The small amount of moisture that does fall in wintertime falls in the form of powdered snow so fine and cold that it freeze-dries plants before it can thaw and eke out the small amount of moisture available in this styrofoam like snow. You begin to forget why you moved here in the first place. Then spring comes, the grass resurrects, the trees get their leaves, and you remember why you like this area of Colorado so much. Spring here is truly beautiful.
Memorial Day 2009, May 25, dawned bright and sunny with the promise of a change in the gloomy weather that had prevailed so far this Holiday weekend. Weekend plans for a hike to the Crags had been postponed to Monday due to rain the previous two days and the bright sunny morning was encouraging. However, there were some high thin clouds that threatened of afternoon thunderstorms.
With Dad spending so much time away with work, he was determined to do something fun and out of the house as a family; you know, quality family time. He has been to the Crags, but in October after Colorado had begun to brown. The rest of the family had never been there so it seemed like a good place to go.
Starting off at the trail head.
Spring has yet to fully arrive at this elevation. The deciduous plants are just beginning to bud and the grass just starting to green. But it has been raining and the evergreens are thriving. This part of the trail was somewhat reminiscent of Dad's time in the Northwest; the trail is wet, the air is wet, the plants are dripping, and the moss is a vivid green. The Northwest just has MUCH more moss and more undergrowth.
Also reminiscent of his time in the Northwest, Dad had to carry one of his companions up the trail. Actually, this was good practice for Dad's Philmont trip this summer. Between the backpack of lunch and raincoats and Heber on the shoulders, he is carrying nearly the weight he will be carrying in his pack at Philmont. Heber probably spent a little more than half the hike in this position.
A beaverdam backfilled with sand and created a wide spot in the creek near a meadow. This spot became the topic of a discussion on camping. Plans are underway.
There are fields of giant granite boulders perfect for youngin's to climb and explore.
The source of the granite boulders. These cliffs rise above the valleys and at the top are the granite spires that make the crags.
The trail winds for over a mile through these small mountain valleys along the creek; absolutely beautiful with the vegetation and water in the bottom surrounded be granite cliffs and spires.
More pictures of the trail. I hope you don't mind, this is for posterity. Again, notice how Heber rolls.
This little valley forks around the rocks you see ahead. The main trail continues to the right and follows the edge of the hill. The bottom is kind of swampy, especially right now.
This table rock became our lunch table. We supped on PB&J, Doritos, and grape juice.
The youngin's participated in a little after lunch climb.
There were some creek crossings consisting of balancing on small branches as they rolled and floated in the water. Dad helped the youngin's cross.
After a little more than a mile of following the creek through little valleys, the trial entered the trees and the upward climb began. There was also more snow in the shade of the forest.
Dad told the youngin's how he had taken pictures sitting in the cradle of this seat branch when he was here before. Anna and Spencer had to have a go.
Rachel was too big a forest chicken to try the cradle seat branch, but she had to be included by swinging on lower branches.
Nearing the ridge and the worst of the climb.
From the ridge, you could look northeast at Crystal Reservoir (on the right) and other's whose names I can't recall.
Anna found this walking stick discarded by a past hiker. It is two feet taller than her, but she laid claim and drug it to the top. Mom finally made her leave it behind in an attempt to protect everyone else.
Nearing the top.
Looking back to the south. Pike's Peak is just a couple miles behind and a couple thousand feet higher than that peak. Real smile or not; you decide.
There were some cool formations and erosions in the rocks.
This was taken at the top. This is looking back toward Breckenridge. The little bird on the rock behind Spencer flew around our heads. He stayed close waiting for us to leave. We left him some pretzel crumbs. We were scarcely off the rock before he was snacking on pretzel crumbs. You wouldn't know it by this picture, but Spencer did have a good time as I recall.
The plains between Divide and Woodland Park are in the background. Woodland park is even visible in the right side of the picture.
Anna in particular was intrigued by the puddles in the rocks.
The viewer is looking to the west. The family is looking east.
The source of the granite boulders. These cliffs rise above the valleys and at the top are the granite spires that make the crags.
The trail winds for over a mile through these small mountain valleys along the creek; absolutely beautiful with the vegetation and water in the bottom surrounded be granite cliffs and spires.
More pictures of the trail. I hope you don't mind, this is for posterity. Again, notice how Heber rolls.
This little valley forks around the rocks you see ahead. The main trail continues to the right and follows the edge of the hill. The bottom is kind of swampy, especially right now.
This table rock became our lunch table. We supped on PB&J, Doritos, and grape juice.
The youngin's participated in a little after lunch climb.
There were some creek crossings consisting of balancing on small branches as they rolled and floated in the water. Dad helped the youngin's cross.
After a little more than a mile of following the creek through little valleys, the trial entered the trees and the upward climb began. There was also more snow in the shade of the forest.
Dad told the youngin's how he had taken pictures sitting in the cradle of this seat branch when he was here before. Anna and Spencer had to have a go.
Rachel was too big a forest chicken to try the cradle seat branch, but she had to be included by swinging on lower branches.
Nearing the ridge and the worst of the climb.
From the ridge, you could look northeast at Crystal Reservoir (on the right) and other's whose names I can't recall.
Anna found this walking stick discarded by a past hiker. It is two feet taller than her, but she laid claim and drug it to the top. Mom finally made her leave it behind in an attempt to protect everyone else.
Nearing the top.
Looking back to the south. Pike's Peak is just a couple miles behind and a couple thousand feet higher than that peak. Real smile or not; you decide.
There were some cool formations and erosions in the rocks.
This was taken at the top. This is looking back toward Breckenridge. The little bird on the rock behind Spencer flew around our heads. He stayed close waiting for us to leave. We left him some pretzel crumbs. We were scarcely off the rock before he was snacking on pretzel crumbs. You wouldn't know it by this picture, but Spencer did have a good time as I recall.
The plains between Divide and Woodland Park are in the background. Woodland park is even visible in the right side of the picture.
Anna in particular was intrigued by the puddles in the rocks.
The viewer is looking to the west. The family is looking east.
Headed back down, we began to feel the occasional raindrop.
The trail became a creek in places and a puddle in others. The youngin's found some high ground.
The youngin's were promised that they could visit this cave on the way back. It turned out to be a good refuge from the rain and sleet that were falling fully be this point. Notice the ponchos on the girls.
A picture from the top of granite boulders.
Some miscellaneous pictures from the trek back.
This log bridge crosses the creek on another trail, but the youngin's had to investigate.
The trailhead parking was completely full to overflowing when we returned. I guess that explains all the groups of people we passed as we headed down.
The trail became a creek in places and a puddle in others. The youngin's found some high ground.
The youngin's were promised that they could visit this cave on the way back. It turned out to be a good refuge from the rain and sleet that were falling fully be this point. Notice the ponchos on the girls.
A picture from the top of granite boulders.
Some miscellaneous pictures from the trek back.
This log bridge crosses the creek on another trail, but the youngin's had to investigate.
The trailhead parking was completely full to overflowing when we returned. I guess that explains all the groups of people we passed as we headed down.
The drive home was peaceful enough until we got back to town. US 24 was backed up from I-25 to Redrocks. We decided to take 31st to Filmore. Filmore was backed up from I-25 to the top of the hill. It took us probably a dozen cycles of the signal to get to I-25. Then the rain struck. The concrete surface of the freeway could not shed the water fast enough. We arrived at home safe and tired. Today was a good day.
P.S. It raining again.
