IntrepidXJ's Adventure Blog

Saturday, January 12, 2013

The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO

On Saturday we battled the frigid temperatures to visit the annual Ouray Ice Festival. We check it out last year for the first time and had a lot of fun, so we made sure to return again this year. We arrived early and spent most of the day watching the competition and the other ice climbers in the park. Even though the temperatures were colder than usual, we still had a great time. Attending the Ice Festival just might continue to become one of our annual traditions.

Snow on the mountains around Ouray.

Snow Covered by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Early Climber by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Climbing on rock in the competition.

On the Rock by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

This guy spent much of the day carving a large ice sculpture.

Cutting Ice by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Spectators watch the competition from the bridge over Box Canyon.

Spectators by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I accidentally bumped the shutter button on my camera while standing on a viewing platform watching some climbers. When I got home and was looking through my photos from the day it caught my eye because it looks kind of cool.

Accidental Pattern by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

After a few hours some light snow moved into the area.

Snowstorm by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Ice & Rock by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

This was a busy wall.

Busy Wall by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

This competitor is getting close to the top but came up a little short. We actually never saw anyone make it to the top while we were watching.

Hanging Out by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Hanging Ice by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

On the Ice by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Ice & Climber by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Icicles by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Ice Wall by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Step Up by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Wall of Ice by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Two Ice Climbers by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Before leaving the Ice Festival I took a ride on the zip line that was setup over the canyon. Then we drove to the other side of town so I could hike to the frozen Cascade Falls. I climbed up to the fall and was able to get behind the ice.

Cascade Falls by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The view over Ouray from Cascade Falls.

Small Break by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

>> Ouray Ice Festival 2013 Photo Gallery

Sunday, December 30, 2012

The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO

This is it! My final trip report from 2012. I sure hope 2013 is at least as good to me as 2012 was.

For my final trip of the year I had the urge to get out snowshoeing again, except I didn’t want to just head up onto the Grand Mesa again. I wanted to try somewhere new that still wasn’t too far away from home. I realized that I hadn’t made it to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park all year and I know they have some snowshoe trails near the Visitor’s Center, so I thought it would be a great place to check out.

I left my house bright and early and arrived at the park well before sunrise. Let me tell you, it was cold and windy! I hiked around until I found a view into the canyon I liked and waited for the sun to come up.

Black Canyon Dawn by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The Gunnison River far below.

Gunnison River by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

When the sun broke free of the horizon, it lit up the rim of the canyon.

Black Canyon Sunrise by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Rim Light by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

When the sun hid itself behind the overcast sky, and I was too frozen to take anymore photos, I went back to my Jeep and warmed myself up for a bit before starting my snowshoe hike on the Oak Flat Trail. This trail is a 2 mile loop that descends about 400 feet and then climbs back up again. It’s in the trees for part of the loop and kind of narrow in places. There were also some steep switchbacks along the way. Since I usually snowshoe on the relatively flat Grand Mesa this route was a little different for me, and it was a lot of fun! It was a great way to get some experience on different terrain with my snowshoes.

While hiking the trail, I passed this wall covered in different colored lichen.

Lichen & Snow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

After finishing the Oak Flat loop I was still feeling good and wanted to find another trail to check out. I decided on the Rim Rock Trail that goes from the Visitor’s Center to the South Rim Campground. This trail offered some excellent views into the canyon, and as I neared the campground I also got to break some new trail in the fresh powder since no one had hiked that far yet.

Rim Rock Sign by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I liked the contrast of the colorful lichen on this boulder to the snow-covered terrain.

Boulder View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Along the Rim Rock Trail.

Rim Rock Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Looking down at my MSR Evo Tour snowshoes.

MSR by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The view over the North Rim of the Black Canyon up a drainage towards the Elk Mountains.

North Rim by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

It was a great morning and I’m looking forward to spending more time at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison in the winter months.

>> Black Canyon Snowshoeing Photo Gallery

On Saturday evening I drove up onto the Grand Mesa so I could get my first snowshoe trip of the season in. I ended up going to the Mesa Lakes area and following the route that goes past the Water Dog Reservoir. I didn’t bring my camera with me, but I did take a few photos with my iPhone that I’ll share. I only saw two other people the whole time I was out, and I made it back to my Jeep just as the sun was setting. It was a nice way to spend the evening.

Closed Road by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Three by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Tracks by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Fenceline by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

My Shadow by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Water Dog Reservoir by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Christmas Eve | Saturday, December 24, 2011

Since Amanda had to work this morning, I decided to head up on the Grand Mesa to do a little snowshoeing. I bought a new pair of snowshoes and some new poles a few months back and wanted to try them out. Since I was testing out new gear and only had a few hours I decided to head back to the West Bench Trail since I’m familiar with it.

I also only took my iPhone on this short hike instead of dragging along my DSLR, so if my photos don’t look up to my usual standards, you know why…

Here’s my new MSR Evo Tour snowshoes ready for their first hike.

New Snowshoes by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The first bridge I crossed.

Snow Bridge by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The snow wasn’t quite as high as the last time I was here. Last January the snow almost completely covered this sign.

Stop by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Another bridge and a sign pointing the way.

West Bench Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Following the trail across a dam.

On a Dam by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A typical scene along the West Bench.

Winter Wonderland by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Lone Tree by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Sitting down for a short rest.

Resting by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Snow & Trees by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Grand Mesa View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Leaving the Grand Mesa on my way back home.

Leaving Grand Mesa by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Saturday, January 8, 2011

My first official trip report of 2011. Amanda had to work in Avon today, so I headed up on the Grand Mesa to get in my first snowshoe trip of the season. There was an inversion in the Grand Valley today, so it was nice to get up above the haze and into warmer temperatures, too! When I set out I wasn’t sure which trail I was going to hit, but when I got up there I decided to head out on the West Bench Trail for a few miles and then head back. I ended up snowshoeing about 4.3 miles, which isn’t bad for my first trip of the season. It definitely was a good workout! The conditions on the Mesa were great and it was a beautiful day. Here’s a few photos from my hike…

Strapping on my snowshoes for the first time this winter

Gauge of how deep the snow is

Passing by the first reservoir

Ice on the branches

Aspens and Snow

Seeing what kind of sunburst I could get out of my S90….this was as good as it gets when stopped all the way down to f8

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