Mountain Secrets Blog

The thunder cracked, the rain began to increase and we found ourselves pitching our tent on an awkward hillside trying to take shelter. 

In the middle of the night we heard what sounded like a pack of wild hyenas coming up from the valley below in search of a late night snack. Coyotes.

We were in a happy place. Good vibes just seemed to wrap around us. We hiked, we talked and we shared our stories. It was a day of recognizing all the good that exists. 

Remember, smiles are contagious! 

The day had been great, travel had been great, breakfast had been great. We were hiking with a new and encouraged mindset, each day just seemed to bring new and wonderful surprises.

We were nearly at the halfway point of the Colorado Trail and were beginning to realize that someone was watching over us.

We had found ourselves in a valley surrounded by mountains, lush with pines and aspens, cool running streams and a beaver pond the size of Texas. It was obvious that here, in this place, man was just a visitor.

We were a sight. With our backpacks leaned up against a tree, we began going through our resupply box, inhaling our fries and chasing them down with cold blueberry iced tea. 

We listened to audio books and enjoyed some of our favorite music. Straight forward hiking with seemingly one goal in mind, reach the end of the segment. 

The following morning was quite cold as we quickly moved down the trail and dove into what we called, " the Valley of the Sun." It was as it sounds, a beautiful valley full of morning sunlight and much needed warmth. 

The wind was calm, the clouds growing, but the window of opportunity remained. It was almost as if we had been invited for this personal journey across this heavenly place far from any city and high above all else. 

  What an incredible place it was. Surrounded on three sides with jagged peaks and steep scree fields, the alpine bowl opened up down the valley to an expansive view of the Dillon Reservoir.

The air is changing. The energy is changing. The landscape is changing. We are changing. Everything is changing. 

Sure, we weren't in the high alpine yet, but we were getting there, and after our low point with the early heat, this was an unexpected gem at lower elevation.

There are campsites here and there in the trees that line the meadow, a creek running down the middle, mostly hidden in the reeds, and evidence of a multitude of wildlife, footprints included, along the trail. 

Who would have thought, the first three segments are among the easiest elevation-wise, and yet, throw in some heat and dry conditions and you would have thought we were trekking through some of the hardest terrain on the trail. 

We have had a share of hardships over the years, we have certainly dealt with our share of challenges, but we chose to do this!

 This week on #exploring285 we visited Colorado Furniture at their new location in Conifer. They have one of a kind unique mountain decor & furniture waiting to brighten up your home! Go check them out! They are one of the few in the country to carry LUFT mattresses, to learn more about luft beds please to www.luftbeds.com. For more information on this store, please follow them on Facebook @cfconifer or stop on by their store conveniently located in the Staples and O'Reily's shopping center right next to Anytime Fitness. Their address is 10853 US Hwy 285, Conifer, CO 80433. 

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We were tired, it was steamy hot after the storms and the thought of continuing on felt daunting. Camp was set up and we called it a day.

This week on Exploring 285 we visited Mudslingers Coffee - Bailey, CO ! They have an assortment of hot & cold drinks, smoothies, coffee and some bomb mini donuts! Check them out! Drive thru for quick service!  

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