Go West: The Crags: May 30th, 2013

One more Colorado Hike to write about, and then it's back to Minnesota.  Our last big Colorado Hike was to The Crags.

Joe and I both wanted to do a quintessential Hike In The Mountains, so I did a bit of research on where we would find the perfect trail.  Something off the beaten path, but not totally isolated.  Something about 3-5 miles long.  Something that was low-to-mid level strenuous.  I came across a description for the Crags, located not that far from Garden of the Gods.  4.2 miles, "easy to moderate" hike, trail is well marked, awesome!  Off we went.

The road out there was easy to find, but the last couple of miles were a bit dicey.  We passed right through a Mennonite summer camp on the last, rocky unpaved road to the trailhead.  The sun was warm, but the air was definitely cool.  We were up at about 9,100 feet to start, and kept going up for a while.  I was glad to have my parka along!

Ripple in still water

We weren't the only people out there that day. We crossed paths with about a dozen people (and a few dogs) during our hike.  But everyone seemed really happy to be outside in the fresh air, enjoying the scenery.    And it really was scenic: mountain river gurgling along, snow in hidden crevasses, rock formations, craggy cliffs, and Pike's Peak and other Rockies towering in the distance.

Yup, that's me

 We hiked along ridges and through a flat meadow, next to little Four Mile Creek.  Joe found a tiny waterfall, and of course we had to get a picture of him looking at the waterfall.

"I shall call you Joe's Waterfall...maybe not"

Man, it was impressive.  Beautiful.  They should have sent a poet!  I found it particularly rejuvenating after the long, cold, rainy spring we've experienced in Minnesota.  A blue sky and a warm sun are two things of which I have not seen this year.  And the pines!  The pine trees!  The smell of hot pines permeated the air.  I wish I could put it in a bottle and bring it back with me.

I left my heart (shaped rock) in Colorado

We did so much in Colorado that it's hard to pick a favorite thing.  But if I were forced to pick, I'd go with the hike out at the Crags.  There's a reason why Ye Old Physicians would send their patients out to the Rockies to get some good mountain air: it refreshes the soul.

I love to go a-wandering along the mountain track
And where I go, I always sing, my knapsack on my back.

Total miles hiked today: 4.2 (at the Crags)
Total miles hiked in 2013: 29
Total Superior Hiking Trail miles hiked in 2013: 6.8
Total ticks today: 0
Total ticks in 2013: 4