August 11, 2011 by sgeddis

Colorado Wildflowers

Our vacation was full of the most beautiful wildflowers.

August 5, 2011 by sgeddis

Shambhala Mountain Retreat

Friday July 29, 2011

Dad and I headed off to see the Shambhala Mountain Center.

Shambhala Mountain Center is a mountain valley retreat located on 600 acres in northern Colorado. Since 1971 the Center has offered hundreds of programs on Buddhist meditation, yoga and other contemplative disciplines. Tamed by over thirty years of use as a contemplative retreat, Shambhala Mountain Center is a place where one of the basic truths of Buddhism—that people can be profoundly open to the wisdom of the present moment—is always readily available. http://shambhalamountain.org

The road to Shambhala

The entrance to the Shambhala Mountain Center

He wanted to visit the The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya.

Rising among wooded hillsides, The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya crowns a meadow at the upper end of the main valley of the Shambhala Mountain Center. Construction of The Great Stupa was initiated in 1988 and the monument was consecrated in August 2001.

The Shambhala Mountain Center was designed to bring the energy of the Stupa into the lives of the people who come to visit. Like the great centers of learning and practice of the past, the plan for this mountain retreat facility was laid out according to the tradition of living in accordance with the energetic forces of the natural environment.

The Stupa is sited between two powerful landforms—the promontory, known as Marpa Point, and the steep cliffs opposite it. The power of the Stupa balances and brings together the energies of these surrounding landforms; at the same time, it embodies the wisdom and blessings of the Vidyadhara and of the Buddhist and Shambhala lineages.

The Stupa has become the heart of the Shambhala Mountain Center. Stupas are said to promote harmony, prosperity, longevity, good health, peace, and freedom from ignorance. They subdue fear, corruption, and pollution, and bring blessings to the environment in which they are built, to those who build them, and to those who visit and venerate them. In this way, they ensure that the living quality of the Buddhist teachings will always be available.

It has long been the tradition that wherever the teachings of the Buddhas have been revered and practiced, communities of followers have built reliquary monuments known in Sanskrit as stupas and as chörtens in Tibetan. And wherever they have been built, they have been regarded as sacred, for like religious /img and scriptures, they represent aspects of enlightenment.
—His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama http://www.shambhalamountain.org/stupa.html

The bad news was they did not let dogs on the grounds. I wish I could have gone with him to see the Stupa but had to wait in the car.

No Dogs!

Path to The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya

The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya

August 1, 2011 by sgeddis

Panhandle Creek Trail

Wednesday July 20, 2011

The Panhandle Creek Trail is close to our house in Crystal Lakes. It is not on any trail maps we could find but was recommended by Steve at Lone Pine Realty. We did not have any idea how long or hard it was but was very presently surprised. We were on a rest day (not sure what Mom and Dad mean by rest day we still hike and I still run and swim until my legs are tired all over again) and had a very nice 4 mile out and back hike along Panhandle Creek.

Panhandle Trailhead

Panhandle Creek

Lots of wildflowers on this trail

A 'shroom

Columbine

A good stretch

July 31, 2011 by sgeddis

Car Trip To Wyoming

Tuesday July 19, 2011

Dad had been talking about driving to a place called Cheyenne, Wyoming to see a motel he stayed in with his family almost 50 years ago. Where do these roads to childhood memories come from? I live for today and can’t really remember much about yesterday let alone 50 years ago. But, off we went. We traveled by dirt road first to Laramie, Wyoming and then to Cheyenne. The drive was really spectacular and the towns in Wyoming interesting.

We took Deadman Rd west from the house but found closed at the junction with Pearl Beaver Road, so we changed our planned route and headed north on Pearl Beaver Road.

A lot of the Colorado forests are being invaded and destroyed by large numbers of Mountain Pine Beetles.

Mountain Pine Beetle or Bark Beetle Damage to the Forest. From DenverPost.com

We passed through an area where the damaged trees are being cleaned up.

At the junction with Colorado Rt 80 we crossed Sheep Creek and Mom and Dad let me take a dip.

