Just outside of Aspen, seated between the Roaring Fork and Crystal Rivers, is Carbondale, Colorado. John and I traveled to this quaint mountain "suburb" one weekend in April to visit some friends and cast our fly lines  in both of the town's rivers.

If you want to see more from our trip please check out our YouTube video - here!

On Friday afternoon, we drove down into the mountain valley ready to start our weekend. After we celebrated our arrival with our good friends, we called it a night in hopes of hitting the water early. Not surprisingly, I was the first to wake up, so I headed out of the apartment and started my search for a fishing spot.

I easily found a spot near town, across the water from the Days Inn, on Google Maps. My goal was to try to park near a boat ramp and explore the banks from there.   I was so excited to find that I was all alone in the parking lot when I pulled up around 7:30 a.m. I grabbed all of my gear and headed under the bridge to wade up the Roaring Fork River for the first time. ​

You can find the exact location, here. ​​

I walked in and out of trees, sandy areas, and the shallow water until I found a nice little island that created a split in the water. I knew this was the perfect place, and it had a great view of the mighty Mount Sopris.

Once some clouds rolled in, we had to call it a day and make the long journey back home to Denver. We went back by our friend's house to say goodbye. Overall, it was a tremendously successful weekend for a couple of beginner fly fishers! 

It was freezing cold out, and snow was just starting to flurry. Taking our layers off seemed like a crazy idea, so we did it quickly. We slipped into the warm water and tried to warm up as quickly as we could.  
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The water in the spring wasn’t terribly hot. It was more like bath water, but the rising steam felt great while the snow flurries whipped around our hats. ​

We had the spring to ourselves for almost an hour until a rowboat of fishers came by and decided to stop. As quickly as we took off our wet bathing suits, we toweled off and put on our warm, dry layers to give the group their privacy.  ​

On our way back from a concert series in Steamboat Springs, John, another couple, and I passed through the town of Kremmling, and I insisted we stop.  This time, we followed Google Maps which lead us to a different trailhead parking lot than I had used on my previous visit.

After navigating the rutted, difficult, and unnamed road off of Old Trough Road, we were, again, lead to a campsite at the trailhead. It brought us to the opposite side of Radium hot springs this time, and there were three different routes to choose from with no idea if any lead to the spring we wanted.

Initially, John and I stayed on the gated road, but after about a mile of walking, we checked our location and realized we had passed the spring. We retraced our steps and arrived back at the car and campsite and soon found that we had missed a sign marking the correct route down to the hot spring.

This route is much steeper until it reaches the same cliffside and makeshift campsite as the trail from last time. It was roughly a mile to the cliffside stairs, and we couldn’t wait to hop in the water and out of the sweltering summer sun. 

After the hearty meal, we decided to pack up and make our first trip to the car to drop off our heaviest gear. The hike back up is nowhere near as easy as the hike down, but we were glad to get our first load up the cliffside before soaking in the hot spring. We were hot and sweaty by the time we made it back down.

We got back down to the hot spring to find a plethora of boats parked at the spring, but no one was actually in the water. It turns out that the rain from the night before had flooded the hot spring and cooled the pool.

Unfortunately, we didn't hang out in the spring very long, but we did enjoy all of the people who were hanging out around the rocks. We soaked in the sunshine and soaked our feet until it was time to hike back out.

The nice break made the hike back up quite enjoyable, and before we knew it, we were back in the car heading home and already missing the sounds of the river and smells of the campfire.

After our tickets were scanned, we spent another 20 minutes checking out the artwork before we walked in. We spent a lot of that time checking out the walls of the lobby and hallways leading to the restrooms, water fountains, and office rooms. Finally, we wandered back toward the front and were ready to enter into the House of Eternal Return. ​

​We had read, on the pamphlets, the story of a family and their connection with the House of Eternal return. There is a mystery that you can try to piece together for an explanation of the experience. There was also an app that allows you to find all sorts of clues around the house when trying to solve the mystery.

As part of our Martin Luther King Jr. extended weekend road trip across northern New Mexico, my friend Natalie and I woke up early Sunday morning to explore The Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument.

We passed through the entrance toll booth with my national parks pass around 9 a.m. without waiting in line to our surprise. We were admitted and proceeded down the road to the parking lot. After a quick bite of breakfast from the back of my car at the trailhead, we were on the path into the canyon. ​

We then started to think more about the years of erosion that created the landscape we stood among. It is a landscape ripped and worn by wind and water. We wandered through the resulting space between each tent rock. 

