August 3, 2022

Kids Hike – Gem Lake – Rocky Mountain National Park

We decided to join some friends today in checking off a bucket list item of hiking Gem Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park.

We got up early piled all the kids in the car and got to the trailhead around 9 am.

The trail was not too crowded which was not surprising given it was a Tuesday. There was plenty of parking and toilets at the trailhead.

The trail is rated moderate and there is a lot of climbing on the way to the lake but the views make it worth it.

Gem Lake is gorgeous!

Unfortunately the chipmunks have been fed so much by people that they have lost all fear and are almost aggressive in begging for food. Remember to never feed wildlife, it’s not good for them no matter how cute they are!

On the way out we decided to add onto our hike to see the Twin Owl rocks.

It made for close to five miles of hiking. Cannon (at 6 years old) hiked this with no issues or complaints. Emmy (at 4) also did really really well but did get tired towards the end, I think this is the furthest she has ever hiked without having to be carried.

This hike gives me hope that Emmy will be able to hike 6 miles, mostly downhill, to see the Matterhorn in Switzerland.

Do your kids like to hike?

July 17, 2022

Wildflower Festival – Crested Butte Colorado

We woke up excited to visit Crested Butte during it’s peak wildflower season, I had seen online that Crested Butte was hosting a wildflower festival this weekend.

We started our day by driving from Gunnison to Crested Butte then up to the Peanut Lake area for a hike to see the wildflowers.

We did the Uper/lower Loop hike and loved it so much!

There were meadows full of flowers and stands of Aspen Trees.

The views were amazing.

After our hike we went into historic Crested Butte for some time at a playground.

Then on to find ice cream.

Humphry enjoyed lots of attention.

We decided to go check out the camping nearby to scout out spots for next summer.

We stumbled upon Lake Irwin and spent some time playing in the water.

We are hoping to get a \spot next July here but you need to reserve it six months in advance.

Then we drove back to Gunnison for pizza before a little climbing in our campsite.

This is one of Cannon’s favorite campsites!

Have you been in Colorado for Wildflower season? Where is your favorite place to see the flowers?

July 16, 2022

Kid Hike – Lost Lake

I woke up excited to get a run in because the unpaved road into our campsite had four tunnels.

It’s always fun to run somewhere new.

The weather was cool and perfect but running in the mountains is always humbling.

Since it’s Friday Cory had to work so we picked him up a coffee from our favorite coffee shop in Buena Vista then set off for adventure.

Humphry was with us as well and we were in search of wildflowers.

We decided on the Lost Lake trail near the top of Cottonwood Pass.

The hike was enchanting and reminded me of Austria.

There was some stream crossings, a mud bog and lots of mosquitos but it was worth it for the views.

We had lunch and enjoyed the views from Cottonwood Pass before a rainstorm blew in.

When we got down off the pass it was time to pack up Kermit and drive to Gunnison to our next campsite.

We love camping at Heartman Rocks. After a quick dinner we did a pre-bedtime hike. Summer bedtimes are an easily forgotten suggestion.

July 10, 2022

Rocky Mountain National Park – Emerald Lake

We finally made it!

After four years of wanting to take Emerald to “her lake” we got reservations and made the hike all the way up to Emerald Lake.

If you include Bear lake this is about a four mile alpine hike. All Trails calls it moderate and I would agree, both kids did really well and hiked the entire thing on their own.

We had to reserve a spot a month in advance, park in the overflow lot and ride a shuttle to the trail head, but it was worth it for this gorgeous hike.

I think Dream Lake is my favorite of all four lakes.

So proud of these kids!

Have you been to RMNP? Do you have a favorite hike?

June 22, 2022

Kids Hike – Lily Lake RMNP

One of our favorite hikes is up in Rocky Mountain National Park called Lily Lake. It’s a very easy to navigate hike with great accessibility. It’s one of my go-to trails when it’s just me and the kids because I know it’s safe and I won’t have to carry Emmy.

