“Safer at Home and the Colorado Great Outdoors 2020”
We are back in the shadow of the Sleeping Ute.
There were still ruins we had not seen and trails we had not traversed.
Holly ruins can be hiked from Hovenweep NM but we disperse camped at the trailhead.
Amazing how structures are built right from the rock like a medieval tower.
Painted Hand Tower was unique and a pleasant hike.
This is a panorama of the great kiva at Lowry Pueblo.
We hiked both ends of the Sand Canyon and disperse camped here on the upper north end one night with this view of the canyon…
…and these unique structures in alcoves were on the south end.
We walked around Hovenweep NM and marveled at the construction.
We appreciated the interesting cloud formations.
And were happy to to spot some wildlife with this lizard.
We enjoyed a spectacular sunset from the campground.
We left the Sleeping Ute in the rearview mirror as we finished our 27 days on the road.
Look at all those fourteeners! What a view.
A dispersed site off FS755 with a nice view of the reservoir and…
…A great view of the Collegiate Peaks – the other side is Buena Vista.
We hiked the road along Texas Creek enjoying the majestic mountains.
The bulldozer is maintaining the road and closing off illegal campsites.
A nice spot to hang out for lunch and while away a hour or so.
Another lunch spot and a few nights of camping in Taylor Park.
A day trip to this nearby mountain town.
A good wander around and a visit to the scenic historic cemetery.
We pulled up for a hike and stayed the night in this quiet spot.
A very nice bunch of aspens greeted the beginning of our hike.
Several stream crossings took careful attention…
…Or an opportunity to goof around.
But a peaceful destination to hang out was our reward.
We turned off Slumgullion Pass to Deer Lakes on the Cannibal Plateau in the Gunnison National Forest-
We found a great spot to camp next to this beaver pond – we watched several move branches across the pond and then disappear underwater.
A hike into the Powderhorn wilderness above our camp.
A peaceful way to enjoy a day. It is wonderful to be off the grid.
Heading back to our favorite campsite to watch the beaver family preparing for winter.
Still in the Rio Grande National Forest, we head up another valley.
We start above our camp at Thirty Mile Campground for our hike.
Checking the map while overlooking Rio Grande Reservoir.
Entering Weminuche Wilderness, the largest protected area in Colorado.
A bridge sturdy enough for horses crosses the start of the Rio Grande River.
Weminuche Pass is a relatively low crossing of the Continental Divide.
Finding the names for all the mountains while we take a break.
Enjoying the deer back at our camp site while we listened to the river.
Mid- September, we headed to Rio Grande National Forest, an area of Colorado south of Creede we had not explored.
Huge piles of beetle kill limber pines that had been cut for fire mitigation.
Stage One Fire Restrictions: No burning!
Sun has not yet reached the valley as we head into La Garita Wilderness.
It is starting to feel like fall in this gorgeous section of the trail.
Wheeler Geologic Area used to be a National Monument.
Remote and Unique, it was a fun area to explore.