Competing
schedules and emotionally draining work shifts had Dani and I (and
Munson) running ragged. Cranky and overweight, we needed an escape,
even the smallest one. A few weeks ago we finally had a weekend off
together and we were not about to waste it. So we headed up to where
the beer flows like wine and the women instinctively flock like
the salmon of Capistrano. I'm talking of course about Aspen, CO. I
had heard from a friend at work about an amazing hike to Conundrum
Springs just outside of Aspen. We loaded up the car Friday
morning with plans to head up to the mountains early Saturday. But
when I got off work late Friday night, we were too excited and antsy
so we just hit the road. We got going around midnight and got to the
trailhead around 2:30am. I have a feeling that we missed a really
beautiful drive in the darkness, but we were too amped to just wait.
We
rearranged the car to get a few hours of sleep and got up just before
dawn. We could see that a few other folks were getting ready to hit
the trail, so we got Munson suited up and got going so we could beat
the other spring goers. Munson was especially excited to try out her
new pack. And we were excited for her to finally start pulling her
own weight. The trail took turns weaving through Tolkien forests and
wide mountain meadows. There were several creek crossings along the
way. Some of them were made easier (or perhaps scarier) by log
bridges. Munson was scared witless by the first bridge, but by the
second one she was doing backflips and landing in the splits.
Total,
the trail was about 9.5 miles and we were very motivated by our
recent lack of nature or really any outdoor active experience. So for
the first 7 miles or so (the flatter part) our pace reflected our
excitement. Then the last 2 miles arrived around the same time as the
copious amounts of lactic acid in our legs. Our pace slowed. But we
made it just after lunch time.
Technically
(and legally) dogs are not allowed all the way up to the springs, but
Munson has always been a rebel, even sneaking into beaches as a
puppy, so she continued her delinquent ways and joined us. We
found a perfect secluded campsite with a wonderful view and after
setting up camp, we made the the one minute walk to the springs. The
main hot spring pool was just off of a lovely mountain creek and was
big enough to fit 12 people or so. It was warmer than most hot tubs.
It looked out over the entire valley that we had hiked through. It
was absolutely amazing. And for the first 4 hours or so, we were the
only people there. Eventually more folks started showing up, but it
never got crowded and everyone was friendly, or if not friendly, at
least naked.
We
spent the entire sunburning afternoon in the spring. With the sun and
the hike we were completely beat so in the evening we headed back to
our campsite for a nap. We relaxed at our site for a while and when
Munson wasn't passed the heck out she was rolling around in the
patches of snow left in the area. Exquisite camp pizza quesadillas
were for dinner and shortly after dark we walked back to the springs.
This time it was far more busy, around ten people, but again either
friendly and/or naked.
The
chilly mountain air made us sleep better than comatose logs and in
the morning we had another quick dip and packed up camp. We stocked
Munson up with some peanut butter for energy (and laughs) and hit the
trail. Since we got an early start and weren't trying to beat anyone
to our car, we took it easy and were able to stop and enjoy the
sights of the valley more; like the rushing white waters, abandoned
cabins, sweeping canyon walls, and rotting cow corpses. Munson got
extra exercise by chasing ground squirrels across the meadows and otters across the river with her pack on. Though the hike back was
primarily downhill,
good lord did it still seem long. Munson
eventually just started protesting and laying in the shady tall
grass. Luckily she was easily re-motivated with treats and higher
pitched voices. We could have sworn that each bend we came around,
our Passat would be waiting, waving and offering cold PBRs. But most
of those bends were let downs, except for the last one of course.
The
fresh underwear and ice cold Mexican beer that our car offered were
amazing. Munson immediately passed out under the car and Dani and I
shared several celebratory high fives. We were able to pack up the
car rather quickly and we made our way back into Aspen for some
supplies. We picked up some eggs and ice and explored the historic
downtown Aspen. Its really like no other place I've been. The
crunchiest snowboarder twisting his dirty dreads in the reflection of
a Prada storefront window a lady with a mink jacket and 6 inch
stilettos dangerously stepping into a gondola ride up the mountain -
unique place. We had lunch at a charming little restaurant and
decided it was time to find a place to camp for the night. Just south
of Aspen on Independence Pass, there are several car camping sites. I
think we found the best. Just off the main road enough to feel
backcountry, but nothing that would tear up the undercarriage of our
loaded Volkswagen. We found a site right on a small river that
offered some much needed splash of life.
We
had our “roughing it/backcountry” experience, now we wanted to
kick back and relax with a few more amenities. Like a cooler, picnic
table and pit toilets. Even with our car parked a few feet away and a
sign with State Forest regulations across the field, it still felt
wild and rustic. Unfortunately there was (and still is) a state wide
fire ban, so we made dinner on the stove and then had some delicious
white gas roasted smores. Which were made with the largest
marshmallows known to modern man. If we would have forgotten our
pillows we would have still been OK with these giant sweet treats
under our noggins at night. Seriously.
In
the morning we found another fork of the river on the other side of
the camping area. It was beautiful. With a few small falls and a good
jumping rock, we were able to spend a few hours here. The water was
paralyzingly cold and amazing. We chased a few foxes off the rocks
and found some natural formed chaise lounges. A quick trip back to
our site for a half dozen frigid cans of Pabst made the experience
perfect. Eventually we realized that we couldn't live there and we
trotted back to the site to pack up and hit the road.
We
took a different way home- Independence Pass. It weaved up mountain
sides and apexed at the continental divide. We stopped to snap a few
pics and smile at all the spandex laden tour bikers huffing in their
sweet thin air of accomplishment. Through odd and adorable mining
towns and desolate valleys we made it home with a little daylight
left to unload the car. Munson had been asleep since we started the
car and would be for about another three days. The weekend went fast
but we were sure to soak in every benefit that it was capable of
offering. Money is stressful, work is annoying....
and love in the
mountains takes it all away.
Miss
and love you all.
-d&t
PS- more pics below.
After an epic drive in Rocky Mountain National Park full of switchbacks, squinnies and hail, we settled in to a cozy little cabin in the mountains with a private hot tub. After some quality jacuzzin' we hit the town!
