Because It’s There and A Visit From A Bear

 

We have always had a desire to hike to high places just because they’re there, although many times we don’t have the nerve or the stamina to actually get there. Since we arrived at Steven’s Creek Campground we’ve had our eye on this funny looking hill across the road. It appeared to have a road or trail going up it, so we convinced Chuck, Carla and Debbie to take a little hike.

 

We were able to access it from the storage area at the RV park below it. What we didn’t realize is that the road doesn’t go all the way to the top, but that didn’t stop Jim from trying. He got up quite a bit farther than the rest of us but it was really steep and rocky.

Jim’s vantage point. Chuck’s pedometer said we walked 4 miles round trip, so even though we didn’t reach our goal it was a good workout.

Yesterday we went back to the Dillon Pinnacles trail with Chuck and Carla. When we hiked it the first time we saw an unmarked trail forking off of it. We saw two park rangers coming down it and asked them where it went and if you could get to the top of the pinnacles. They said it continued on for a long way and there was no actual trail to the top. They did say it was possible to get there just by working your way up the side of the mountain. Well, that was all it took, so Jim and I tried to find a way up while Chuck and Carla took the main trail to view the pinnacles.

Our goal was the highest point on the right.

We managed to get about halfway up, but Jim didn’t bring any hiking poles and I only had one, plus we didn’t want Chuck and Carla to have to wait on us, so we gave up.

We decided to give it another try today, brought our poles (I replaced the one I threw off the side of the mountain in Ouray), plenty of water and snacks, and worked our way to the top. It wasn’t easy, and I had a little anxiety wondering how we’d get down, but we succeeded. It took us three hours total, spending about 20 minutes at the top.

Not everyone gets to see the pinnacles from above.

You can barely make out the lower trail on the left by the water.

Then to cap off our day, we saw several people with cameras and binoculars walking behind our sites this evening. I heard someone say bear, so we went to check it out. Sure enough, a cute black bear cub was playing around the rocks not far from the road in front of the campground..

We watched him for a good while as he dug in the rocks, then looked both ways before successfully crossing to the other side of the road. Hope he reunites with the rest of his family.

Tomorrow our plan is for our little Lazy Daze caravan to move on to Crested Butte.

Crystal Creek Trail and They Made It

 

On Wednesday Jim, Debbie and I took another drive along scenic Hwy 92, which runs along the north rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Debbie bought new hiking boots and wanted to try them out, so we found a 5 mile round trip trail that didn’t sound too bad. It turned out to be one of the nicest trails we’ve done here, following a ridge to several overlooks of the canyon. There were lots of ups and downs, starting in desert-like areas and then passing through an oak, aspen and pine forest. The trail ended 1800’ above the Crystal Reservoir in the Black Canyon. And we had the trail to ourselves the entire time.

 

  

Jim nearly caused me to have a heart attack by taking pictures on the wrong side of the fence.

When we were in Ouray, Mark and Bobbie told us about a card you can buy from Colorado Search and Rescue, so the other day we finally purchased one for $3 each. For one year it insures that SAR will attempt to find and rescue you from the back country if necessary. Of course, that’s only if you can get a cell signal to call for help, but we figured with all the hiking we’re doing in some pretty rough places, it would be something worth having. I’m happy to report we haven’t needed to make use of it so far.

About 4 that afternoon, our Lazy Daze friends made it to Steven’s Creek. We hadn’t seen Chuck and Carla for about a year and a half, and we had a fun evening catching up.

Yesterday we all went on an easy 3.5 mile hike at Hartman Rocks, since they are still trying to adjust to the altitude having come from Iowa. From left, Jim, me, Debbie, Carla and Chuck. Quite a motley crew.

We capped off the day with dinner at the Gunnison Brewery. (Be sure to try their Sticky Fries!)

Besides all the interesting places we’ve visited, one of the best aspects of full-timing has been meeting and reuniting with friends along the way. It’s a good life.

Hartman Rocks, Gunnison, CO

 

Hartman Rocks Recreation Area, covering 8,000 acres of BLM land just a few miles south of Gunnison, is a great place to take a hike, ride a mountain bike, motorcycle, ATV  or Jeep. Camping is allowed on the upper levels, but unfortunately you need a high clearance vehicle to get there. After the climb up a rutted, rocky road, we found some fairly level spots with excellent views which would have been perfect if you have a tent or truck camper. This is where we could use that Unimog Jim keeps lusting after.

A nice spot to camp.

We walked on a few of the many miles of dirt roads and trails and climbed around on some rocks.

Looking towards Gunnison.

We’ve really been enjoying this part of Colorado. Yesterday we took a drive to Crested Butte to look at some places to boondock. It is lovely there.

Perhaps our next campsite?

We are planning to hang out here until Monday. Our Iowa friends Chuck and Carla were delayed but should be arriving this afternoon, so we are looking forward to spending some time with them. They also love to hike, so you know what we’ll be doing!

Morrow Point Boat Tour, Curecanti NRA

 

Our 1.5 hour boat tour through a portion of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison began at the Pine Creek trail head, which meant a walk down 232 steps followed by a flat 3/4 mile hike along the Morrow Point Reservoir.

