Linkins Lake Trail Hike

Beautiful day yesterday, hiking in the mountains near Independence Pass.  Surrounded by a couple of 14teeners, and a spattering of 13teeners, I kept waiting for Julia Andrews to come running by us, singing The Sound of Music.  Stunning.  The hike we did, called the Linkins Lake Trail, was a short one, 6/10 of a mile one way, but rated moderate because of the altitude you begin at (11,585) and at lake level you are t 12,075.  Beautiful alpine lake.  Not a glacier lake (not aqua blue) but still very pretty.

Drive up to Independence Pass on Route 82

Got to get up and over that mountain then down to trailhead right below

The hike was steep, had a number of switch backs to maneuver, and the pathway was a bit dicy in spots, but nothing we have not experienced before.  We took our time, ogled at all the wildflowers, especially the Blue Columbine, stared for long periods of time at the 2 waterfalls in front of us and kept on moving up the path.

Parked, staring up the trail (to left) runoff from snowmelt on right

See hiker on left, that's the trail we follow for a tidge

The bank of snow upper left/center - that's where the lake is

Looking up the valley to Geissler Mountain (a 13 teener)

We passed folks coming down and they said to keep going, well worth the effort.  And an adorable family with toddlers, one of them not even 3, telling us all about the lake, jabbering away.

Waterfall from Linklin Lake, center upper, where snow mass is

We thought we would pass under the waterfalls and in the end, we were on top of them, switchbacks took us to the right of the falls, we could hear them, not see them once we got above them.

Beautiful blue columbines

Path got kinda dicy, almost above waterfalls

After the hike we were 20 miles from Aspen so drove there.  My goodness, that road is very narrow in spots.  When we got into Aspen, we quickly turned around and headed back.  So so many people.  Town was swamped.  Not my idea of fun.

Finally see the lake

Mom and daughter plus dog enjoying the lake - yes, the girl is in the
FREEZING water!

Very deep lake, said good fishing in this one

On our way back down trail, lots of switchbacks

Second waterfall from Linkins Lake

We drove through the White Mountains National Forest on the way to Aspen, the Roaring Fork River which is the second largest tributary of the Colorado, rushing by us.  Colorado is a beautiful state!

Famous Aspen ski slopes, lots of people

Very narrow road but stunning scenery

Stopped at Independence Pass to look at the interpretive signs, did a quick hike around the rest area and then headed back.

White Water Rafting on the Arkansas River, Buena Vista

Do you have a bucket list of things you want to do, can't quite figure out how to do it?  I did have an item that is now checked off - white water rafting.  Years ago I saw rafting on the Colorado River, then every couple years would see it again, different areas, and told Dave I wanted to do that.  Then, we came to BV, saw offerings of rafting on the Arkansas River, found a company who said that it was 'kid friendly'.  Dave and I signed up us 5 adults (Dave, myself, Dee, Rob, and Emily) and Emily's 2 children, Cody and Imana, for this past Sunday's 1/2 day Browns Canyon Raft trip with American Adventure Expeditions.

We were to report to the tour company's premises by 12:45pm, with outfitting of wetsuits, helmets, booties, and then get a quick orientation regarding safety, then board a bus to the launch point.  We launched at Fisherman's Bend, not far from our campground.

As we enter Zoom Flume, and within seconds of capsizing

Rob and Dave in front, I am behind Rob with Cody behind me
Dee is behind Dave, can't see Imana, then Emily with Kayla at the helm

Before we got into the raft, Kayla, our guide who was also the lead guide of the 5 rafts to be launched, gave more instructions on what to do when we were on the water. Raft launched, we climbed in, and off we went.  Kayla provided history of the canyon we were floating through, what and who were living in the area at different times in history, why the Canyon became a national monument, all the time watching her other 5 rafts ahead of us, keeping us in time with our rowing.

Beginning to climb the boulder, right in front of Dave, look at Kayla's face
And Imana's and Cody's.  Rut-roh.