Sheep Creek

As we headed west on 80C we crossed many beautiful prairies.

Road 80C

Prairie along 80C

It it ranch area with cows and horsed everywhere.

Wildflowers

Blue Wildflower

Sand Creek Area

In the Sand Creek area we found this sign selling the rock in the background.

40 Acres for $40,000. I bet it gets cold in the winter!

We saw a heard of Antelope.

Antelope heard running across the Praire

We stopped in Curt Gowdy State Park and took a short walk on a snowshoe trail. Met some great people who liked to give me pets. She was a teacher in the South somewhere and he was faculty at Laramie Community College. They live apart until she can get a job in Laramie

When we got to Cheyenne we finally saw the infamous Hitching Post Inn. It looked like a war zone.
Dad went in and asked what happened. I guess there was an arson fire in September of 2010.

A member of Cheyenne Fire and Rescue carries a house to a fire engine as flames burst through the roof of the Hitching Post Inn September 15, 2010 Wyomingnews.com

Hitching Post after fire

Hitching Post Today

Dad got his picture of the sign. Ahh, Childhood memories

July 31, 2011 by sgeddis

Blue Lake Trail

Monday July 18, 2011

We headed out to the upper Podure Canyon to find the Blue Lake Trail. Beginning elevation was 9400 feet and we turned at about 10,500 feet. Our total hike was our longest, 8 miles out and back.

The trail description from the Poudre Wilderness Volunteers:
The first 2 miles of the trail follows an old logging road and is in multi-use National Forest. Within the first 0.25 mile you will cross over Joe Wright Creek. About 1.5 miles from the trailhead there is a small rise to the east with a nice overlook that offers glimpses of Chambers Lake. You will enter the Rawah Wilderness shortly after crossing a footbridge over Fall Creek. After another 2 miles, you reach a meadow and a log bridge crossing the north branch of Fall Creek.

Trail elevation from http://www.poudrewildernessvolunteers.org/

Trailhead

Off we go!

We were hiking in the Rawah Wilderness

A 2 miles we crossed the foot bridge at Fall Creek

Fall Creek

Dad took a sit at Fall Creek

Mom is eating a power bar honest!

And off we went.

There was snow along the way.

About 4 miles in we crossed a beautiful meadow where we stopped and took a breath

The meadow was a good spot to get a picture of Mom and Dad

At 5 miles we reached a little log bridge and so much snow on the other side we could not find the trail. We were pretty tired anyway and had 5 miles to go back.

Did I tell you I like the water?

I know I was tired. I took a rest while Mom and Dad had a bite of lunch.

Avalanche Lilly

A short rest on the return at Fall Creek

Fall Creek

All done, 10 miles!!!

After the hike we drove to Cameron Pass (10,249 ft) a bit further west on Highway 14. Some beautiful scenery but no moose to be seen.

Mt Richthofen 12,940 ft

July 30, 2011 by sgeddis

Ft. Collins Jazz Fest

Saturday July 16, 2011

We drove to Ft. Collins to get groceries and visit the Jazz Festival. The day began with a visit to the two JAX Mercantile stores. Both allow dogs, yeah!! AND all the staff that work there have dog treats and love to give them out with pets. One lady even gave me belly rubs, Jax is my new favorite store.

After Jax we headed to Camp Bow Wow so I could get a bath. I guess all the hiking and creek swimming left me a bit stinky. A bath felt really good. Next was lunch outside at Qudoba’s and then to downtown to walk around and listen to Jazz. Mom mentioned getting yogurt and Dad looked up a place he said was a short walk through the campus of Colorado State University. The walk turned out to be 2 miles there and 2 miles back, we all had tired legs from hiking the day before.

Colorado State University. A beautiful campus

I hope the yogurt was worth walking 4 miles

The Colorado Swing Big Band

People were dancing to the swing band. I was napping after the trek to yogurt.

