JEN Black Canyon, Great Sand Dunes, and Rocky Mountain NPs

11-14 July 2017

Made this trip on my own. It was awesome. Loved these Colorado parks.

Such a cool canyon. I hiked the oak flat loop and then hit the viewpoints. I slept in the car because it rained. Good breakfast and then off to get an oil change and more power steering fluid (it was very loud around turns) which is why I didn’t stay to see more of the overlooks and listen to the geology talk. Got a new cap in Montrose and then off to the dunes.

They are huge! I hiked and hiked but didn’t reach the top. It was so windy up there. Major exfoliation event all over my body. When I took my hair down and shook it out a couple of days later, I coated the seat of my car. But at least then I had some sand for my collection. :). I slept in the car again because of rain but this time I put the cot in there. Surprisingly comfortable. 🙂

I stopped in Denver to have lunch with Dave (great to see him again even briefly) and then on to Rocky Mountain. First hike was up to The Pool and Fern Falls. Finished right as the sun was setting. 🙂

Here’s my beautiful campsite (Morraine Park). Never did see the bear that frequents the area. 🙂

Next morning I hiked up to Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lakes and then stopped at Bear Lake at the bottom. It was early morning and some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen.