Trip to the Tetons

While we were visiting with Andy, Tara, Hailey & Emily in Lander, Wyoming we decided to take a day trip to the Tetons on Monday while they were all either at work or school. We had not been to the Tetons or Yellowstone for some time and wanted to search out some of the large animals that populate these parks. Specifically we were looking for bison, elk and moose.
We drove the 21/2 hrs from Lander and arrived at Oxbow Bend just inside the park at about 7:15AM. Unfortunately we were about 15 minutes late for the sunrise but the scene was still breathtaking. Peter got out to take some pictures. As it was a very nippy 32 degrees, I decided to stay in the warm car and just take in the beauty.

From there we traveled south to the new visitors center and then headed back north to Yellowstone. We rode in search of lunch at one of the restaurants, but when we arrived at the Grant Village General Store and Restaurant we discovered a sign on the door saying it was closing on Sept. 20th (the day of our trip) and there was no food available.

We headed south again, still looking for moose & elk. We did not find any on our travels and decided to have lunch at Dornan's in Moose, Wy. We had our burgers outside on the picnic tables (by this time it had warmed up considerably) facing the Grand. We recalled fondly the time that we (Doug, Heidi, Peter & myself) made our journey up to the Grand. We figure it was the late 90's. Peter has a hankering to do that again.

We left the park and headed East over Togwotee Pass to Lander. If there had not been construction on the road it would have been an easier ride. As it was, it was dusty and slow. We arrived home to Andy's in time for pizza and story time with the girls.

Here are a couple of pictures from our Teton Day Trip.

The Grand.


Lupine Meadows near Taggert Lake.

Emily's Climbing Adventure

On Sunday, Sept. 20th, the Skiba family took a walk to City Park in Lander, Wy.
The girls wanted to play on the playground for awhile.
With the normal playground equipment of slides and swings there is a climbing wall that the girls gravitated to.
Both Emily & Hailey tried climbing the wall. A good adventure for both.
.
Emily on the wall.


Hailey trying to climb the wall.

Both girls did well with a bit of encouragement of dad and grandpa.

Colorado River

After Peter's long hike to Mount Ida, he was gracious enough to
go on a shorter walk with me. We went to the Hozworth Historic area in Rocky
Mountain National Park.
Trail goes along the Colorado River that Peter is standing by.

Beautiful day!

Hike to Mount Ida

Yesterday brought us back to RMNP for an early start on a hike that Peter wanted to do to Mount Ida. Road construction in the park slowed us down a bit on the way up, but he eventually started at 7:30AM on the trail to Mt. Ida (12,880) and returned to the car by 2PM.
I stayed and waited for him during his hike. Construction workers and trucks all around me.
Quite nosy and smelly at times. But gave me a chance to finish my book and do a bit of knitting.

Peter says that it was cold and very windy on top and I believe him because I was experiencing the same at my elevation.
The trail that he took was along the Continental Divide.

Peter was also able to see the smoke from the recent fires in Boulder and Loveland early on during the hike. These became less noticeable as the day progressed.

After Peter finished his hike, we waited in line with all of the other cars for the road paving equipment to let us proceed down Trail Ridge Road. As I had been waiting all day, I felt I need to have some kind of easy walk/hike. We first stopped at the Colorado River Trail but decided to go on to the Holzwarth Historic Site. This is in the Never Summer Mountain Range. Buildings on the site date back to the early 1900's. It was known as the Never Summer Ranch where tourists from the Denver area spent time relaxing.

Poudre Lake

On Tuesday, Peter & I were in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Peter's plans were to hike up to Mt. Ida on the following day.
The Poudre Lake shown in this picture is at the bottom/beginning of the trail.

Four Bikers that we met on the road to Mount Epworth

These are the 4 bikers hamming it up for the camera.
Picture taken with Mount Epworth in the background.

Bartek Wolczyk, Ruben Karel, Brett Marraccini, Summer Ruckman.

Great meeting all you! Enjoy your biking

Hike to Mount Epworth

On Sat. Sept. 11th, Peter hiked to the top of Mount Epworth. (11,843ft)
This was after an hour's drive up to Rollins Pass (near Winter Park, Co).
The road was extremely rutted. We bounced around driving to avoid the
holes in the road. Slow going. Some scratches on the side of the car.
We had to go on a CR as Hwy 40 was closed at the pass due to a pipe line being laid.
Made for an interesting, dusty and bumpy ride.

On the way we passed the old Moffat Railroad that was used in the mountains to
transport goods and materials.

