Nestled in the mountains, this touristy little town is a quick and easy escape from the hectic lives we live. A necessary and doable escape for everyone, yet everyone must have been too intimidated by the winds... their loss :)
The plan had been to head up a trail known as Loan Pine, but the dirt road had different plans in store for us. Rounding one of the corners, several feet of packed and drifted snow and ice covered the road and there was no way around. After trying to get the car over the winter's remnants, we got smart and realized that it would be better to simply park and hike to the trail.
We were just happy to be away from it all again, and yes, it may be kinda crazy that we can only take 2 weeks at a time of the world. Oh well.
As we hiked up the dirt road, we started wondering just how much snow would pack the trail we intended to travel on, and we quickly decided to postpone this area for summer with the likelihood of car camping along the road. So it goes.
We had a backup plan, of course. Soon we were hiking along the Mount Margaret trail, a wide and easy, heavily traveled path just outside of the community. Soon though, we took a detour up a rock out cropping... and then another.
Climbing up the second face, we realized just how windy it had been. Free climbing up some 5.6 / 5.7 stuff in 70mph winds, we had successfully freed ourselves from the troubles left back in Fort Collins. Cresting the mound of granite, the winds were strong enough to blow you off your feet and we took shelter in one of nature's mysterious formations within the granite: bowls carved deep into the face.
While being subjected to the fierce wind was fun for a while, soon it was time to head down and continue down on the trail. Leisurely, we strolled through the pine trees and open meadows at 8 thousand feet, basking in the warm weather, winds, and pine smells around us. Ridding ourselves of the money and hectic lives back home, we just walked, talked, and enjoyed our surroundings, wishing only that we could go back to Canyonlands... to a world less complicated.
Mount Margaret provided a new view on mountains, for it was lower than the altitude we started from, yet it still provided some breathtaking views of the valley and surround peaks and rocks. Unfortunately, neither of us was feeling quite spunky enough to find a way to the top, and we settled for a more protected, eastern-facing side gazing down upon a ranch. We also decided to take a more... adventurous route up through a small slot between rocks.
Perched atop the granite for 20 minutes, we realized the sun would be setting soon (though this time change is really a great thing, once you get past the lack of sleep).
Heading back up the trail and taking notice, now, of all the sets of bear tracks that seemingly went unnoticed on our trek out, we paused for an impromptu game of baseball...erm...pinecone-stick-ball? Regardless, it was simple and enjoyable.
Unfortunately, this was only a day trip and we were soon back at the car, eating pretzels and providing voice-overs for the herd of deer playing near the parking lot. Apparently, I am a deer? I mean, I guess the way they run... and walk... and just seem to be trapped between our world and theirs, it could kinda make sense? Maybe?
...Or maybe we were just really dehydrated.
Soon, we were cruising down the windy roads, dropping back into canyons outside of town. On our way back to town, we decided we weren't quite ready to go home yet.
We decided a pit stop to Watson Lake and the A were necessary. Peering down upon Fort Collins and Horsetooth Reservoir From the A for the first time in 5 months, we picked up old conversations from November and new conversation from today. Squirrel suits and water cars soon gave way to food and food, and we took off.
Soon, though, we were back home, watching dumb movies, and relaxing... something I too often forget to do.
Relaxing, it was.
Now I procrastinate, writing a blog instead of an article, a paper, and an outline. We leave for Boston on Thursday, and I only hope that the next couple days go fast so a vacation of vacations can happen.
But more on that later... I can't wait any longer to get stuff done for the next 2 weeks. Soon, though, summer will be here and only one class will take my time. Then is when mountains, trails, and roads can be explored without worry or reason to return.
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