July 21Jul 21 41 minutes ago, Chewbacca said: Please don't feed the wildlife, folks. I don’t think the small community of chipmunks at the St Elmo ghost town will suffer from catastrophic species collapse because they were hand fed sunflower seeds during the warmer months.
July 21Jul 21 4 minutes ago, crash_davis said: Except that's the THING in St Elmo. The general store (one of the few actual buildings in that ghost town) sells sunflower seeds so that you CAN FEED the chimpmunks. I agree that's not something you generally do. It's not something you should ever do. I don't give a shit if they sell seeds for it or not.
July 21Jul 21 1 minute ago, LCHorn said: I don’t think the small community of chipmunks at the St Elmo ghost town will suffer from catastrophic species collapse because they were hand fed sunflower seeds during the warmer months. How about you just don't do it anywhere? Fuckin a, people. It's not hard.
July 21Jul 21 2 minutes ago, Chewbacca said: How about you just don't do it anywhere? Fuckin a, people. It's not hard. For someone under the handle Chewbacca you sure are mean to the Ewoks.
July 21Jul 21 1 minute ago, LCHorn said: For someone under the handle Chewbacca you sure are mean to the Ewoks. Shit like thinking feeding the animals is OK is part of what a lot of people here hate about tourists.
July 21Jul 21 1 hour ago, Chewbacca said: It's not something you should ever do. I don't give a shit if they sell seeds for it or not. 1 hour ago, Chewbacca said: How about you just don't do it anywhere? Fuckin a, people. It's not hard. Why you hate me Chewie?
July 21Jul 21 2 minutes ago, crash_davis said: Why you hate me Chewie? Oh, let's just pick a few wildflowers. There are so many it doesn't really matter, right?
July 21Jul 21 Just now, Chewbacca said: Oh, let's just pick a few wildflowers. There are so many it doesn't really matter, right?
July 22Jul 22 18 hours ago, Chewbacca said: Oh, let's just pick a few wildflowers. There are so many it doesn't really matter, right? I'm hoping bringing our young kids will discourage the SIL from taking her dogs off leash on any hikes we do in CB next week. "Oh, there are hardly any people out on these trails!" Yea, but you're previous bulldogs getting porcupined to the face multiple times isn't great for the dogs or the wildlife.
July 22Jul 22 On 7/7/2025 at 10:24 PM, Damor said: @mdmost I think I said it in the college thread, but did the same with Mines/CU/CSU with my younger one. Headed back to revisit in October. Hard to argue against spending your college years up there. Or to argue with following your kids up there... Hi34
July 22Jul 22 @Beau Vine, don't think there hasn't been an unsent PM in my drafts with your name on it for a long time now. But thanks, now when I hit send it won't look like I'm stalking.
July 25Jul 25 On 7/21/2025 at 1:08 PM, Chewbacca said: Shit like thinking feeding the animals is OK is part of what a lot of people here hate about tourists. We’re Texans we do whatever the fuck we want!!!
July 25Jul 25 Almost out of Texas, Colorado Springs tonight and Pikes Peak Train tomorrow. Got the next to the conductor seat that’s supposed to be the best view. Anyone got restaurant recommendations around Colorado Springs? Edited July 25Jul 25 by Hook1997
July 25Jul 25 59 minutes ago, Hook1997 said: Almost out of Texas, Colorado Springs tonight and Pikes Peak Train tomorrow. Got the next to the conductor seat that’s supposed to be the best view. Anyone got restaurant recommendations around Colorado Springs? Be prepared to be underwhelmed on the Pikes Peak train. That's a day of my life I'd like to have back. Good donuts up at the top, though.
July 25Jul 25 1 hour ago, Hook1997 said: Almost out of Texas, Colorado Springs tonight and Pikes Peak Train tomorrow. Got the next to the conductor seat that’s supposed to be the best view. Anyone got restaurant recommendations around Colorado Springs? 4 or so years ago we ate at Dat's Italian, between Manitou and CS. Silly name but good food. Also check out the arcade in Manitou Springs. It's 4 or 5 buildings full of arcade games, some that might date back to the 40's.