The trail then took us past a cave believed to have been carved out by human hands thousands of years before, and now, we were more curious than ever about the place we were exploring.

We were only able to take the Cave Loop trail, because the Slot Canyon trail had been closed due to snowy and icy conditions. Even though we didn't get to see the entire preservation, what we saw was more than enough to stoke our curiosity. ​

One thing that never ceased to amaze us during our four days in New Mexico were the landscapes. Everywhere we went was uniquely different than the last. We went from mountains to valleys to near desert-like terrains within a couple hundred miles, and of all that diversity, the Tent Rocks was the most unique place we saw. ​

After a long day of exploring Taos and its Ski Valley area, a late night soak at Ojo Caliente Spa and Hot Spring was the perfect nightcap for the first full day of our extended weekend road trip.

​We had spent the morning snowshoeing, the afternoon visiting temples, and the evening enjoying drinks, food, and live music. You can read more about our entire trip in my New Mexico Road Trip post!

Our search took us to the indoor Soda Pool where we didn't even get in, because the pool that was supposed to be a silent reflection pool was loud and overcrowded instead.
 
We found The Lithia and Cliffside Pool next and discovered that both are pumped full of waters formulated to combat depression and aid in digestion. Both pools were just warm, so we didn't stay long in either. ​

Finally, we hustled across the chilly patio, jumped into the Arsenic Spring, and settled in for a long soak. This pool had all the qualities we had been searching for: it was hot, it wasn’t crowded, and it featured a wide open view of the sky and the stars above.
 
We enjoyed the company of an older couple and a few more visitors who were in and out during our invigorating time in the spring. We eventually learned that we only had about 45 minutes left in our spa access and decided to finish the night with a sauna session. ​

One of the highest hot springs in North America is near Aspen, Colorado. It flows from over 11,000 feet above sea level and maintains an average temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

​It is picturesquely nestled between Castle Peak and Hilliard Peak of the White River National Forest. Taylor and I spent a snowy weekend in October hiking up to and enjoying the hot, crystal clear pool. ​

The trail started much like our multi-day hike on the Thorofare Trail in Yellowstone National Park a timber debris littered valley. Many of the large trunks had been cut to unblock the trail, but broken branches and limbs were ever-present and had been covered with several inches of snow. 

We watched our steps and continued down the trail. After topping several small hills, crossing open plains, and making our way through glistening pine and aspen groves, we noticed that the precious sunlight was becoming more and more faint. ​

Four hours into our hike and after a few, “Good luck,” wishes from those returning to their cars, the valley was engulfed in darkness. During an impromptu star-gazing session, we realized that we were only halfway to our site and had a long night ahead of us.

​I followed Taylor’s red headlight as we both did our best to maintain our footing on the trail. Icy rocks hidden under snow, large fields of avalanche debris, and narrow footbridges over flowing water were all part of our risky nighttime march up the valley. ​

Most of Saturday morning was spent snoozing, but once we’d crawled out of our sleeping bags, we didn’t waste any more time. After organizing our gear, we boiled water to rehydrate oatmeal and made two cups of hot chocolate. Our insides were warmer than our outsides, but the hot spring would change that before too long. ​

The hot spring is a short, uphill walk from the group campsites. Taylor and I were sore from the day before, but it felt great to be moving without 30 pounds of gear on our backs.

As we climbed, we stopped to peer into the small canyon carved by the rushing creek. An old cabin with a collapsed roof stood along the trail and before we could float too many ideas about who built it, I spotted a tiny bit of steam rising from a stream. ​

Taylor felt the water, excitedly confirmed that it was warm, and wasted no time continuing up the trail. The steep landscape made it difficult to see what was up ahead, but rolling steam clouds soon exposed the hot spring’s location. ​​

The large infinity-style pool has a hot spot in the middle that produces a constant stream of bubbles. Taylor and I had the pool to ourselves for several hours, and we relaxed in this hottest part for most of that time. We hesitated when we decided to exit the fountain of heat, because we knew it would be the last time of the day that we’d be perfectly warm. ​

Going up the mountain was a tad bit daunting, but when we turned around, the views were worth all of it. We were able to see not only the wilderness we had just emerged from but also the surrounding mountain ranges just emerging over the tops of the trees. For the next mile or so, we walked with this incredible view at our backs as we followed the steep trail up the mountain. ​

The trail had changed drastically since we left the pines. We went from a red clay trail and warm but shady, wooded area to a wide open, windy, and scree-filled climb. This was one of  the most difficult parts of the trail. There were no switchbacks or even places to stop and catch our breath. Instead, for almost 1,000 feet of elevation gain, we had to push through and keep our heads up. ​​

When we arrived at the top of the hill we’d been hiking toward, which sadly turned out not to be the summit, we were greeted with unbelievable views. We were able to look back on all of the ground we had covered and now could see a new mountain range that had been hidden from sight.