The main loop is just shy of a mile and can be navigated with a stroller.

Back in 2018 Cory made it around with our double stroller and a busted Achilles in a boot.

Now the kids hike on their own!

We brought lunch to enjoy while watching all the wildlife. I LOVE summer in the mountains so much.

We choose to add some elevation and distance by going up over the ridge. There are many other trails that connect to the main Lily lake trail so you can add distance if you like. You can also paddle on the lake and the kids want to bring our boards next time.

If you are in the Estes Park area we can’t recommend this trail enough! We have also visited in the fall and winter….all beautiful!

Previous years:

June 17, 2022

Kids Hike – Fountain Valley Loop Trail In Roxborough State Park

We were so excited to have our friends join us for a hike this week! Our goal has been to get out on at least one hike a week (on average) so 52 hikes for the year. I need to go back and count up how we are doing since the year is almost half over already.

We decided to do Fountain Valley Loop Trail in Roxborough State Park.

It’s about a 2.6 miles without too much elevation gain.

There are a couple overlooks you can hike to and they are well worth it.

Our kids range in age from 4 to 9 years old. They all hiked the entire way and did SO well! The hike in the rocks is so gorgeous. We also did this hike back in November and it was equally as beautiful.

In the afternoon we cooled down with a trip to the pool. Hoping these kids turn into fish by the end of the summer.

Do your kids like to hike?

May 16, 2022

Rainbow Lake Hike – Frisco

We decided that we needed some time in the mountains and it is officially hiking season! We have tried twice to complete this hike and were turned around both times. We decided on Rainbow Lake Trail in Frisco for an easy two mile hike.

The first time we got caught in a rain/hail storm in August, then the trail was icier than we expected in December and we didn’t have traction. The mountains here are always unpredictable.

This trail is so easy to get to and right outside the town of Frisco.

The sun was shining and the weather was perfect.

We love this boardwalk portion that takes you through a little wetlands, full of snow melt.

There are many bridges and fun rocks to climb. I really love this hike, it’s so good for kids.

We actually made it to the lake this time and enjoyed some time wading and making new friends.

After our hike we went down to main street in Frisco to grab some lunch.

This was about five minutes from the trailhead.

Little downtown Frisco is SO cute.

April 23, 2022

Earth Day 2022

Happy Earth Day! I hope you found a way to celebrate the earth and the beauty of nature.

Cory had to work but the kids and I got to run up to Rocky Mountain National Park. Seemed fitting since it’s national parks week.

We found Lumpy Ridge to hike since most of the trails deeper in the park are still covered in snow.

There were so manny wild flowers and bees and birds out.

Lots of stairs, a couple tumbles and a few tears but it was all worth it for the views and the time out together.

After our hike we grabbed lunch then stopped at a playground.

This season of life where the kids love to play and move their bodies is the best. Anytime I can say yes to a playground I will.

On the way home we grabbed a pie to share with Cory to make up for leaving him out of our adventure.

How did you celebrate the earth today?

March 24, 2022

SPRING BREAK ’22 | Trail Through Time

It’s almost always a good day when we wake up in our trailer.

We had about four hour drive home so we decided to get a hike in first to stretch out legs.

The Trail Through Time is right below where we camped so it was easy to do before hitting the road. There are many spots where you can stop and see real dinosaur bones along the way, touch them and learn about the dinos they came from.

This trail is always so fun, and it’s nice that dogs are allowed.

And the views are pretty good too!

Then it was time to drive home.

What is one of your favorite hikes?

February 28, 2022

A Winter Hike – Barr Lake

During the winter I always miss our sunny mountain hikes. We tried out a new to us hike around Barr Lake to see if it would fill the space missing during these winter days.

We visited Barr Lake Nature Center and trails. We were hoping to walk all the way around the lake but they had a section closed off for nesting Bald Eagles.