way up high

Before we get started here, do yourself a favor.

Grab a pencil and paper and write this down:

Visit Colorado.

I can't believe this wonderful place is our neighboring state and we are just now getting around to spending some time together--what terrible neighbors we have been.

We left Mesa Verde (check out part 1 HERE) and headed north--up up up the mountains on a windy road with views of rocky peaks and wild forest. We spent the day around Silverton--we threw our tent up in a meadow and wandered around the wilderness dodging rain and chasing waterfalls.

The next morning we woke up to sunshine, grabbed our packs and headed to the trailhead for Ice Lake. As excited as I was to explore these mountains--I was a little nervous. I had no idea how our day would go--the hike was only 7 miles but we would top out over 12,000ft--I was curious as to how the kids would do at that elevation. (the highest we have ever hiked with them is 10,000ft). We packed extra water and snacks, rain jackets, and agreed to take it slow.

Did I say slow? Not these two. They powered up the mountain like it was no big deal. While my lungs felt heavy and crowded, they jogged and chatted away like we were at sea level. We hiked through the pines for a while--the trail moderately steep with some switchbacks. The forest then faded out to this view.....!!!

We were there July 5th--the wildflowers were just starting to open. Waterfalls poured onto the valley floor from all directions and we passed snow slowly melting on the trail.

During our final climb the kids made mention of there "being no oxygen", but they still managed to pass a few adults who had stopped to, ahem...puke their guts out.

We had hoped to make it up to Island Lake--about a half mile further than Ice Lake, but the thunderclouds were rolling in, so we quickly made our way down the mountain--we got to the car just as the first raindrops started to fall.

On top of the world! 12,300 feet!

Ice Lake Trail Details

Trailhead: out of Silverton. Take County Road 7 (off of 550) and follow it to South Mineral Campground at the end (about 4.5 miles on gravel) There is a parking lot and the trail is well marked--this is really popular hike.

Distance/Elevation: 7 miles round trip to Ice Lake with about 2400 ft of elevation gain.

Bring: extra water and fuel. You burn more at higher elevations and will me more susceptible to altitude sickness if you are dehydrated.....don't get dehydrated!

Also bring: pack a rain jacket--clouds can roll in quickly.

Note: Start early. Thunderstorms happen almost daily in the mountains and you don't want to be caught up there when a storm hits.

Shoes: I wore my Trail Runners (I wasn't sure how rocky the trail would be) but I wish I'd worn my Chacos There was a pretty big stream crossing so I had to take my shoes off (Robby just carried the kids across to save on time). The kids wore their Salomon trail runners --super awesome shoes for little hikers but the laces are ridiculous and jam up too easy. Get the shoes, replace the laces with regular tie-laces.

Lots more handy trail details: HERE

After Party: We grabbed a burger at Maggie's Kitchen in Ouray followed by ice cream at Mouse's Chocolates. (Ouray is the cutest little town and we are already itching to go back).

We loved this part of the country and feel like we only saw a fraction of it's beauty....we hope to get back soon!

Headed out for a hike? Check out my post on Trail Etiquette

while we were away...

Hello! Long time!

You've heard the saying "life is what happens while you're looking at your smartphone." It also happens when you're plugged in to the wall staring at a glowing screen. We have been so consumed in summer this year--real life--that I haven't had the desire to spend a lot of time around here in internet land....

I wanted to stop by and share a little of what we've been up to....but I hope you're also out enjoying your summer and not spending too much time indoors. If you're itching for a road trip, I have one that should be on the top of your list...

A few weeks ago, we loaded up a tent, a cooler full of food, a few tie-dyed shirts--and we hit the road. The first night was spent deep in the desert with exactly 1 bazilliongillion stars shining overhead. We woke with the sun and continued south. 

Goosenecks State Park.

We drove through the early morning heat to Monument Valley. 

Monument Valley is a 17 mile dirt loop through the park--all on reservation land (it costs $20 to get in). Hiking isn't allowed, and there are paid guided tours that take you deeper into the area, but we opted for the self tour. It is an incredible little corner of the earth, and while my feet ached to get out and explore more, the drive was beautiful and well worth it.

We passed through Four Corners Monument  (worth skipping if you want my honest opinion), found a Colorado river to play in and beat the heat, and headed to our next campsite in Mesa Verde National Park. The campground was HUGE and I expected to be camping on top of our neighbors, but we found a site in the trees and felt like we had the place to ourselves. 

oh--and no one does camp hair better than these two.

Mesa Verde is a must see place--you get to visit ancient Anasazi dwellings from the 1200s. They lived within the cliff walls because it gave them easy access to water--there are springs that come through the rocks. They farmed on top of the Mesa--scaling the walls of their homes to their crops up top. The two largest dwellings--Cliff Palace and Balcony House you take a guided tour through, and there are several other dwellings you can explore on your own. There is such a reverence and peace within the walls of these rooms. I wish I could have spent an entire day here thinking about those that lived so long ago. 

A FEW TIPS:
We wanted to pack light since we were changing campsites each day (we did stay in Mesa Verde two nights). We wanted quick meals so we could hurry out in the morning and get a quick start to our day. 

Breakfast Ideas:

-oatmeal! before you leave home mix up a big bag of oats, dried fruit, nuts, coconut, hemp and chia seeds, chocolate chips, brown sugar--the possibilities are endless. Boil some water in the morning and you have a quick and filling breakfast. If you're feeling fancy bring some almond milk to splash in.

-bagels with cream cheese and smoked salmon.

Lunch Ideas:

-whole wheat tortilla with peanut butter/honey (mix them together before you leave home to save on time/space) and dried fruit. If you're on the go at lunch time wrap these in foil and they hold up pretty well in a pack. 

-jerky, trailmix, granola bars. 

Dinner Ideas:

We love Aidell's Sausages with all the fixins!

For a suuuuuuper fast dinner when you are exhausted after a long day, it's hard to beat some "just add water" soup. I like the Dr. McDougall's brand--they are tasty and they pack up easily.
I pack a little fruit/veg in the cooler, and then we look for small farmer's markets wherever we are traveling.

helpful links:
Jetboil  so small and light to pack, and boils your water in a flash without the need of a fire.
Kind Bars real, whole food bars that taste awesome.
Larabars fruits and nuts packed into a little bar
Epic Bars--these are a recent find--I'll tell you more about them soon!
Krave Jerky the BEST jerky
Kids Camelbak  a must have. 
Kids Keens the perfect summer shoe for your kiddos
Patagonia Trucker Hats  our favorite

more road trip to come....

to keep up when I'm away from here come find me on Instagram @_sheenarae

a star valley fall

We grabbed our backpacks and jackets on friday and headed over the mountain and across the plains to visit sister in Star Valley, Wyoming. We usually visit a couple times a year--but this was my first trip there in the fall and I just fell in love. If I thought I could survive the winters......we just might have stayed.

a morning drive

a dark and cloudy fall morning. brisk air, a light breeze, and every color of the rainbow.

an afternoon walk

just a little stroll around sister's neighborhood.

an evening ride

bouncing up and down on the back of a 4-wheeler, we went UP a mountain on a dusty road and down into a valley dotted with ponds to explore. most of these were taken on the go!

wyoming winter  here

sledding here

another winter here