Yesterday we hiked 3.5 miles up Eldorado Canyon Spring Trail.
I am definitely paying for it today.
Eldorado Springs was once the home of Ute Indians who used the canyon walls to protect them from the harsh winters. They were run out by gold miners, and today the canyon is a popular place for rock climbers.
We hiked the Eldorado Canyon Trail, which is rated moderate to difficult. It begins at 6000 feet and climbs 1000 feet over 3.5 miles.
It is considered a technical trail with several boulder fields to cross and quite a few switchbacks and steep descent. It was fun, challenging, and wore us out.
At the top of the trail it meets with Walker Ranch Loop, another 7 miles on the top of the trail that is used for mountain biking. We were considering going the full 14 mile loop, but we were hungry and tired so we went back down instead. At the top of the peak, this creepy old tree was waiting for me. There were no signs of fire anywhere near the tree, but the tree itself had been burned. It was definitely an eerie thing, and I was glad to leave it.
I uploaded these pics on my mobile app when we left the trail. I didn’t add much narrative to it because I hate using my phone, and I was gently reminded by my friend, @we_deny_everything, that I should add some substance! I promise next time to have more history and notes in my log!
We came home, showered and met some friends at a bar. We were sunburned, starving and even a little sore, so the beer was that much sweeter!
beautiful. i remember going to Colorado with my family as a kid, years and years and years ago lol… i also remember liking it a lot.
@Peridot21 - I think you would like even more if you came to visit now! I would even buy the beer!
Yep, it’s a beautiful canyon!
reply@ThereWillBeDragons - Hey! I wanted to ask you some questions about mountaineering and search and rescue, gonna be around this evening?
Just a thought… Possible lighting strike on the tree alone. No impact on anything around it due to it’s height? I actually saw that happen eons ago when I was at camp one year. That sight is embedded in my memory because it scared the holy hell out of me!
My god that’s breathtaking. I miss the mountains…..my dad is from Tennessee, we used to visit and go hiking a lot when I was a kid.
@BoulderChristina - I will be sleeping all day the next four days in a row sadly, because I work the next four nights. Not sure when I will actually get to hike horsetooth, but soon enough!
Comments (42)
It looks like a very peaceful run.
high country. sweet.
It is a glimpse of history, right? The Utes, Cheyenne, and Arapaho must have traveled the same path.
@Erika_Steele – oh god, there’s no way I could have run it, I could barely hike it! I’m sure there are superheroes that can run it though.
@we_deny_everything – I’m sure there was history behind it, and I will research and add tomorrow
@complicatedlight – It was less than 1500 gain, but it felt pretty high to me!
@BoulderChristina - I would have in high school. I would try my best to do it now. It would be motivating.
@Erika_Steele – It’s pretty technical, so I wouldn’t even try. I’d cheer you on while I ate my Pringles though!
@BoulderChristina - You VILL do the VORK haha
beautiful. that tree could tell a story or two.
@BoulderChristina - Oh wait! Pringles? Neither of us would be running.
Looks like a great place to go hiking.
@we_deny_everything – thanks for not letting me slack
you’re a great writing partner
@Erika_Steele – sounds like a date!
@catstemplar2 – thanks, it was a fun hike. Much more fun now that we are done though.
@promisesunshine – it was at the top and had an eerie feel to it, I loved it!
@BoulderChristina - the eerie feel is there in the photo.
Awesome views there. But, Y U NOT IN THA PICS???
Welcome back to the Xangaverse! It’s Friday!!
so beautiful
So much grandeur in those pictures. Unbelieveable. Welcome back, Missy. See you in the hallways!! You’ve most certainly been missed.
Great captures! Such a beautiful area.
Nice pictures! Yeah, that looks like Colorado to me.
gotta love colorado, such beauty all around. This made me want to go hike around horsetooth now!
@Unstoppable_Inner_Strength - There you go, I am now!
@Shadowrunner81 - Yay! So glad to be back!
@godfatherofgreenbay - It keeps me here and poor!
@MzSilver - Thank you! So happy to be back!
@feyenigma - Thank you! I do love CO
@leaflesstree - Thank you!
@voodoo_flower_child - If you wait until tomorrow, I will meet you there!
Your husband has the biggest smile ever!
@Shadowrunner81 - Yeah, it’s the beer!
beautiful. i remember going to Colorado with my family as a kid, years and years and years ago lol… i also remember liking it a lot.
@Peridot21 - I think you would like even more if you came to visit now! I would even buy the beer!
Yep, it’s a beautiful canyon!
reply@ThereWillBeDragons - Hey! I wanted to ask you some questions about mountaineering and search and rescue, gonna be around this evening?
Just a thought… Possible lighting strike on the tree alone. No impact on anything around it due to it’s height? I actually saw that happen eons ago when I was at camp one year. That sight is embedded in my memory because it scared the holy hell out of me!
@BoulderChristina - lol deal!
My god that’s breathtaking. I miss the mountains…..my dad is from Tennessee, we used to visit and go hiking a lot when I was a kid.
@BoulderChristina - I will be sleeping all day the next four days in a row sadly, because I work the next four nights. Not sure when I will actually get to hike horsetooth, but soon enough!
great pics!