Day 10 - Mohawk Lakes Hike

We hiked the Mohawk Lakes Trail in 2007 and couldn't wait to hike it again with our friends.  It is a challenging hike because of the 2,000 foot elevation gain, but worth the effort. 

Mike Terral, Steve and DeWayne Taylor on the Spruce Creek Trail, the first couple miles of our hike through dense woods.

Spruce Creek.

The next part of the hike goes sharply upward toward a series of waterfalls and we also go by mining ruins and old cabins.

Steve and I posed in what was left of one old miners cabin.

We came to another cabin that it looked as though people had been staying there.

The hiking group as we went to check out the lower falls vista.

The lower Continental Falls.

The upper Continental falls.

These were falls flowing down from Upper Mohawk Lake.  It was quite a climb from Lower to Upper Mohawk.

This is the view you get as you climb up the trail (rocky trail on the left) and you arrive at eye level with the glacier lake, Upper Mohawk Lake.  We climbed on up for a view overlooking the lake and the valley below....our highest elevation was 12,200 feet, which is above tree line.  The alpine tundra has a beauty all it's own.

There were  few wildflowers and bees at this high elevation.

Steve is eating his lunch and enjoying the view.

Upper Mohawk Lake was a beautiful emerald green and we saw fish jumping in the lake.

We had a beautiful view of Pacific Peak.

Steve and I at 12,200 ft.  This was about a 7 mile, round trip hike.  This may be our new favorite hike!

Day 9 - Potts Visit and Peaks Trail Hike

Each year that we come to Colorado we make sure we see our long-time friends, Spike and Pat Potts, who live on a ranch near Grand Lake.  This year they met us for breakfast at Sunshine Cafe.

When we got back from our very filling brunch, we went on a hike that we take every year.  The Rainbow Lake/Peaks trailhead is just behind our condos so it is quick and easy to pick up the trail.

The forest is mostly lodgepole pine is this area and the pine have been almost completely destroyed by the Japanese pine beetle.  The feel of this hike has changed over the past 4 years because of the beetle kill.

This is my favorite deep purple wildflower.

This trail will take you all the way to Breckenridge from Frisco, about 9 miles, mostly uphill that direction.  On this day we went about 3 miles out and back.

There was a great view of some of the Ten Peaks.

I love all the streams that cross the trail.

This was a good hike to burn off some calories and always a convenient trail because of the proximity to our condo complex.

Day 8 - Sunday Friends

Sunday found our group doing a variety of activities, starting with a worship and praise time at Sapphire Point.

Getting ready for our praise and worship time.  It was a very special time together worshipping the Lord.

The group after our service.

Just being silly.

After eating a lunch of delicious crepes we went to the Blue River that runs through Breckenridge.  Diane, Lanie and Sally putting their feet in the cold river water.

From Breckenridge we went over Hoosier Pass to Montgomery Falls and reservior.

It was a fun day of exploring.

29 Forever

Happy 29th birthday to our son-in-law David. 

We are thankful you are part of our family.  We love you and pray you have a special birthday.

Day 7, Part 2 Sunset at Sapphire Point

I had heard that viewing sunset at Sapphire Point was a "must see".  We went to the point at sunset to check out the claim.

This was taken back toward Breckenridge as we were on our way to the point.

The photos above show the sunset just as we arrived at the point.

The sky changed every few minutes and it was hard for me to choose just one photo to represent the sunset experience.  It was gorgeous!

The ladies posed as the sunset was waning.

Steve and I.

Diane took this as it was quickly getting dark.

We agreed that sunset at Sapphire Point is a "must see" experience!

Day 7, Part 1 - Vail to Frisco Bike Ride

Day 7 found us rising early to go to Vail pass and ride the 14 mile, mostly downhill bike trail to Frisco.

Preparing to ride.

The entire group ready for the bike trail.

Steve and I.

Some of my Bible study friends...Tina, Sally, Diane, Lanie and me.

These girls know how to have fun!

The photos above were taken at our breakfast stop in Copper Mountain.

This bike ride is a "don't miss" when vacationing in Summit County.  Steve and I have ridden this with family and friends nearly ten times now and we never tire of the ride and beauty along the bike trail.