dreams come true in blue hawaii.: Conundrum

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....