I have already gone in, Rob is soon to go, then Dave Dee and Kayla

As we entered our first rapid, she explained what we were to do, how to back row or forward row on her command.  We started out small rapids and eventually came to Class II/III which is pretty difficult in my mind.  And scary.  We capsized.  Into the water went all of us, including Kayla, EXCEPT Emily and Imana, Cody was on his way out and Emily caught him by the scruff of his neck and yanked him back in.  The rest of us were pushed down through the rapids, Dave and Rob were picked up by other boats, Dee and I eventually made it back to our raft.

Most of us are in, Kayla's face is amazing!

Imana wedged under Emily in boat, she reaching out to stop Cody from going in

How Emily kept that raft and the kids in, I haven't a clue.  Needless to say, after the trip was over and we processed what happened, the 5 adults all had PTSD that night, into the next day.  We were really shook up.  Cody had night terrors that night, Imana said it was a blast and lets do it again.  Of course, when you are 7, you are too young to process what could have tragically happened.  Cody understood and he was very scared the rest of the trip.

I am a good swimmer but that trip was horrible.  I had gotten my foot caught in a rock and had to pull it out (I was underwater the whole time) with both hands, losing my bootie on the right foot.  I could have drowned.  After we all got back into the boat, all 6 rafts were beached and just resting until us 6 could get ourselves under control, then we continued downstream.  And then.....

And the water was freezing, I am farthest on right

Ahead of us were 2 rafts from our group of 5, caught on a large boulder in the water, and as we came up to them, we crashed into them and forced one of the rafts to capsize, 3 of the people falling right on top of us.  That forced Rob out of the raft again, into the water.  What a day.

Other rafts coming to assist, Emily Cody and Imana are only ones in our raft

Again, we all 5 rafts regrouped, got our breath, and then about another 15 minutes later we landed at our take-out point at Hecla Junction, got into the bus and back to the original location.  I give Kayla tremendous KUDOS for keeping herself calm, took control when we first got dunked, and made sure we all were okay before heading out to finish the tour.

I can check off white water rafting.   I will never do this again, and Dave said the same.   I have since given a review of the company stressing that children under the age of 12 should not be permitted on the water.  They tragic possibliities are endless and I don't want any other family/parent to experience the trauma we went through this past Sunday.

Panning for Gold - Cache Creek

Last week we had sent an email to Emily asking her what would the kids like to do while here in Buena Vista.  From visiting ghost towns, hiking, taking a boat ride to an abandoned resort, panning for gold, white water rafting, and much more.  Number one was panning for gold, number two was white water rafting.  After they arrived early Saturday morning, Dee, Rob, Dave and I plus Emily and Cody and Imana headed north to an area called Cache Creek.  On Granite mountain.  Had to travel on a dirt road, and we climbed up over 10,000 feet in elevation and arrived at our destination.  This area is well known to newbies and to professional prospectors.  Was a big gold mine area from the late 1800s to about 1920.  Hills of stone and wash were abundant, left over from the big mining companies.  Nature has reclaimed the land and scrub trees, pines and vegetation have taken over.  Cache Creek flows down from the mountains creating a lovely serene atmosphere.

Walking through forest to find the perfect spot

Cache Creek - and it was cold!!! from snow melt

Dave with Imana and Cody discussing where to set up

Rob and Dee pan for gold (and other minerals and gems) in this area in the past and knew that this area we were going to should provide some gold flakes and if lucky, nuggets.  After arriving (we were on BLM land), we unpacked the car and truck with sluice gear, pockets, pans, shovels, and of course nourishment and drinks for us all, and off we went on a 1/2 mile hike further up into the mountain.

Rob in lead, Emily then Cody/Imana and then Dave headed to Randy's spot

Randy instructing all of us how to sift the dirt in the pan

On to the digging - Cody liked that the best

Found a nice spot where the creek flows past us, dropped our stuff and Rob saw other prospectors ahead and went to inquire what their luck was.  As it turned out, Randy and John, two prospectors they met in the same place last year, were set up and were happy to share and teach the kids how it's done.  Randy is a professional guide as well as professional prospector who brings people to the area and helps them dig for gold.  He said he had not done any tours this summer because he was helping his daughter prepare for her wedding and had other commitments.  But, he was so happy to see Rob and Dee again, and he was doubly excited to teach Imana and Cody how it's done.