When we arrived at Mount Epworth, we decided to hike on the trail.
Me on the safe side......and short side....
Peter opted to climb up to the top of the Mount.
He made it to the top despite the strong winds and signed in on the log.
Last climber was in Aug. 2010.
We kept in touch via 2 walkie-talkies. I feel better keeping in touch.
Let's me climb along while tucked away in a pocket!
Mount Epworth on the right.

Peter before the hike.

Winter Park

Left Fort Collins again on Friday, Sept. 10th after doing mundane chores around the house.
We headed for Winter Park late in the afternoon and chose to drive through Rocky Mountain National Park to our destination. Not wise as it was late and dark by the time we arrived.

Checked into Indian Peaks resort for another week's vacation.

Return to Fort Collins

We left Steamboat Springs this morning and returned home to Fort Collins.
Passed Rabbit Ears Pass on the way. Stopped at the State Forest State Park.
Area is known for their moose, but unfortunately they did not show themselves for us!

Arrived home, washed the filthy van and drove to Golden to have dinner with Doug and Heidi and deliver a chair. Home late.

Return to Flat Tops Wilderness

Saw many more sheep grazing today in the area. Rainy and sunny today.

Peter did a quick hike to the Little Causeway Lake. Started to rain and hail on the way.
Renee stayed by the car until the rain came and took pictures of the the horses and landscape.

Peter reported that it was very wet. Covered his backpack, but boots and pants were soaked. Met 6 hikers from Madison, WI and gave them refuge while their keys were found

Flat Tops Wilderness Area

Drove south from Steamboat Springs this AM.
Destination - Flat Tops Wilderness.
We rediscovered Cold Springs Campground. Took photos here last year that were sold for the Columbia/St. Mary's Hospital project in Milwaukee.

Along the way we came across sheep grazing near Stillwater Reservoir.

Did a short hike to Smith Lake and took pictur4es of the Devil's Causeway.
Sheep were all around us.
Great!

Shopping in Steamboat Springs

Stayed in town today and did some shopping for Hailey's birthday on Sept. 17th.
Her wish.....anything related to horses!
After walking all over town and not finding what we wanted, we ended up at an landmark store in town --- FM Light. This was the right store! Had just what we were looking for.

After shopping we drove north of town to watch dog trials for border collies and other dogs who herd sheep. Interesting.

Fish Creek Falls

On Sunday, Sept. 5th we drove a short distance out of town to Fish Creek Falls. We had been to this same trail in 2009.
Renée walked up the paved route to the Falls and then back to the car to read and watch other hikers in the parking lot. It was a busy day there as the weather was beautiful and it was Labor Day weekend. Parking spots were at a premium!

Peter to the longer trail with the intention of getting to Long Lake. He tried this a year ago but only got as far as the upper falls. A local along the way suggested using the "Hike the Boat" for good places to hike and explore.
Peter followed the trail about 6+ miles to Long Lake Reservoir, a water source for the town of Steamboat Springs. He traveled through a marshy area and got his boots full of mud. Met mountain bikers along the way riding down the path either from Dumont Lake or from Buffalo Pass. Long hike, but happy he made it.

Hahn's Peak

Drove from Steamboat Springs this morning North to the State Park near Hahn's Peak. Drove up the forest road to get to the trail head.

Renée started out on the trail, but determined that the elevation gain was a bit much and chose to stay at the trail head and let Peter go on up the trail.

Peter met a retired forest service fire fighter on the summit who knew the area well.
He was able to see Steamboat Lakes in the south from the top as well as Mount Zirkel to the north. Nipple Peak was also visible to the west.

Enjoyable weather and enjoyable day.

Morning Walk

Up for our early morning walk as usual. Awoke to thermometer registering 49 degrees. Seems a bit cool for the 2nd of Sept., but as this is our first Sept. as residents of Colorado, I guess we will learn soon enough what is normal and what is not.

Put on our jackets, Peter tied on his weights, and I grabbed the cold water bottle. Heading north on our usual route, the wind was fierce. We estimated it was about 30+ mph with gusts up to 40+. May be exaggerating a tad, but I think not. It was hard heading up hill and into the wind. But we completed our lap and returned home with thoughts of hot chocolate and maybe hot cereal for breakfast. But alas I was too tired to make the hot cereal, so I opted for a comfortable chair and my cup of hot chocolate.

Is this the start of fall already?

By mid afternoon, the temps have reached 70 and it is quite pleasant. That's how Colorado is....big swings in the temperatures. Usually quite cool for sleeping.