Gluten Free Garden

I love Colorado.

I love that the climate is a sunny and dry high desert which makes outdoor play extremely enjoyable.  I love that the eastern range is a playground for adults.  I love that the people of Colorado are friendly, outgoing and active.  I love that Denver is a fun, culturally diverse city for people who love art, nature and especially the mountains.  I love that you can get up at 4am in Denver and summit a mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park by 8am.

I’m in Denver on business and I knew I wouldn’t be able to make a vacation trip to Estes Park (aka “Mecca”) this year.  It was just killing me to be so close to RMNP and not go hiking.  I decided to get up before dawn and drive to the park and go hiking.  My first appointment in Denver was at 1pm so I figured I could make it with plenty of time if I left the park by 9am.  It went a little something like this:

4:00 AM MST – alarm goes off at hotel in Denver.
4:15 AM MST – get in car and drive north

5:00 AM MST – pass Boulder, Colorado (take photo of impending sunrise)

5:55 AM MST – drive through Estes Park, Colorado and vacated entrance gate (no $20 park admission, woohoo!)

6:00 AM MST – start up the winding switchbacks of Old Fall River Road

6:30 AM MST – arrive at Chapin Pass Trailhead, start hiking

6:45 AM MST – sunrise over Chiquita

6:50 AM MST – pass the “red slope” (not red in July but thinking about it!)

7:00 AM MST – pass the “trails no longer maintained” sign

7:30 AM MST – arrive in the saddle between Chapin and Chiquita, start up the north face of Chapin

7:52 AM MST – summit Chapin.  Take photos with three girls from Ohio who are teaching at YMCA camp.

8:01 AM MST – start back down Chapin

8:58 AM MST – arrive at trailhead and drive up towards Trail Ridge Visitor’s Center

9:07 AM MST – break at visitors center, start down Trail Ridge Road towards Estes Park

9:13 AM MST – stopped for construction, TRR is now one lane for repaving
9:45 AM MST – finally pass construction, manage to drive behind SLOWEST DRIVER EVER.
10:30 AM MST – gas at grocery store in Estes Park (wish I could stay all day!)
12:01 PM MST – arrive at hotel
1:00-8:00 PM MST – visit with alumni all afternoon and evening
9:00 PM MST – EXHAUSTED but very happy.