Almont, CO Weather from Weather Underground

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Black Canyon of the Gunnison - North Rim

Today we decide to go back to Black Canyon of the Gunnison and visit the North Rim.  We drive back through Blue Mesa Reservoir and pas the Dillon Pinnacles which we will hike up to sometime.
 I'm sure the view from up there is spectacular

as the view from down here is pretty good. 

We will borrow the Stand Up paddle boards some day and camp down here as well. 

The water is very calm in the morning but the wind picks up in the afternoon.  We are told to travel west in the morning and ride the winds back in the afternoon. 


We get to the Curecanti Dam 

This is where we cross over 

From the first overlook you can see some of the stairs (236) down to the river where you catch the Morrow Point boat tour

From the next overlook we can see the dock where you catch the boat 

The river runs forever. 



From Pioneer Point you can see an inlet below there are some people with a dog.  The 4 mile Curecanti Creek trail goes down the over 5,000 feet.  We will definitely do this one sometime. 

Even when the river is out of sight the views are spectacular. 

We arrive at the Canyon

and get a view of the Painted Wall from the other side. 

It's a long way down there Daddy! 
 Balanced Rock

and the Big Island

It's just beautiful.

On the drive home we stop in Paonia to try and find some ice-cream.  We find a combination Art Gallery and Ice Cream.  We were told to check out the bathroom  -  a work of art!

Elephants dance outside

Turns out this is a big Coal Mining area

We connect to Kebler Pass

where there is the largest stand of Aspen in Colorado.


And there's one of those Marmots we were supposed to be watching out for

Till Later!

Meanwhile, we keep on Trek'n

Melissa, Gary & Tucson

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Paradise! 3 Hikes a Day

We finished up the Oh Be Joyful Trail early and decided to follow the signs to Paradise Divide


At one point it was uncertain which road was ours so of course Gary goes for the more interesting of the two across water. 

It ended up being a dead end so we turn around and follow the other road up. 

and up

We run into snow and can't reach Schofield Pass 

Not sure if this is Emerald Lake or if that is further up towards the pass. 



either way it's beautiful,

We ran into a few narrow spots on the road.

Here's a view of part of the road we took up. 

Heading back it seems we should be aware of Marmots. 

We continue on to check out Lost Lakes.  Gary is tired and waits in the car while Tucson and I take a short hike.

We meet a chipmunk along the way

The Lost Lake is found 


Time to head home via the Ohio Pass

One last stop to do the Beaver Pond Trail that we missed last time through.

The trail goes through a large stand of Aspen and pine.

Aspen stand alone - Birch stand in Bunches.

Guess we know how Beaver Pond got its' name

On the way home we pass by this great ranch


I could definitely live here!
A long but enjoyable day!

 Till Later!

Meanwhile, we keep on Trek'n

Melissa, Gary & Tucson