The
debate in planning for today - put the top on or chance it with the
rain prediction. I went half-way with the bikini top and doors. Much
quicker to put on and take off. In the end, I stayed mostly dry. My
left thigh had the most water from it dripping down between the top and
door.
Tom, from the jeep group is looking at some of the "typical northern
set" of trails. When we meet in Lyons with all standing around we'll
make the decision of what to travel. In the end - Johnny Park with the
typical spur entrance, then to Pierson Park South and walk to the
avalanche area that cut the trail in two then to Pole Hill. Adam split
out after Pierson Park to get back with family.
One comment from early in the day - with a small group of capable
vehicles (and trails that seemed a bit tame than of times past) - we
were traveling quickly. Scant stops with near zero stopping at
obstacles. A quick time!
At the end of Pole Hill I noticed the Jeep's odometer coming up on an
"odometer moment" number - 177,777.1 and 177,777.7 miles. With simple
planning I was able to place the jeep at "The Notch" for .1 and at an open area for .7.
Heading out was the mandatory stop at Glen Haven's General Store for a
treat. Popping out onto US-34 I saw a gent hitch hiking (in the drizzly
day) and stopped to give him a ride - Donnie from metro London area
visiting the U.S.A. for a bit. His goal for the day was Rustic CO or
the Shambhala Mountain Resort. A quick mental debate in the drizzle - I
could enjoy a nice weekend ride up the Poudre River Valley. Instead of
saying goodbye at Fort Collins we switched vehicles from the jeep to
the car. A bite to eat and up CO-14 we went. The sky cleared and the
drive was sweet with scant traffic as it was late in the afternoon. Sun
was low and in our eyes for the only distraction. A short stop for the
views at Picken's Point then over to his destination. I took the
northern route via Livermore for the return - a quick two hours or so
for the round trip.
Some comments from our visit - ah, yes, the chips/fries when ordering
supper, root beer is not common over there, he hiked over the
Continental Divide (and overnighted up there in a sleeping bag) from
northwest of Eldora to near Grand Lake - the trail on the east face was
populated though the west face was empty of people (understandable with
the eastern population bias).
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