Admittedly living in a trailer everything could often be completed by noon. So what did we do for ourselves on our time off? With the jeep and sometimes a map we could travel into the back country with our cameras looking for wildlife or old mines that litter the country. Again I was never lost in our travels only confused a few times. But, we always made it back as you can tell. We have also brought our bikes with us and several times rode them up on the Midland Trail system.
Sometimes we would simply hike back behind the campground on what is known as the spaghetti trails. Trails in this system have names like Macaroni, Meatball, or Fettuccini. Most of this country is managed Bureau of Land Management. Tommy would also organize a moonlight hike every month during the full moon. A group would gather after dark at the office to do an easy hike at night. It was fascinating to be walking around the hills by the light of the full moon.
One of the regulars at the campground was an elderly gentleman from Michigan affectionately known as Arrow Head Bob. Every year he would arrive in late May and stay for two weeks. Bob could be seen wandering the campground and surrounding hills with his walking staff and head down looking for arrow heads. The man is uncanny at finding arrowheads in and around the campground. He would always come back from his trips into the hills with at least one good arrowhead along with antler sheds.
Arrowhead Bob and Friends
Several times we walked with him back in the hills to learn his techniques, which he gladly shared with anyone. Bob firmly believed that one of the best ways to locate his finds was too as he says “listen to the animals.” If a deer or bird caught his attention he would go to where they had been to look. I must admit that often that was where he would find his best arrow heads.
Before he left that spring he was visited by a small black bear at his cabin during the middle of the night. The bear knocked on his door but Bob wouldn’t let him in. This became the only subject of his discussions for the remainder of his stay. As with any good story the events and activities of this little bear grew with each retelling.
The bear returned several times during the summer. He would go after the sugar water in the humming bird feeders or dog food that may have been left out. He was even spotted near the campground one evening and three of us set about to scare him off. I don’t think we had much of an effect on the little guy, since he would return whenever he wanted. One of the regular campers named Cinnamon for the color of his coat.
At least twice a month on our days off we would take day trips to explore central Colorado. We would drive up to Breckinridge to do our banking and explore the area. As a change we would drive down to a bank in Woodland Park or Gunnison.
With Leadville so close we visited it many times. Leadville is an old mining town that has survived by successfully making the transition to tourism. It helped that it is so close to many outdoor activities. Trout fishing, hiking, and mountain biking are advertised everywhere. Lance Armstrong even made an appearance for their premier bike race. Additionally, because of its rich mining history it is the home of the National Mining Hall of Fame.
Gold and Silver mining was the main industry for many years and the town has a rich history of unique individuals and their adventures. Early in the communities life a black lead compound was thrown away as a waste until silver was found combined with the lead. The locals have since embraced the hazardous metal in spite of the environmentalist feelings.
The Climax Mine is a working mine that is located just north of the town. It is one of the world leading producers of the mineral Molybdenum. Climax is presently in the process of ramping up its production.
Saint Elmo is another of the many ghost towns. A few people live here all season long but many of the homes are summer residents. There is one cabin rental and a Bed and Breakfast in the town. The General Store is the only building open for tourist and is surrounded by an acre of antiques. The store sells packages of seeds to feed to the herd of chipmunks that live in and around the buildings. A favorite activity of the tourists is to sit and hand feed the little beasts. There is also a wide assortment of humming birds that reside here in the summer.
St Elmo Beasts
Another trip found us traveling over Independence Pass into Aspen. I found Aspen to be a little too rich for my tastes so we quickly turned around and headed back. We then stopped at the Independence ghost town for some pictures. This is a town that is being reconstructed and no one lives there.
The Pass
Several trips found us traveling over Cottonwood Pass to Taylor Reservoir. From here we traveled up to the Ghost town of Tin Cup. Here is another town that does have some residents all year but most are summer homes. We enjoyed the unique architecture of the area and talking to the locals before having lunch at the local restaurant called Frenchy’s. They serve great sandwiches and hamburgers. For desert we shared a slice of their famous Fruits of the Forest Pie.
Frenchy's Resturant
When talking about Tin Cup undoubtedly the cemetery is mentioned. This is a required visit for everyone. It is situated about a mile outside of town on several knolls. Each knoll is assigned to a specific religious group. From the parking lot the first knoll you reach is for the Jewish residents. Across a small bridge the next knoll is for the Catholics. We found that it has received some recent residents. The furthest knoll out and possibly the largest was an area for the Protestants. The last knoll was of course called Boot Hill. The plots are populated with miners, cowboys, gamblers, prostitutes, unknowns, and local residents.
