It was 35F and windy yesterday, so instead of freezing my booty off on an hour spin, I decided to take it up to the trails and go for a hike. I used to do a ton of hiking in the Chautauqua area, but I hadn’t climbed up to the Royal Arch in over two years.
My legs were feeling strong, so I hiked pretty much as fast as I could without running going up. I wore my hiking boots for a reason – to keep me from running. It’s hard for me to hike b/c I used to do a lot of trail running. It feels odd to walk. I enjoy hiking because it forces me to slow down and look around. The quiet solitude of the mountains always relaxes me.
Half the hike is big rock steps up the mountain. Pretty cool, and pretty technical.
No wonder it’s called Boulder, CO
After 45-50 minutes and 1400′ of ascending, I got to the Arch.
The trails were surprisingly quiet yesterday.
I was wishing I had a doggie friend with me. My boss, Zeke, has the best puppy ever. He a 130lb Newfoundland Malamute named Bory. I love Bory. He comes to work and hangs out every day, so sometimes I feel like I have a dog. Someday when I have the time to take care of one properly….
I forgot my hiking poles, so coming down the steep, snowy trail actually took as long as going up!
I have never really owned a nice pair of hiking boots, and I am telling you, I love my Asolo Fugitive GTX boots. I have been wanting them for years, so I am very excited. I need to get different insoles though. They make my big toes hurt after awhile. I hope I am able to make time this summer to do some 14ers. Even better! Ride to the base, hike to the top, ride back. Long’s Peak would become Super Long’s Peak! I may be dragging Mr. Kerkove to do that. Shhhh, don’t tell.
Today, I am headed up to FoCo to do a 1.5 hour spin with Jeff and tomorrow I will be trying my hand at The Oval Ride tomorrow. I suck at fast group rides… I simply do not have the high end to hang with the accelerations, plus I am a mountain biker. I am good at dictating my own pace, not so much following that of another. If I put my head down after I get dropped, I can usually bridge back up to the group, but it’s hard for me not to dangle off the back. Maybe I will surprise myself tomorrow.
Nice photos and way to enjoy winter instead of trying to do a misrable ride. You can ride a bike to the top of a 14 er here. Mt. Evans is 14100 and pavement all the way. From idaho springs its about 7000′ of climbing and 28 miles straight up.
Yeah, I know Mt. Evans. It’d be cool to do the race. I want to hike a 14er though. 🙂
I love hiking, it’s a great way to mix things up. Plus you work out muscles in your legs that you don’t necessarily hit when riding the bike. Looks like you had a fun time!