​We were finally surrounded by mountains -- beautiful mountains, I might add. This is one of my favorite feelings in the world. There is nothing like being able to spin all the way around and see nothing but rolling mountains for miles and miles on the horizon.

We found a bit of shelter from the wind in a rocky cove facing the south, where we sat and enjoyed lunch wraps, dehydrated apples, and beef jerky. It didn’t take long for company to arrive from a different side of the mountain than we had climbed. 


Once we had gotten chilly from the wind, we packed up our picnic and were taking a few pictures when we noticed unwelcoming clouds rolling in from the north. ​

In just a little under seven hours we were able to summit three different 14,000 foot peaks. Even though we didn't finish the loop and make it to Mount Bross, we were still proud of the ground we had covered and the heights we had been able to climb.

Maybe next time we will start with Bross and get to add it to our list, but until then we are leaving these peaks in our rearview mirror while we check out some of the other 50 or so that are out there. ​

Similar Links: 
Grays Mountain and Torreys Mountain
Mount Evans
Lookout Mountain

Through steep, stone littered fields, we continued our approached to Mount Spalding during the sunrise. This preliminary summit felt like a shrine. A natural slab encircled by rock walls and towers sits atop the 13,000 foot destination. A short break and a few photos of the early morning landscape later, we were descending into the short, flat saddle between Mt. Evans and Mt. Spalding. ​

Upon ascent from the saddle, the Mount Evans trail continues to the Southern slopes of the mountain. Blustering winds welcomed us, and from here on out, the winds were constant, cutting, and cold. Large boulders did not provide cover from the wind, but climbing up them was entertaining enough to temporarily take our minds off it. 
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For a little under two miles, we maneuvered through the boulder-crowded mountainside. We stopped, at times, for descending hikers attempting to scramble down as we scrambled up. Every time we stopped, the aforementioned winds motivated us to keep moving even. The terrain made it difficult to keep track of the trail, but the occasional cairn confirmed that we were on the right path. ​

Just west of the actual summit, our group was fooled by a false summit. We realized it almost immediately but decided to stop for snacks when we noticed how fantastic the view was. As we appreciated our food and our view, a mother mountain goat investigated our presence. A curious kid followed closely as the mother kept watch of us and our dogs. As they turned to leave, we turned to make a short descent from the West Ridge and on to our final ascent. ​

The majority of our last stretch to the top was on a well-defined path that connected to the Meyer-Womble Observatory’s parking lot. The much shorter trail, understandably, was more heavily trafficked. The short system of switchbacks induced excitement as we approached the payoff.

Mount Evans’s peak provides spectacular views from underfoot to the horizon. Broken boulders balance in seemingly impossible ways and large slabs of rock protrude into the air. Our best view of Summit Lake was from the peak, and Rocky Mountain National Park is even visible on a clear day. Most impressive, gazing westward grants a view of Mount Bierstadt and the vast mountain ranges beyond it. ​

We decided to descend Mount Evans Road after learning that it is the highest paved road in North America. We eventually left it to hike north on the slopes of Mount Evans toward Bear Creek and our car.

​The gradual decline of the slopes was leisurely and filled with tiny flowers that dotted the vast field of grass and strewn stones. As we made our way around the mountainside we had the perfect opportunity to reflect on our morning journey. ​

Montana - 
Before entering the park and before losing cell service again, we looked at the park map and decided we could make it all the way through to the Mammoth Hot Spring area and stay in Bozeman, Montana. We went to Hotels.com and quickly found a cheap room for the night at the Lewis and Clark Motel in Three Forks.
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After a full day inside the National Park that started with a close encounter with a bison and ended at Mammoth Hot Springs, we started the more than 85 mile drive to our hotel. We could not have made it without a stop for dinner at the Emigrant Outpost.

It turns out that small town restaurants in Montana either completely shut down or stop serving food close to dark. We pulled into several different parking lots, but nearly everything was closed. We finally found Emigrant Outpost, outside of a town called Pray, and they were only serving fried foods, but beggars can’t be choosers. We enjoyed our wings and beers, and for the first time in almost a week, we were able to shower and lie down in an actual bed. 