The trail follows the old Denver and Rio Grande narrow gauge railroad bed, but most of it is now under the water of the reservoir.  It’s a very scenic walk, and worth taking even if you don’t ride the boat.

Ranger Tim gave an informative presentation about the history of the Gunnison River, the railroad (quite a challenge to build judging by the rock walls of the canyon), and the controversy over building the dams along the river.

We even got to pass by Curecanti Creek, where we had hiked the day before. You can barely see someone in a blue shirt on the right bank, where the trail ended. It was much easier getting there by boat.

 

Chipeta Falls (160’), which would be more impressive had it not been such a dry year.

The Cureanti Needle, which was used on the logo for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. We also saw this the other day from the end of the Curecanti Creek trail.

In our travels we tend to avoid many of the touristy attractions, but this boat tour was well worth the time and money ($16 or $8 for old man Jim), especially if you enjoy looking at rocks as much as we do. Our necks got stiff from looking up so much. And I counted on the way back up the trail. There are 232 steps!

Curecanti Creek Trail, Black Canyon of the Gunnison

 

 

We took a drive along Colorado’s Scenic 92, which skirts the north rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. There are many scenic overlooks and several hiking trails. This area is part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area, not the actual Black Canyon National Park.

The majority of our Colorado hikes so far have involved climbing up from the start of a trail. For something different, we hiked down into the canyon for 2 miles on the Curecanti Creek trail, which of course meant a 2 mile climb out. We would rather get the climb out of the way first, but it was a nice, although strenuous, change of pace. Ask Debbie if she’s coming on  any more hikes with us!

The overlook at the trail head.

We’re going down there?

It’s actually a pretty gradual descent until about the last half mile, when the trail turns into large rocks and becomes very steep. After following the creek, the trail ends where the creek enters the Morrow Point Reservoir. There is a backpack or boat in campsite with a picnic table, fire ring, and an outhouse. It was a lovely spot.

With a nice swimming hole, too.

Today we’re taking a boat tour of the canyon. Should be fun to see it from the water.

Dillon Pinnacles Trail and Internet Woes

 

This 4 mile round trip trail ascended to take us along an interesting geological formation, the Dillon Pinnacles, an area of huge rock spires.

With outstanding views of Blue Mesa Reservoir, big rocks, and a fairly easy climb up, it was an enjoyable hike.

 

We haven’t had much luck with wildlife lately, but on the way home there was a not-so-bighorn sheep eating grass just off the highway. It was wearing a tracking collar, and was unfazed by the cars and trucks zipping by. We really prefer to see wildlife a bit farther off the beaten path.

 

When we first arrived here at Curecanti, we seemed to have a fairly good internet connection with our booster. A few days ago we were having trouble just loading or trying to send an email. At first we thought it was just fluctuations in the signal, since our phone barely has one bar and keeps switching from Verizon to Extended Network, but Debbie wasn’t having as much trouble as we were. After a couple of frustrating days and barely using the computer, we got to thinking there must be a problem with our equipment.

Yesterday we took a drive northeast of Gunnison to look at several forest service campgrounds, since Jim was looking for a place with a better signal. As we were discussing it, he realized he hadn’t thought about checking our Wilson antenna. He got up on the roof when we got back and found that the wire had been cut, due to the way he had it secured. He attempted but wasn’t able to get it spliced back together properly. After many phone calls but no luck finding one at the few electronics stores and Radio Shacks in Gunnison, Crested Butte, and Montrose, he called Wilson and they will be shipping out a new antenna Monday at no charge. Talk about great customer service, since it is 4 years old and Jim told the guy it had gotten damaged. Debbie had a similar experience with receiving a new antenna at no cost a few months ago when hers came off the roof and broke. Nice to know there are still companies out there that give such good service.

Debbie has been kind enough to let us steal her signal until our new antenna arrives, so we are back on line. One more problem solved, time for another hike.

Curecanti National Recreation Area, CO

 

 

Yesterday we ended up at Elk Creek Campground in the Curecanti National Recreation Area between Montrose and Gunnison. This is quite a change in scenery from Ouray, but we do like the wide open spaces.

We didn’t care for any of the non-reserved sites so picked a couple reserved ones that were open for a few nights. We decided to just pay for one night ($6 with the senior pass and no hookups, but there is a dump and water), then last evening after our daily thunderstorm, went for a drive to look at several other campgrounds.

This morning we moved 4 miles east towards Gunnison to Steven’s Creek, where we are even closer to the shore of Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado’s largest body of water. It’s a fine spot to hang out for awhile as we await our Iowa friends Chuck and Carla, who should be here this weekend.

Today we went into Gunnison, a 10 mile drive, to pick up the cat’s medicine at the post office. On the way was a short hiking trail along the Gunnison River, so we stopped and took a little walk. A bit different from the mountain hiking we did in Ouray, but it was shady, cool, and pleasant. Tomorrow we’ll get back to some real hiking, as there are plenty of trails nearby.

Scenes from the Neversink Trail.

Looking forward to more sunsets over the lake like we had last night.

This reminds us of New Mexico.