Tin Cup Cemetary
From Taylor Reservoir we could also follow the Taylor River down to Almont then up to Crested Butte. It’s is another community surrounded by mountains that is an outdoor enthusiast Mecca. Crested Butte is also famous for its Wild Flower and Wild Mushroom Festivals during the summer. One day as we were traveling back from Almont towards Taylor Reservoir we stopped to watch a group of climbers climbing and repelling down cliffs next to the river. Further up the road we stopped again to watch a small herd of Rocky Mountain sheep grazing on the canyon walls.
Residents on Taylor River
The final trip I wanted to mention was down to Cripple Creek. Here is another town that grew from the Gold Rush days and has survived. It has been transformed into one of Colorado’s three gambling towns. The towns buildings and casino architecture is great for pictures. Even if I didn’t gamble I left a winner when I was given a discount for lunch for being mistaken for one of the locals.
Cripple Creek Town Hall
One of my goals this summer was to learn how to fly fish. After all the Arkansas River is only a half a mile from our home and is world famous for its fishing. I decided to hire a guide to get me started. The KOA campground recommended Tim Hill from Colorado Fly-Fishing of Leadville. Besides he offered me a discount. We spent half a day on the South Platte near Antero Reservoir. While I didn’t catch anything that day it was money well spent.
He patiently showed me several knots for tying the lines and flies. A wind knot was not one on his list but one that I became very good at. For the first two months I spent a lot of time undoing these knots. As the time went on I got better at the correct knots and avoiding the ones that cost me time.
After my lesson I would spend as much time as I could on the streams fishing. The problem was that the snowmelt had caused all of the rivers to rise to unsafe levels and fishing was difficult for even the most advanced fisherman. For the next two months I tried but felt as if I was only practicing. Then in early July I was fishing the Arkansas near where Clear Creek feeds into the river when it all came together.
I had been fishing for fifteen minutes and had worked my way to a small riffle area. I was being brave with two flies tied on. Out went my cast and it went where I actually wanted. A short mend in the line to get the drift right as Tim had shown. I watched the indicator drift down and was shocked when it disappeared. This had never happened like this before so I stood there a second before realizing what was happening. Holding the line I lifted the tip and could feel it start to fight back. I reeled in the slack and worked the fish towards me. I pictured myself as Brad Pitt in “A River Runs through It” as I netted the fish. A brief moment of admiring what I had accomplished, a quick photo and I then released the poor guy.
My First Fish
I caught two more that morning but none as big or as memorable as that first fish. The ice was broken for me and I would catch more the rest of the season on both rivers. Several of the campers now staying were from out of the state and here to fish. I was now the resident fly fishing expert and a source of information for many of them.
As I had mentioned earlier the owner Tommy is an avid hiker and climber. He had organized a climbing trip for a church group camping with us. As I had the day off and no plans I offered to help for the day. Under his guidance we set up two ropes for climbers to ascend the rock face. Another pair of ropes was set up to rappel down the face. We all cheered and coached the kids or adults up the rock. Not everyone was able to reach the top but all gained a sense of achievement for trying.
Another goal I had set for myself this summer was to climb to the summit of one of the 14er peaks in the area. Tommy at the beginning of the season had promised that he would organize an attempt for all that wanted. There were less than eight weeks left in the season and I was ready to strike out on my own when it was announced that he was planning two attempts.
Everyone planning to go was to start training for the attempts by walking around the campground. I was already walking quite a lot at work. So my training consisted of driving up to trailheads at higher altitudes for a little walk.
Our first attempt was to reach the summit of Mt. Antero. The plan was to drive up to the parking lot and walk the half-mile to its top. I was very disappointed in this plan, after all a half-mile walk was nothing. However since I had expressed a desire in doing the summit attempt and I had a jeep that was needed to ferry people up the mountain I kind of felt obligated to go.
The road to the parking lot of Antero was a narrow rough boulder strewn path with switchbacks. Whenever vehicles met on the trail someone had to squeeze to one side. Mini-Me performed flawlessly as four of us literally bounced our way closer to the top. We passed others that were doing the climb the real way by walking and I thought that should be us.