July 30, 2011 by sgeddis

Lost Lake and Creedmore Lake

July 7, 8 and 15, 2011

You can find Lost Lake and the Creedmore Lakes just north of the Red Feather Lakes community. We visited several time. The first time Dad and I drove to the entrance to Lost Lake and walked the mile down the road to the lake. It began raining and then the hail began. It sounds bad but it was fun running in the rain, the hail hurt a little though.

Lost Lake

Lost Lake Sign

It was raining pretty hard.

I got to swim in the pond while it was raining.

and then the hail began

We went back with Mom the next day and the weather was much better. This time I got to swim in the lake.

There are several ponds along the walk.

Here is Lost Lake.

I was headed to the canoe

Just too far. I headed back.

We then headed to Creedmore Lake and scoped it out. A few days later we went back to Creedmore and hiked to one of the smaller Creedmore lakes and to the North Fork of the La Poudre river.

What a beautiful lake!

It took us some time to find it but we finally found the 2nd Creedmore Lake

And of course I took a dip. Did I tell you how much I like water?

North Fork of the Poudre River

And a river dip for me!

Mom taking a sit at the North Poudre River

We returned to Creedmore with Alex to fish a few days later. The pics are in the Fishing Blog post.

July 30, 2011 by sgeddis

Big South Trail

Wednesday July 13, 2011

This hike was really something. Dad says it was his favorite. The trail winds its way up the east side of the Cache La Poudre River. What made this really exciting was the river. I understand that this year in Colorado there was a lot more snow than normal and then the heat began suddenly increasing the run off in the rivers like the Poudre to record levels. As we walked along the river I could not hear Dad or Mom unless they yelled over the roar of the river. They seemed worried that I might go in too far and get swept to Ft. Collins but I am a dog I am not stupid, I was very careful.

Big South Trail Elevation

The trail is maintained by the Poudre Valley Health Care System

Trail Description from http://www.poudrewildernessvolunteers.org
This trail starts in multi-use National Forest, but after only 0.5 mile, you enter the Comanche Peak Wilderness and the Big South Travel Zone.

We entered the Wilderness

The trail winds its way up the east side of the Cache La Poudre River for about 6.5 miles, where it is intersected by the Flowers Trail coming down from the east. See the description for the upper portion of this trail under the Corral Creek and Upper Big South Trails description.

There are 16 designated campsites situated along the trail in the Big South Travel Zone. The first five campsites are located on the slope above the trail, starting about 0.75 mile in.

Campsite 1

Mom really like Campsite 4.

Site #6 is located just before crossing the bridge over May Creek about 2 miles from the trailhead. Site #7 is located uphill shortly after crossing May Creek. Campsite #8 is located about 0.75 mile further uphill and to your left.

We went past campsite 7 trying to find campsite 8. Found out later that the sign for 8 is missing.

We hiked to campsite 8 before turning around.

The Poudre River was really running. At times mom and dad had to yell at me for me to hear them over the river noise.

There were great wildflowers along the trail

You know if we were near the river I needed to swim. Mom and Dad were worried I would go in to far and get swept to Ft. Collins. I am a dog not stupid. I was really careful.

Mom and Dad!

What a river!

The trail crosses a big rock slide area. I started and slipped a bit.

So Mom put me on a leash so i would not fall.

Swimming again!

Dad

We took a little break when we crossed creek bridge.

We took a break when we turned around. A deer came walking buy.

Another great hike.

We hiked Big South again on Thursday the 28th with Alex.

Alex in the lead

Mom and Alex hiking together

A Mom and her Son

Just had to get into the water.

The Poudre was not as high as the last time but still a powerful river.

There were different wildflowers this time.

I really like the Big South Hikes!!

July 29, 2011 by sgeddis

Kreutzer Nature & Mt. McConnel Trail

July 11, 2011

We headed to the Lower Poudre Canyon to the Kreutzer and Mt McConnel trails. It is a combination of two trails. The Kreutzer Nature trail is a loop and the trail to the summit of Mt McConnel can be done as an out and back or look to the summit off the nature trail.

