Rock and Trail Tales

With bad weather in western Colorado, I stayed a little closer to home. And I found myself on the periphery of the second highest elevation tornado ever recorded in the U.S.. After a lot of disappointment in the scenery and downright anger at the trail conditions on the slopes of Mt. Evans, the weather, too, conspired to mess up my weekend.

As my wife stays on with her cousins in Holland, I get out for some mid-week trail fun. In just 13 hours on the trail (with 8 in camp!), I get in a really fun overnight to Arapaho Lake, over a rugged divide, and into the Crater Lakes Basin in James Peak Wilderness.

Arthur's Seat and Ben Nevis were just appetizers. My wife and I found a delicious main course in the Isle of Skye. Our first full day is a hike from Loch Coruisk to Sligachan, crossing the Black Cuilin and walking along beside the Red Cuilin. The next morning, we say hello to the Old Man of Storr and his spire-like friends, all presiding over a land of lakes and bays.

Wow. Scotland. Just wow. My wife and I spent a week in Scotland in July, and we were struck blithering (and compulsively photographing) by the green glens, the rugged hills, the giant and ubiquitous lakes, and the near-constant, dynamic mist and cloud. Today's show takes up Arthur's Seat, Ben Nevis, and a gorge to the Lost Valley.

A little gimpy and pretty tired, I finish up a beautiful trip to the Wind Rivers.

On a long, bipolar day, I hike up a scarred drainage, pass some dozen beautiful lakes, get lost (it was the map's fault, I swear), see more pretty lakes, see the Cirque of the Towers, get marauded by bigs to such an extent that urination is impossible, climb Jackass Pass, and complete what can only be described as a pilgrimage. Check out photos on Facebook (I'm Will Levandowski). Just make sure your socks are good and tight; they will be rocked.

On a long, beautiful day, I climb over Washakie Pass (passing 5 icy lakes) and drop into a land of meadows, sunshine, mosquitoes and thigh-deep fords. The long day turns into a long night as I try to out-hike the blood suckers down a desolate, blighted, burned, but beautiful canyon to a nice campsite beside Lake Ethel.

The fruition of a dream I've held for half of my life begins today. Imagining the Wind Rivers, and especially Cirque of the Towers, for 14 years, I have never made the 7-hour trip to the remote Wyoming range. Today, it's 10 or 15 miles from the Bears Ears Trailhead to Valentine Lake, with views of the prairie, rugged spires, glaciers, and peaks. Check out photos on Facebook.

While in Boise, Idaho for a conference, I take the chance to rent a bike and enjoy the great infrastructure and community in the city. Three rides in 24 hours take me to Highland Valley Summit, out Floating Feather Road, and along the Boise River Greenbelt.

To celebrate our anniversaries (364 days apart), my wife and our two best friends (whom we introduced--insert back pat here) and I head for a long weekend in Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado. Audio included is from a hike to 11,800 foot South Zapata Lake, a windy trek up the 700 foot dunes, and a stroll to Mosca Pass. If you've never been to the Dunes, GO! Also check out photos on Facebook. Just look for me, Will Levandowski. While you're there, be my friend!

Two ends of the spectrum: after work stroll to avoid driving during rush hour, and a stormy ascent of a 14,000 foot peak. First is 4 miles or so around Skunk Canyon. Then the fun climb of 14,200' Mt. Democrat

One last trip... An 8 mile round trip along the Middle St. Vrain to Timberline Falls precedes a short walk to a fabulous, stupendous, secluded, lovely, wild campsite right on the banks of the North St. Vrain in the bottom of a remote canyon at the end of the Dry. St. Vrain trail.

Another long longed-for campsite: Hessie Falls. After some ambles and ramble in the Boulder Creek drainage, I sleep on its banks at beautiful Hessie Falls. The next morning leaves me time for a quick loop to Lost Lake in Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Memorial Day weekend, night 1 of 3! I gimp my way to a beautiful campsite along the South St. Vrain and then take a side trip to Miller Rock. The next morning, I get an early start to Ouzel Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Can I do it? With one week left, the streak is alive and well.  Tune in for the dramatic, heartbreaking, foot breaking conclusion.