.
Well, that does if for this adventure. There of course will be more. In our next adventure we will be walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain, so you can follow along on our Camino blog, Walking Our Camino.
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