Grey Rock

Heather and I decided to brave the weather (it snowed about 6 inches last week) and try to do the Grey Rock hike up the Poudre Canyon. It was a nice temperature, however, the wind was blowing throughout (fiercely at times). I remembered the hiking poles this time and they really came in handy since there was so much snow still on the trail. Luckily for us someone had broken trail the day before so if we stepped in their footprints it wasn't too difficult. It would have been nice to have our snow boots on since both of our feet were sopping wet and rather cold by the end. This was due in part to trying to go up Grey Rock and running into 1-1.5' snow drifts. We finally gave up and decided that we had done enough and we will come back later this spring and finish when the weather is more accommodating. I do think our moving and stopping times are different because the GPS went out for about .5 mile.

Hike: Grey Rock
Trails Used: We did the loop, western trail first to the bench and then down the trail by the river
Distance: 6.63 Miles
Difficulty: More Difficult
Moving average: 2.1 mph
Overall average: 1.5 mph
Moving Time: 2 hrs, 53 min
Stopped Time: 1 hr, 12 min
Total Ascent: 1744 ft.
Maximum elevation: 7082 ft.

Horsetooth Mountain Park

I went on a nice hike today. Maybe I should say snow hike since I was walking through anywhere from 2" of the fluffy white stuff to 1' of the fluffy white stuff. It was a cool (12 degrees) morning that warmed up quickly (34 degrees) w/ brilliant blue skies! (What I would call a 'Colorado Morning') Icicles were hanging off the rocks and started to melt and break off (a musical symphony) throughout the hike. I broke trail for the first 5 miles and then it got considerably easier as I reached the more traveled and downhill part. I took a ton of pictures (couldn't help my self, it was SO pretty) so that slowed my time down. I think I only actually stopped once to catch my breath. I wasn't planning on taking Stout Trail but I was looking down the whole time (the footing wasn't great since you couldn't see underneath the snow) so I missed the Spring Creek Trail and somehow hooked up w/ Stout Trail. I had beautiful views of Longs Peak, the Front Range, and Horsetooth Rock and Reservoir. If I had been 45 min-1 hr later I would have even better view of Horsetooth Falls. I waited for the sun to come around and shine on them but it was taking too long and I'd already taken a lot of pictures by then. For my next hike I need to remember my hiking poles! I don't know why I keep forgetting them. With the footing so sketchy this time of year they would be very helpful!

Hike: Horsetooth Mountain Park
Trails Used: Horsetooth Falls Trail, cut to Stout Trail, Herrington Trail, Spring Creek Trail, Watham Trail, Westridge Trail, Horsetooth Rock Trail back to the bottom
Distance: 7.15 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate to More Difficult (due to the snow)
Moving average: 2.4 mph
Overall average: 1.9 mph
Moving Time: 2 hrs, 57 min
Stopped Time: 52 min, 47 sec
Total Ascent: 1573 ft.
Maximum elevation: 6923 ft.

Horsetooth Falls

View of Long's Peak

Horsetooth Reservoir

Horsetooth Rock