It was a tough hike, and this is one tough bunch of kids!
The views were gorgeous, the pine forests delightful, but the trail was tough - and LONG! almost 11 miles round trip! that's a very long hike!
Just at the moment that spirits were lowest and the lake seemed farthest we rounded a corner to a patch of snow, then another, and another. It provided a burst of much needed energy and excitement!
and the lake did not disappoint.
We picnicked, and rested, and dipped our toes in the freezing cold waters. Matt and Andy went "swimming"! Brrr!
And then back down the mountain, down, down, down.
It was a bit crazy long. We might not have attempted it if we had been more aware of how tough it was going to be. But I don't think any of us regret it! The feeling of accomplishment and the camaraderie amongst the group was priceless.
[Matt carried Luke on his shoulders a bit, and even JP for shorter stretches, but those little guys trudged a lot of miles on their own two feet!]
We got back to the ranch in time to throw some food in the cooler for a picnic with our hosts. They had invited us to go see an old stagecoach road, and dugout house on part of their land.
And when the ranch covers 25 square miles, it can be a bit of a trip to get to the picnic destination :) John drove the farm truck with riders on hay bales sitting on the back, and Matt drove the 4 wheeler, and Andy drove a tractor too (because John needed it to do a bit of work about 2/3 of the way to our destination).
The history is fascinating to see with your own eyes! The stagecoach road, the dugout house - incredible!
I'm not sure we could have had a fuller day. John and Matt and Andy took turns letting kids ride in the tractor, on the 4 wheeler, and helping "drive" the farm truck. We drove back down the mountain watching a crazy beautiful lightning storm over the Sangre de Cristo range. (a little scary, but mostly thrilling)
and then we went to sleep! whew!
1 comment:
What an adventure! Memories were made on that hike for sure!
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