IntrepidXJ's Adventure Blog

Saturday, January 12, 2013

On Saturday we battled the frigid temperatures to visit the annual Ouray Ice Festival. We check it out last year for the first time and had a lot of fun, so we made sure to return again this year. We arrived early and spent most of the day watching the competition and the other ice climbers in the park. Even though the temperatures were colder than usual, we still had a great time. Attending the Ice Festival just might continue to become one of our annual traditions.

Snow on the mountains around Ouray.

Snow Covered by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Early Climber by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Climbing on rock in the competition.

On the Rock by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
 

Sunday, December 30, 2012

This is it! My final trip report from 2012. I sure hope 2013 is at least as good to me as 2012 was.

For my final trip of the year I had the urge to get out snowshoeing again, except I didn’t want to just head up onto the Grand Mesa again. I wanted to try somewhere new that still wasn’t too far away from home. I realized that I hadn’t made it to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park all year and I know they have some snowshoe trails near the Visitor’s Center, so I thought it would be a great place to check out.

I left my house bright and early and arrived at the park well before sunrise. Let me tell you, it was cold and windy! I hiked around until I found a view into the canyon I liked and waited for the sun to come up.

Black Canyon Dawn by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The Gunnison River far below.

Gunnison River by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

When the sun broke free of the horizon, it lit up the rim of the canyon.

Black Canyon Sunrise by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
 

On Saturday evening I drove up onto the Grand Mesa so I could get my first snowshoe trip of the season in. I ended up going to the Mesa Lakes area and following the route that goes past the Water Dog Reservoir. I didn’t bring my camera with me, but I did take a few photos with my iPhone that I’ll share. I only saw two other people the whole time I was out, and I made it back to my Jeep just as the sun was setting. It was a nice way to spend the evening.

Closed Road by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Three by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Tracks by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
 

Christmas Eve | Saturday, December 24, 2011

Since Amanda had to work this morning, I decided to head up on the Grand Mesa to do a little snowshoeing. I bought a new pair of snowshoes and some new poles a few months back and wanted to try them out. Since I was testing out new gear and only had a few hours I decided to head back to the West Bench Trail since I’m familiar with it.

I also only took my iPhone on this short hike instead of dragging along my DSLR, so if my photos don’t look up to my usual standards, you know why…

Here’s my new MSR Evo Tour snowshoes ready for their first hike.

New Snowshoes by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The first bridge I crossed.

Snow Bridge by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The snow wasn’t quite as high as the last time I was here. Last January the snow almost completely covered this sign.

Stop by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
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Saturday, January 8, 2011

My first official trip report of 2011. Amanda had to work in Avon today, so I headed up on the Grand Mesa to get in my first snowshoe trip of the season. There was an inversion in the Grand Valley today, so it was nice to get up above the haze and into warmer temperatures, too! When I set out I wasn’t sure which trail I was going to hit, but when I got up there I decided to head out on the West Bench Trail for a few miles and then head back. I ended up snowshoeing about 4.3 miles, which isn’t bad for my first trip of the season. It definitely was a good workout! The conditions on the Mesa were great and it was a beautiful day. Here’s a few photos from my hike…

Strapping on my snowshoes for the first time this winter

Gauge of how deep the snow is

Passing by the first reservoir

Ice on the branches

Aspens and Snow

Seeing what kind of sunburst I could get out of my S90….this was as good as it gets when stopped all the way down to f8

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