Taylor and I were well prepared with the supplies listed above. She suffered several cuts, scrapes, and bruises from being swept off her feet by a rushing creek and blisters from her new hiking boots, while I suffered a punctured palm after a careless stumble. On top of these, we were both attacked by mosquitoes leaving us covered in bites.

We both used antiseptic pads for cleaning our wounds and off-brand Band-Aids to cover them up. In addition, I used elastic wrap and medical tape for securing the adhesive bandage on my palm. Taylor used moleskin to cover her blisters and insect bite relief for some of her mosquito bites. ​

Wise Company offered a very large survivor style box on Amazon that cost $70 and included 15 packets. The downside is that there were there were no breakfasts, and their nutritional facts weren’t very impressive. Also, some of the comments sold it as more of an emergency preparedness box instead of camping meals, but it still came in a close second. ​

After all of our research, Mary Jane’s Farm’s “Alone At Last” was the box we chose, and we could not have been happier. In fact, we don’t really know how any dehydrated meals could be any tastier or more filling than Mary Jane’s. Every night, we were amazed by the quality of product and the consistencies of the dishes. Nothing felt gummy or uncooked.
 
We were able to eat a meal and a soup every night, and for three nights, we had chocolate mousse for dessert! I will say that we never ate any of the meals for lunch - we each had snack bags and made tortilla roll ups with sandwich meat and cheese nearly every day for lunch. But still, at the end of the trip, we had one soup, two breakfasts, and one couscous meal left over. ​

Before we made it to Bridal Veil Falls, we stopped to check out Ingram Falls at the few points where the trail crosses over or approaches its waters. This waterfall falls over one thousand feet down into the valley. Some snow atop the fall was still frozen, and it created little ice bridges where the flowing water cut through. ​

John’s favorite part of the hike was the bottom of Bridal Veil Falls. You could feel the mist of the waterfall from a dozen yards away, and it was very refreshing after the sunny hike up. We stopped to take some pictures and helped other groups take theirs before we continued the climb to the top of the fall. ​

The Butcher and The Baker is a bakery and cafe on bustling Colorado avenue in Telluride. Taylor and I had a delicious breakfast while recovering from the day-before of exploring Telluride’s Bridal Veil Falls and dancing at The Ride Fest.

The small shop’s doors were propped open and most of its outdoor seating faced a lush, public lawn. A glass case next to the register displays several of the bakery’s creations, but nothing looked as good as the brunch menu’s descriptions. ​

The cozy lobby and welcoming receptionist were the first signs that we’d made a good choice for the night, but the balcony and bathroom heat lamp amenities sealed the deal. We both slept comfortably and woke rested.

​Complimentary coffee and banana bread was icing on the proverbial cake. Though it was a long way from Yellowstone, the Lewis and Clark Motel of Three Forks was a luxury that Taylor and I couldn’t have been more thankful for.

Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel and Restaurant in Cody, Wyoming, is a city staple and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its "contribution to the cultural foundations of America". Taylor and I stopped in for a burger after five days of backpacking through Yellowstone National Park’s Backcountry. 

Taylor and I arrived in Cody looking for a hot meal, and the Irma’s kitchen was still open late on the Fourth of July, plus the building’s rooftop railing and large sign distinguish it among its Sheridan avenue neighbors, so we walked in. ​

After an extremely incredible and eventful backpacking trip in Yellowstone National Park’s Backcountry, John and I took three days to drive around the park and see all the highlights. You can read and see all about it here!

After our first day in the car, we drove through Pray, Montana, on the way to the Lewis and Clark Motel in Three Forks, Montana. The Emigrant Outpost was the only place serving food at 9pm and we couldn’t have been more thankful.

Though they were only serving fried food, we were able to order two dozen buffalo wings and fries. A cold beer each complemented our meal while a crowd of locals laughed and drank at the bar. 

Emigrant Outpost was a life-saver for John and I. We were starving and couldn’t have been more happy sitting in front of a hot meal. It is one of the only places serving food in Pray late night, and it seemed to be the home base for a certain group of Montana natives. We weren’t in on the party, but we did get enough food to fill our bellies for the night.

​We came out and went back to the pool area to discover that the boys were already there. We joined them for a while, then both groups began to go back and fourth between the pool and caves until it was finally time to dry off and pack up.

We were all sufficiently toasty and were ready to make the rest of the drive home. We were all blissful and decided to stop at Indian Springs with every opportunity we get!