July 25Jul 25 1 hour ago, Hook1997 said: Almost out of Texas, Colorado Springs tonight and Pikes Peak Train tomorrow. Got the next to the conductor seat that’s supposed to be the best view. Anyone got restaurant recommendations around Colorado Springs? For Breakfast Kings Chef or Denver Biscuit. 420 Slice and Fat Sulleys have good pizza. Pretty authentic German food at this little dive called Uwe's. PigLatin Cocina is pretty good along with tons of local breweries. Also forgot Rabbit Hole for fancy dinner. Good burgers at Skirted Heifer Edited July 25Jul 25 by mbtex
July 25Jul 25 17 minutes ago, mbtex said: For Breakfast Kings Chef or Denver Biscuit. 420 Slice and Fat Sulleys have good pizza. Pretty authentic German food at this little dive called Uwe's. PigLatin Cocina is pretty good along with tons of local breweries. Also forgot Rabbit Hole for fancy dinner. Good burgers at Skirted Heifer Yes! Thank you for reminding me about Denver Biscuit. I wanted to eat there last time I was in Denver but didn’t have time. 27 minutes ago, Crapinon said: 4 or so years ago we ate at Dat's Italian, between Manitou and CS. Silly name but good food. Also check out the arcade in Manitou Springs. It's 4 or 5 buildings full of arcade games, some that might date back to the 40's. Definitely going to have to checkout that arcade. 37 minutes ago, Chewbacca said: Be prepared to be underwhelmed on the Pikes Peak train. That's a day of my life I'd like to have back. Good donuts up at the top, though. I figured it would be something chill while I get acclimated to the altitude before I start hiking.
July 25Jul 25 We liked to Hike at Palmer Park not nearly as crowded as most spots. Denver Biscuit and Fat Sulleys are in the same building I believe they just change menus after a certain time located on Tejon Street downtown.
July 26Jul 26 Just made it to the Springs ourselves. Royal Gorge train with grandpa and the little ones tomorrow, then off to Crested Butte. We brought the heat with us, but 94 degrees with 12% humidity ain't shit.
July 26Jul 26 In Aspen for a couple weeks on way back from Montana. Just got in. Son and I hiked up to Ute Rock. Been working on fitness and made it up in 29 minutes. About 15 minutes faster than last summer. Son still beat me up. But not by much at all. Town isn’t nearly as crowded as it has been since Covid. My rental is cheaper than it was the last few years. Not pre Covid pricing though. From top of Ute Rock. Going to hike up to top of Ajax tomorrow and ride Gondola down. Going to hike to Crested Butte when one of my buddies gets in town next week. Photo from Ute Rock overlooking town. Another from Ute Rock to mountain summit.
July 27Jul 27 On 7/25/2025 at 1:43 PM, mbtex said: Also forgot Rabbit Hole for fancy dinner. Update the rest later but 5 stars for this suggestion. Perfect quirky place with good wine after a long day. So for everyone else it’s just a door then you down to a basement, evidently it use to be a morgue. Decor is perfect and the Rabbit meatloaf and brussel sprouts were great. Edited July 27Jul 27 by Hook1997
July 27Jul 27 Even in summer, that drive through monarch pass was a little white knuckle. Can’t even imagine the winter But the views along Blue Mesa Reservoir was gorgeous
July 27Jul 27 Hiked Ute trail to top of Ajax. 3100 feet of elevation gain in about 2.7 miles. It got the blood pumping. Took me 95 minutes.
