Recently, I went back into the Rockies, the Colorado Rocky Mountains this time and was there attending an Adventure Travel Conference in Snowmass/Aspen. I used the time before and after to explore the mountains and overflowing rivers! Actually I started out the week with a scare; I had a real dose of adventure travel and got bucked off a horse. I love watching rodeos and cowboys (which they have plenty of in Colorado!) – but I don’t particularly like being the show. I was really lucky that I just had a few bruises and a bit of a shock, but all was good and I got on a different horse and kept going. And it’s not too bad to have a bunch of cowboys attentively looking after you either.
After some white water rafting, beer tasting, and hiking, I then took off to the high altitude to experience the wonderful Aspen Hut to Hut experience. Did you know that you can hike/ski from hut to hut all throughout the Colorado Rocky Mountains? It’s a well-kept system maintained by the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association of shared cabins in the back country.
The perfect nature getaway. Most of the huts are rustic and unplugged, however you can do them in a bare bones manner sharing space with others, or a more luxurious manner renting out the entire hut. The awesome people from Aspen Alpine Guides took us to the huts and hosted a group of us to an ultimate glamping experience complete with Chef, yoga instructor, and masseuse. Even though it was only for two days – the unplug did me good. Everyone needs to put down the phone and laptop once in a while. Instead I concentrated on finding my inner hippie, hiking, doing photography, and soaking up the nature and sounds around me.
I’m heading up, up, up. Hiking the Hanging Lake Trail today in Colorado!
It’s called Hanging Lake and it’s nestled high up in the Colorado Rockies at 7000+ ft. To enjoy this turquoise hidden gem and it’s 3 waterfalls you have to earn it. Hiking up a rocky and sometimes steep path 1000 ft you’ll feel like taking a dip when you arrive! It was a little too chilly yesterday so I spent time taking photos instead.
The sky is on fire! Sunset from our Harry Gates Hut near Lime Park. #coloradolive w 10th Mountain Huts and @aspenalpineguides
My little ‘home’ that I’ve been hiding out in for the last two days! The Harry Gates hut is part of the @10thMtnHuts hut to hut hiking system. No connections, completely unplugged, enjoying nature w @aspenalpineguides.
Colorado cowboys and mountains – a nice site! Yeehaw!
Forget afternoon naps – how about an afternoon swing?
Rule breakers.
“Gimme a yoga pose,” I say to Amanda and she quickly complies. Nothing beats the fresh Rocky Mountain air and other people doing yoga!
It’s called Aspen Colorado for a reason. During my horseback ride yesterday we rode through aspen forests that were popping with green thanks to the areas set spring.
Even though dandelions are technically a weed – they sure are purdy sometimes! Views from my horseback ride in #Snowmass yesterday!
Sherry Ott is a refugee from corporate IT who is now a long term traveler, blogger, and photographer. She’s a co-founder of Briefcasetobackpack.com, a website offering career break travel inspiration and advice.
Additionally, she runs an around the world travel blog writing about her travel and expat adventures at Ottsworld.com.com.