Randy said - Eureka - I see gold!!!

Randy and his friend John showed us all their sluice gear

Randy with thumbs up - with Imana and Cody - there was gold in their pan!

He demonstrated where you would likely find gold in the ground, showing what to look for in color of dirt and what the surroundings look like, then how to dig it up, sift it in pans, and then to set up a sluice in the flowing creek.  The kids had a ball.  We got to Cache Creek site about 10:45 and never left until 4pm.  The kids did not want to leave, having fun digging, then sifting into buckets, then pouring the dirt into the sluice.  Randy told Rob that our visit made his day - he loves to teach people how to pan for gold, and to teach youngsters, he told Rob 'thank you - you really made my day'.  How nice! And how lucky were we to run into Randy!

Some of us resting in the shade, our sluice and buckets ready for after snack time

Hard work panning for gold!

Randy said to call him - he loves taking people out to find gold

The kids got to use Randy's sluice - a big bonus

We hiked back to the truck with a big bucket of sifted/sluiced material to further investigate back at the campground.  While I got us dinner and Dave cooked out, Rob and the kids did further sifting (called classifying) and they found not just flakes of gold, but nuggets.  Eureka!!!

By the time they were done, they had a small vial each of the gold they panned for, about $130 for each one to take home as a souvenir.  They were so happy, and us adults sure did learn a lot.  Talk about labor intensive!

Hiking and Doing in Buena Vista

Today, Monday, we collapse.  This past week has been so jammed packed with things we needed to get done, most planned, some not, in anticipation of Rob and Dee (my brother's son and his wife) and Emily, Cody, and Imana who are great niece, and great-great nephew and niece (Dave's brother's granddaughter and her children) to visit this past weekend.

Rafting company dropping off people and rafts, downtown BV

Walk bridge over Arkansas River in BV, start of trail

The unexpected chore we had to do was our car.  Seems in the middle of the night one of the taillight's running light came on.  Could not get it off so Dave took the taillight apart and disconnected it.  Good.  Then at 2am that same night, the other taillight came on.  Grrr.  Monday morning we were off to a town next to Breckenridge (79 miles one way) to get to the Jeep dealer.  Dropped off the car, got a loaner, and traveled on back.  Our way back decided to drive through Vail before heading south.  It has been 34 years since we have been in that town and has it changed!  Crowded.

And they are off, heading downstream towards Salida

Climbing up the trail, river to our right

This guy practicing his board moves, crazy

Tuesday we got the call to come back and get our car, so off we headed (after we had done some shopping in Salida which is south of us about 25 miles.  Back through Leadville (at 10,000 plus feet in altitude) and back down to Breckenridge.  Got back to the RV late afternoon.  Pooped.

Little did we know that we would be pulled out of here on our
own rafting trip the next Sunday 

Salida, downtown, at the Play Hole

Wednesday we decided to do a quick hike in town, walked the Barbara Whipple Trail which is a trail system right on the Arkansas River, follows it for some distance then various branch trails break off.  Saw some rafters come down, pretty walk. Afterward we traveled back to Salida to visit the Forest Service office and get more information plus the Colorado State Park pass since we will be here for another month or so (in various towns).  Saw rafting at their famous Play Hole, headed home after that.

Slalom course set up

This is a prelude of us on Sunday

We texted Rob and Dee if they would be interested in joining Emily, Cody and Imana on a white water rafting trip on Sunday, and of course they said they would love to do it.  Stay tuned for that blog entry - it's a doozer.

Hotdogger flipping around at the Play Hole 

Rob and Dee got into our campground late Thursday evening, had a nice visit with them and we all anticipated the arrival of the Denver folks (Emily, et al) on Saturday morning.  Lots planned for this past weekend - will do separate blog entries for Saturday and for yesterday.