During, my July trip to Rocky Mountain National Park I spent a week experiencing some of the activities and challenges the Park and its environs have to offer. I was also very fortunate to have two good friends, George and Sandy, join me for this adventure! Our trip consisted of two parts: first, we enjoyed 4 increasingly challenging hikes and second, we engaged in a bit of R&R, spent an afternoon cycling nearby, and tried our hand at fly fishing for the first time in the headwaters of the Colorado River!
Fly Fishing the Colorado
Yours truly (left) and George (right) in action!
George and I had never tried fly-fishing, and honestly, I’ve never cared for whatever fishing I’ve done in life. So, yes, this was George’s idea. However, it turned out to be a spectacular experience, one I’d recommend to you all!
We signed up for a ¾-day intro to the sport with Sasquatch Fly Fishing and were teamed up with a family of 4. We travelled by car to the trailhead for a 1-mile hike to the Colorado River. The outfitter provided waders and boots, rods and lures, and sufficient patience to demonstrate again and again how and where to cast.
Wading through the Colorado River headwaters, where it is shallow and perhaps 20 feet wide, was delightful, and the scenery was stunning. I managed to catch 3 or 4 brown trout, aka “Brownies” and was surprised by their beauty.
I’d like to say my catch was so large I had it stuffed at the taxidermist, but the above photo tethers me to the less lofty truth. It figures that George caught more than double my take, including cutthroats and “Brookies” (aka Brook Trout). I appreciated that this was a “catch & release” experience, so I can report that there were no deaths. Again, simply a spectacular experience that everyone should try!
Cycling Frisco to Breckenridge
Have I mentioned that George is a bit of a cycling nut? And, that his idea of a rest day (before the big ascent attempt of Mount Elbert – is to cycle? And since Frisco is on the way to Leadville – where we would spend the night before the big climb – how could one pass on the opportunity to rent bikes and cycle in the mountains up to Breckenridge? So, that’s what we did! We drove to Frisco, where we rented our bikes at Rebel Sports.
The ride up to Breckenridge is a very scenic, paved bike path through woods and meadows. The town of Breckenridge is quaint with many fine lunch options.
However, mother-nature decided to drop 20 degrees during lunch, and the heavens opened as we peddled back to Frisco, making for one chilly return ride. I was reminded how rapidly the weather can change in the Rockies.!
That evening, we had a terrific “last supper” at Treeline Kitchen in Leadville before our ascent of Mount Elbert and planned our next morning’s departure for 4:45 AM. Sunday brought back reality, and George and I flew back to Boston with thoughts of a trip to Glacier National Park next July wafting into mind….
RMNP is another example of the many beautiful national parks we have the opportunity to discover. Hiking, fly fishing and cycling in and around the Park are just a few of the many activities one can enjoy, and I encourage you to give them a try.
Get Out There and Carpe Diem!
Peter
Up Next: Fly Fishing and Cycling in the Rocky Mountains