Nature and McConnel Trail head sign

Trail Description by http://www.poudrewildernessvolunteers.org
This trail system was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1936 during the Depression and was named after William Kreutzer, who was the first official forest ranger in the U.S., in the 1890s. Mt. McConnel was named after R.C. McConnel, one of the first rangers in the Poudre District, who served here in the early 1900s. The Kreutzer Nature Trail has at least 23 interpretative signs along its length that provide information about local geology, ecology, plants, and animals.

Mt McConnel Elevation

The trail makes several switchbacks, then turns and climbs gradually westward paralleling the campground. After 0.4 mile, it will makes a sharp left (east) turn and climbs another 0.4 mile to the high point of the Kreutzer Nature Trail, where the west end of the Mt. McConnel Trail starts. To continue your patrol of the Mt. McConnel Trail follow the Mt. McConnel Trail uphill. Look for several cleverly constructed rock benches and seats that offer respite and great views. These were built right into the mountain slopes supposedly by the CCC. There is a great view to the north from the trail where it switches back just below an impressive rock escarpment and extensive talus slope about 1.4 mile from the trailhead. From this point, the trail continues climbing steeply and passes several more rock benches and seats built by the CCC. About 0.75 miles above the junction with the Kreutzer Nature Trail, the Mt. McConnel Trail enters the Cache la Poudre Wilderness (1.6 miles from the trailhead). (This is the only official trail in this Wilderness.) After another 0.25 mile, look carefully to the west, along the right side of the trail, for the unmarked 0.14 mile-long spur trail to the summit (approx. 1.9 miles from the trailhead). From the summit there is a great view to the southwest of the canyon carved by the South Fork of the Cache La Poudre River and beyond it, on the horizon, you can see the Mummy Range. To the west you can see a stretch of the Pingree Park Road.

View of the Poudre River

We entered the only Trail in the Cache la Poudre Wilderness

The nature trail on the way up

Now those are some legs!

Where the Mt McConnel trail leaves the Nature trail

Mt McConnel summit

View of the Rocky Mountain National Park

Mom and Dad on the summit of McConnel

I took a rest on the summit

Mt McConnel Summit. That was the Rocky Mountain National Park we could see.

Mom takes one more look at Rocky Mountain National Park

Mt. McConnel primitive trail by http://www.poudrewildernessvolunteers.org

If you are feeling ambitious at the summit, and are a strong hiker, you can take the spur trail back to the main Mt. McConnel Trail and turn right, to the southeast. The east arm of the Mt. McConnel Trail is steep, primitive, and not often used. You will eventually rejoin the Kreutzer Nature Trail. At this point you can go either of two routes back to Mountain Park Campground. You can follow the Kreutzer Nature Trail uphill and to the west until you reach its junction with the west arm of the Mt. McConnel trail and then follow it (Kreutzer Nature Trail) downhill, retracing your path down to the trailhead. Alternately, you can follow the Kreutzer Nature Trail downhill and to the north and northwest as it contours around the northeast flank of Mt. McConnel and gently descends toward the Poudre River. This route will take you to the eastern terminus of the Kreutzer Nature Trail near the bridge across the Poudre.

We decided to return from the summit by way of the primitive trail.

The Talus Slope we crossed

View from the primitive trail on the way down

July 29, 2011 by sgeddis

Killpecker Trail

Thursday July 7, 2011

This day brought us to the Killpecker Trail. What a name! We only drove a few minutes up Deadman Road, just past the Lone Pine trailhead. A beautiful hike along Killpecker Trail

The Poudre Wilderness Volunteers website describes the portion of the trail we hiked:
The first part of the trail heads steadily uphill through a mature, mixed lodgepole pine – Douglas fir forest along Killpecker Creek. There are two stream crossings in the first 1.5 miles. After 1.5 miles the trail passes through a logged-over area shortly before intersecting Killpecker Road (FDR-300). The trail can be picked up again down road and about 100 yards east of the stream. After a short but steady climb for about 0.3 mile, the trail will take you to a spring that provides the last source of water along the trail.