Bierdstadt Trail, Pike National Park

June 17, 2012 -  Pike National Forest - Bierstadt Trail / Mountain

The first mile of the trail is fairly flat.  The Trail descends about 200 feet into a marsh area where you walk on a narrow "board walk" through the marsh.  The pond in the foreground marks the middle of the marshy area.  There is a small stream crossing and then it ascends slightly to the base of the mountain.  From their the next 2.6 miles are a gradually increasing slop to the top of the mountain. The first 1/2 mile is through willow bushes and after crossing the tree line it becomes more rocky and steeper. There are several clearing in the 1/2 mile to rest and have lunch. 

Guanella Pass Trailhead looking up at Bierdstadt Mountain.

A view from close to 12,000 ft up the mountain, just before the real climb up the mountain

We made it up to 12,177 ft. Top of the mountain is 14,060.

The yellow specs are gold in the little creek we had to cross. 

More information about Bierstadt Trail / Bierstadt Mountain

http://www.protrails.com/trails/view/185/summit_county_eagle_county_clear_creek_county/mt_bierstadt

June 2, 2012  - It was to be a rainy Saturday, but we decided to go out hiking anyway.  We went out to Elk Meadow to do an easy hike that was relatively close to Denver.  Elk Meadow ( 39.668548,-105.369201 )  is at the base of Bergen Peak in Evergreen CO.  After about a mile in we noticed that the weather was coming in over the mountain and started running back to the car.  We just made it before the rain really started to come down. 

After Elk Meadow we drove around in the area exploring different areas of the Evergreen, where we stumbled upon Elk and Turkeys.  As we made out way back to Denver we stopped off and explored the Valley area of Denver and did a little more hiking were we saw 3 deer (they were a lot closer than it looks, iPhone is not the best at capturing actual distance).

Turkey on the road near Evergreen, CO

Elk in a valley near a creek

Deer in the foreground, just starting our hike in the Valley

View from our hike in the Valley

View from our hike in the Valley

Map of the Valley were we did a little hiking

Garden of the gods

May 5, 2012 - Stephanie, Cooper and I went exploring the Garden of the gods.

Red rocks

April 29, 2012 - Stephanie, Cooper and I took trip over to check out Red Rocks Amphitheater. Here are some pics from our time/hike around the park.

View from the Visitor's Center

Walking up the Ramp...lookup up along the wall

Red Rocks Amphitheater - City of Denver in the background

From the Amphitheater Stage

View from the hike around Red Rocks Park

View from the theater ramp

Dead Tree with Red Rocks as the background

View from one of Red Rocks, found out later it was 999.99 fine for climbing on the rocks.

Ceran St. Vrain Trail - First Colorado Hike.

April 21, 2012 - Thanks to Jenny, we went on our first CO hike. Jenny took us to Ceran St. Vrain Trail (Easy - Moderate), where is near Left Hand Canyon.  Us beginners could only last about 1.5 miles (3 miles round trip) of the 3.85 mile trail.

Ceran St., Vrain Trail

Just a peak through the trees....

At the start of the hike - fresh looking faces.

Penny and Cooper just hanging out

Walk through the pine forest

Jenny, Jason - Penny and cooper

Jenny leading the way - very thankful that she took the Saturday to show us around.