When we reached the parking lot everyone piled out of the vehicles and strapped on our packs. Those that had been here before only smiled and offered words of wisdom or encouragement as we set out. The trail to the summit was marked and well defined at first. Then we would get into the boulder gardens and the trail would disappear. Our pace slowed as we neared the peak. I welcomed the breaks now since this was harder than I thought it would be. The air is much thinner up here. My earlier training had helped but it still was difficult to maintain any stamina. Others would pass us by and I didn’t care.
We all gathered below the final steep climb to the top. Those of us who have never been to a summit were put in front to be sure that we were the first to the top. Off we went to the summit. As I reached the top and could look down in all directions I felt as if I had scaled Mt Everest. I had spent the summer looking up at the peak of Mt Antero and now I was looking down. Everywhere I looked had that rugged beauty look. To me I could even detect the curvature of the earth from up here.
The Boys and Lady on Mr Antero
Everyone took pictures of the view and the group. Some called friends just to say where they were. At times we would just sit and try to absorb the enormity of it all. As we turned and started our return trip down to the vehicles I felt proud of what I had thought would have been a small accomplishment. We were back at the campground by lunch.
We then had a week to recover and prepare for the attempt on Mount Princeton. Again the plan was to take our vehicles up close to the trailhead and this time I was not as judgmental of our plan. The road up Mt Princeton was not nearly as rough. Again it was narrow. In places it was steep and rocky with several switch backs. At the start of the trailhead was a wide spot in the road with enough room for our vehicles to park.
The trail works its way around one of the lesser peaks known as Tigger. After that you can see the top of Princeton for the rest of the climb. The trail to the summit was much longer than Anterio and I reminded myself that I had asked for it. Again the trail started off well marked but then turned into boulder gardens. People would build little markers out of small stones to help guide you but these too would be confusing. At some point a rock slide had obliterated the previous trail and we managed to find the new one.
The day had started out partly cloudy and we all tried to keep one eye on the weather for fear of any lightning storms. We soon found ourselves above the clouds and would watch them during our breaks. I actually watched small clouds form below me then disappear. There was a blanket of clouds down the valley towards Salida and we were all relived to watch it burn off during the morning.
Again we gathered as a group below the summit before reaching the top. I was just as excited on reaching the summit as before. The wind was blowing and it was much cooler this time. The view was just as awe inspiring for me. Everyone tries but you cannot capture the expanse that lay before you with a camera.
The Boys on Princeton
As summer draws to an end we all started talking about the fall colors. The mountains in Chaffee County have some of the nicest groves of Aspens. With two weeks left in our season at the Buena Vista Koa we began the color watch. From the campground we would catch ourselves constantly gazing at the mountains looking for the first hints of any color change during our working day.
A storm blew through the mountains and dropped the first blanket of snow of the season on the peaks. With the day off we drove Mini-Me up to Cottonwood Pass looking for any animals, fall colors, and to see snow.
We were rewarded with both. Some of the Aspens had turned to their golden color and could be seen doing their dance in the wind. A thin layer of snow covered the ground at the pass. Now we knew fall was finally here. We would have to work the next four days but we planned our next trips as we drove down the mountain.
Cottonwood Pass looking North East
Over the final two weeks of our season in Buena Vista we traveled throughout the back country as much as time would allow. We drove up such roads as Aspen Ridge and Elk Pass in the San Isabel mountain range. Back up to Saint Elmo and Cottonwood Pass just to watch the passing of the season. We had never really been able to enjoy this season in Arizona. Each turn in the road would bring a new hill side that was in the middle of its grandeur. Each turned also brought the chance to view the deer and wild turkeys that called these hills their home.
Fall colors on road to Mary Murphy Mine
Our time here has come to an end. I have talked about many of our adventures but time and space will not permit me to mention all of them. Besides it would get really boring to you after awhile. The more we saw and learned about our slice of the Front Range the more we wanted to do. But it’s time to move on and so we did.
I had hoped to spend winter in warm and sunny Arizona, New Mexico, or Texas. However, we find ourselves staying in Grand Junction Colorado for the winter. We are preparing for the cold and have plans to drink lots of Hot Chocolate, reading, and planning our next summer. I hope to do better and keeping up with the Blog from now on.
We have accepted a job with the Jellystone campground of Estes Park Colorado. We will be known as the Sparkle Team with three students to help with the cleaning.
