Here's about where we went:
The road from Rollinsville up to the east portal of the Muffat Tunnel is very well maintained
Hello
"We're going camping aren't we?!?!?"
"Woohoo camping!!"
Once you get to the tunnel you can go farther up Rollins Pass. This road is not maintained, and ridiculously bumpy/rocky! We aired the tires down which really helped. I was glad to have all terrain tires and steel rims, little chance of a puncture or bent rim. Plenty of other SUVs up here, we grimaced watching them bounce around violently on stock street tires at stock pressure. Didn't look like fun!
A view going up Rollins Pass, looking down on the maintained road we came in on:
Found ourselves a nice little spot just off the road, Karla marked it as ours:
Then she found some strawberries! Only a few, but tasty.
First thing's first...
Derby setup a squirrel perimeter
It's REALLY funny when she tries to keep herself from chasing them...
We're easily amused...
After lunch we set about collecting firewood. Love my Sven saw!
Highya!! (Karla's definitely better at splitting than I am)
Ok this won't do... What idiot made this ginormous (and useless) fire ring?!?!
Time for a remodel. Dang thing was PACKED with mud and ash.
Getting there... Anybody need some rocks??
Now that's properly done!
Derby supervised
Worth the effort
But we agreed it was time for a rest. Derby was awake and back on duty. "I can see better from up here!" (while she's standing on my bladder...)
Put Karla in a hammock and something is bound to be funny...
Nice fire for the evening. Ah yes. Stars were incredible later.
Up early Sunday morning, we had a hike to do! Back down Rollins Pass to the Moffat Tunnel trailhead.
We would be hiking up towards those mountains
See the Moffat Tunnel down there?
Crater Lakes were our destination for the day. 3 miles one way with a 1400' elevation gain. Most of that uphill was towards the end in some steep switchbacks. WHEW! A nice challenge seeing as the trail topped out at 10,050'.
Wildflowers, wildflowers, wildflowers!!
Well used and maintained trail, especially near the trailhead. Quite a few folks, but everyone was super friendly and following the leash law (Wilderness area) so it was nice.
Up, up, up!! After this I was too busy breathing to take pictures, LOL.
Burning legs and lungs and then...
Made our way around one of the crater lakes just enjoying the views and hunting a lunch spot.
Gave Derby a break from the leash, she stays close. She's seen something in the water!
Plenty of folks up here fishing and camping, but again everyone was pleasant and not loud. No screaming children either, woohoo!
Wildflowers!!
Rocky Mountain Columbine, Colorado state flower
Can you see Karla taking pictures?
Found a nice spot for lunch, Derby did some sunbathing
Carrying a full size tripod is always worth the effort
Sent Karla off with the camera to take some flower pictures while I cleaned up lunch
Continued around the lake back to the trail. Can you see the big waterfall? It's coming from the upper lake, which we didn't hike up to.
Oh wait... (lol)
Time to make our way back down
Looking down at a few of the switchbacks
And up the other direction
Quite a few stairclimber type areas!
Looking back up
Back towards the trailhead
Borrowed this one from the internet
Good dog
Good Forester
Packed up and heading home
If you drive by the house this is what you'll see... No fun was had at all!!
Very nice short weekend trip. Great weather, good food, nice fire and a fantastic hike. Life is good.
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