July 28Jul 28 And I can cross Million Dollar Highway off my bucket list. At least once my knuckles unclench from the steering wheel
July 28Jul 28 On 7/26/2025 at 11:01 PM, Hook1997 said: Update the rest later but 5 stars for this suggestion. Perfect quirky place with good wine after a long day. So for everyone else it’s just a door then you down to a basement, evidently it use to be a morgue. Decor is perfect and the Rabbit meatloaf and brussel sprouts were great. This is what we had at the Rabbit Hole
July 28Jul 28 Hiked up to Emerald and Dream Lake yesterday evening. While sitting at Dream lake while it got dark evidently a bear was there right on the trail according to a lady waiting for her husband in the parking lot when I got down. I heard something not human when leaving but didn’t see anything with my headlamp. Edited July 28Jul 28 by Hook1997
July 28Jul 28 Good timing - crowds look meaningfully thinned out at Bear Lake Rd late in the day. And you probably had the trail to Emerald Lake to yourself
July 28Jul 28 3 minutes ago, 6th Street said: Good timing - crowds look meaningfully thinned out at Bear Lake Rd late in the day. And you probably had the trail to Emerald Lake to yourself Surprisingly still a decent amount of people up there, now when I got back to the parking lot like seven cars were left. I got to town checked in and headed straight to the park and was at the gate at exactly six for Bear Lake area access. Any suggestions for a semi short hike this afternoon? Sky Pond tomorrow morning so I don’t want to go too crazy.
July 28Jul 28 12 hours ago, Js1 said: And I can cross Million Dollar Highway off my bucket list. At least once my knuckles unclench from the steering wheel It's not that bad unless you've got weather to deal with. Independence, OTOH, is sketchy as fuck. Last time I drove that I was certain one of the vans with rafts on the trailer was gonna hit me and send me off the edge.
July 28Jul 28 1 hour ago, Hook1997 said: Hiked up to Emerald and Dream Lake yesterday evening. While sitting at Dream lake while it got dark evidently a bear was there right on the trail according to a lady waiting for her husband in the parking lot when I got down. I heard something not human when leaving but didn’t see anything with my headlamp. Beautiful. My son was just there last month and had to hike through a fair bit of snow to reach Emerald Lake.
July 28Jul 28 3 hours ago, Hook1997 said: Surprisingly still a decent amount of people up there, now when I got back to the parking lot like seven cars were left. I got to town checked in and headed straight to the park and was at the gate at exactly six for Bear Lake area access. Any suggestions for a semi short hike this afternoon? Sky Pond tomorrow morning so I don’t want to go too crazy. You should check out the north part of the park. Enter thru the Fall River entrance and go hike around Alluvial Fan, look for moose at Sheep Lake, and eventually make your way to Trail Ridge Rd if you haven't done that already
July 29Jul 29 Royal Gorge was a hit with the 3 year-old. I managed to spot a golden eagle on the ride but missed the bighorns some other people saw. Finished the night at Bristol Brewing in the old Ivywild School. Taking a piss in a kid's urinal with elementary school murals on the wall is an odd feeling. We drove Monarch into Crested Butte today, and caught their weekly summer concert series. Especially after central Texas suburbia in the summer, this place is fucking idyllic. Baby enjoyed the show. Edited July 29Jul 29 by hookem2010
July 29Jul 29 Baby woke up at 4, so we hit the trail at the base of the mountain at dusk. Once everyone else woke up and ate, we took a trail up Snodgrass. Other than not being a fan of horse shit on the trail, the 3 year-old managed to do the 1.5+ miles all on his own. Other than looking like the highest person in Colorado thanks to the dry air and early wakeup, things are going surprisingly smoothly and enjoyable with 2 little ones.
July 29Jul 29 My son and I hiked Ute up to Ajax this morning. 3100 feet and 2.8 miles in 90 minutes. Hot tub time now.
