Horsetooth Mountain Park

I barely even started hiking and ran into 3 deer. An older buck, and two newbie bucks.

Hike: Horsetooth Mountain Park
Trails Used:
Distance: 7.2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Moving average: 2.8 mph
Moving Time: 2 hrs, 37 min
Total Ascent: 2175 ft.

55 Mile Bike Ride!!

I went from my house to Greeley and back on the Poudre Trail. The elevation change was only 105 ft one way! How funny! Where else could you go that far and not change elevation more. I guess that's why they call where I live the high 'plains'. What a state I live in: I was on a trail, not roads for 95% of my trip! I didn't even bring my camera...I was trying to get exercise.

Bike:Poudre Trail, Ft. Collins to Greeley and Back
Distance: 54.72 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Moving average: 13.2mph
Moving Time: 4 Hrs., 08 min
Total Ascent: 105 ft.

Lots of good hikes for July in Breckenridge

Mohawk Lakes

Beautiful hike! We didn't make it too far due to my kiddos. I did get to see one of the falls but would have loved to do all the hike in order to see the lake and views from the top. The water was roaring! This is a hike w/ a ton of old mining equipment and cabins...historical as well as scenic.
Hike: Mohawk Lakes (w/ the family)
Trails Used: Mohawk Lakes
Distance: 1.6 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Moving average: 1.0 mph
Moving Time: 1 hrs, 34 min
Total Ascent: 904 ft.

Foxy Fox!!
I know this isn't about a hike but we had the opportunity to see 4 baby fox and their mother for the entire week right outside our door. Very cool!Baldy Mountain
We hiked partway up to Baldy Mountain behind the house and saw lots of flowers, goats, and great views!

Views of Breckenridge Ski Area

Alpine Forget-Me-Not

Marsh MarigoldPrairie CinquefoilOne Headed DaisyAlpine SunflowerDwarf CloverSandwort

Purple FringeSnowball Saxifrage Sky Pilot

Hike: Baldy Mountain (not quite to the top)
Trails Used: ski hill and up, emmett load and down
Distance: 6.66 miles
Difficulty: Difficult (Steep)
Moving average: 2.2 mph
Moving Time: 3 hrs, 01 min
Total Ascent: 2170 ft.
Iowa Mill, Boreas Pass, Down to Town, Up to House
My next hike was from Boreas Pass down to town, over to Carter Park, and back up to the house. Talk about wildflowers and aspen! I ran across some old mining equipment too!

SnailsIndian Paintbrush

Oregon Grape Holly

Rocky Mountain ColumbineFlaxWild Iris
Broadleaf Arnica
Subalpine ArnicaWild GeraniumRosePotentillaCarter Park flowersLupineRed ColumbineScarlet Gilia

Hike: To Boreas Pass, Down to Town, Up the Bike Trails
Trails Used: see above
Distance: 11.06 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Moving average: 3.1 mph
Moving Time: 3 hrs, 39 min
Total Ascent: 2432 ft. (picture doesn't include from house to Iowa Mill in the beginning)

Meadow Creek
Our next hike was a new one for everyone. We drove into Frisco and hiked from one highway exit to the next. You wouldn't have known during the hike. We were far away. At times we were in 4 ft. of snow, our feet soaking wet, and were rarely on a trail. Our guide, Rusty (a 60 year old local), told us it was the most snow he's seen in July in all of his years hiking here!

Some of the many creeks/rivers we passed, crossed, or saw:
These unique columbine were near the beginning of the hike.A major obstacle to cross w/out falling in or getting wet!The only way to get down w/out falling on your face. It was fun too!These mushrooms were growing right next to the snow in the picture above. Finally, we got past all that snow.
Of course w/ all that water we saw there were wildflowers. But not as many as you might think since the ground was still cold!  Marsh MarigoldAlpine SpringbeautyThe snow was melting in unusual undulations...Three of us climbed to the top of a pass to see the view. It was well worth the effort through all the snow.Even better, we were able to slide down on our butts afterwards!
We took a break and Rusty spotted a hard to find orchid growing all by itself.  A fairy slipperPeek a boo Mr. Elk. If only my hands and camera would work faster. I might have gotten a cool picture! It's a bit like 'Where's Waldo?'.Hike:Meadow Creek
Trails Used: Meadow Creek (that's when we were actually on a trail)
Distance: 11.85 miles
Difficulty: Moderate (except for length of hike)
Moving average: 1.5 mph (oh my god was this slow)
Moving Time: 8 hrs, 09 min
Total Ascent: 3996 ft. (picture doesn't include from house to Iowa Mill in the beginning)
Other Hikes:

House to Iowa Mill, Ski Hill, True Romance, Sally Barber, up, back to House
Distance: 5.79 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Moving average: 2.3 mph
Moving Time: 2 hrs, 33 min
Total Ascent: 1295 ft.
Boreas Pass to Iowa Mill, down to House
Distance: 5.64 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Moving average: 2.8 mph
Moving Time: 2 hrs, 02 min
Total Ascent: 1411 ft. House to Iowa Mill, Ski Hill, True Romance, Sally Barber, heart attack hill, House
Distance: 5.69 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Moving average: 2.7 mph
Moving Time: 2 hrs, 05 min
Total Ascent: 1336 ft.
House to Iowa Mill, Ski Hill, House
Distance: 3.32 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Moving average: 3.5mph
Moving Time: 56 min
Total Ascent: 726 ft.