July 29Jul 29 43 minutes ago, hookem2010 said: Baby woke up at 4, so we hit the trail at the base of the mountain at dusk. Once everyone else woke up and ate, we took a trail up Snodgrass. Other than not being a fan of horse shit on the trail, the 3 year-old managed to do the 1.5+ miles all on his own. Other than looking like the highest person in Colorado thanks to the dry air and early wakeup, things are going surprisingly smoothly and enjoyable with 2 little ones. Snodgrass was my morning routine with my dog for 3 weeks earlier this summer. I was working, so I'd get up and walk with him up to the trailhead and then usually time about 30 min before I had to turn around to make it back in time for a 745am meeting. I know exactly where that picture was taken on Teddy's Loop. Things have gotten a LOT dryer in the 2 weeks we've been home. With 2 littles, I recommend driving out Slate River Rd. to Gunsight Bridge. Fun area to fart around in the water and walk around. Or get up early and drive out to the Lower Loop Trailhead as far as you can go and walk Lower Loop. Easy for little ones. Another recommendation is driving just past Gothic Townsite and hiking Judd Falls. Go early. It's quite easy, which makes it popular. But the kids will like it. If you have bikes, they may like the Skate Park over by the Nordic Center. There's an area that little kids on bikes or balance bikes would like to ride around. There's a really cool bowl that adults and my 11 and 14 year old love as well (and Dad).
July 29Jul 29 1 hour ago, hookem2010 said: Other than looking like the highest person in Colorado thanks to the dry air and early wakeup, things are going surprisingly smoothly and enjoyable with 2 little ones. I don't know what a kid would think of it but there's a product called Ayr I recommend to make breathing more comfortable at high altitude. Saline gel to put in your nose. A tube runs less than 4usd.
July 30Jul 30 I think increasing elevation 3,000 ft every day or two has done a decent job acclimating them, since we stopped in Lubbock for a night on the way out. Just fighting the dry skin and lips, or unsettling red eyes in my case. My 3 year-old told me unprompted my eyes were scary the other day. Edited July 30Jul 30 by hookem2010
July 30Jul 30 8 hours ago, hookem2010 said: I think increasing elevation 3,000 ft every day or two has done a decent job acclimating them, since we stopped in Lubbock for a night on the way out. Just fighting the dry skin and lips, or unsettling red eyes in my case. My 3 year-old told me unprompted my eyes were scary the other day. My kids favorite part is they have constant boogers they get to pick.
July 30Jul 30 We went to Lake Irwin to start the day and just hung out for a while, before making our way over to Gothic, where we hiked to Judd Falls. The toddler faceplanted on the trail almost immediately, but quickly recovered. I probably ended up carrying him half the hike while my wife had the baby in a backpack, so we're pretty beat now. I would recommend either location, particularly Lake Irwin. Trek home begins tomorrow. Shucks.
July 31Jul 31 Good shit. I'm partial to Emerald Lake over Lake Irwin, but Emerald is a bit harder to get to due to the road getting there. Irwin is definitely larger and has a bit more to offer, but the scenery and tranquility of Emerald is a happy place for me. Glad you had a good CB experience. Not sure what your timeframe is for getting home, and actually I have no idea where you live, but I prefer going back to Austin via Alamosa. You avoid Monarch Pass. But added benefit is you pass by the Great Sand Dunes. Its worth adding a day to the trip home to go. Your kids will love it. Just get up early and go before it gets too hot.
August 1Aug 1 Popular Post Leaving Estes Park today and heading to Breckenridge for a couple days then Vail for a few. Did a lot of hikes in RMNP, Sky Pond was 11 miles, slightly challenging but beautiful. Cub Lake yesterday after the extended early afternoon showers and had the trail and lake to my except for a moose and his duck friend.
August 1Aug 1 Got back yesterday from Durango - that is some beautiful scenery. Did some local hiking and paddle boarding Monday, went to Mesa Verde Tuesday (breathtaking), and then did a pretty remote hike in the San Juan National Forest on Wednesday. Felt like every meal I spent minimum $20 but worth it. Beautiful scenery, pretty town, nice people all over. Ska probably has my new favorite beer - their Salt Logger with lime. Edited August 1Aug 1 by Js1
August 3Aug 3 Hiked up to Cathedral Lake today near Aspen. Was very pretty. Hiking from Maroon Bells to Crested Butte tomorrow early.
August 5Aug 5 Gonna let y'all in on a secret... The best thing in the world is the Jamestown Mercantile Sunday brunch in the park with music: https://www.jamestownmercantile.com/
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