Alison
Hooligan in search of Hoodoos
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2012
- Messages
- 110
How about we cool this section down with a trip report about snowshoeing in the Rockies since everyone else is posting desert trips, 
. This past weekend Chere, myself, Erin, Kamlyn, Janet and Kristin all snowshoed/hiked up to the Fritz Cabin in the Benedict section of The 10th Mountain Hut Division in Aspen, Colorado. http://www.huts.org/ These plans were made back in December when we weren't sure what the Spring conditions would be. Typical Colorado above 9000 feet elevation would still have quite a bit of snow, most years that is. Well this year was totally different and we experienced mud, slush and mashed potato like snow on our adventure but it didn't stop us from going. It feels like SUMMER outside as I type this today. Anyhow, after waking up at 4:30 am and driving up to Aspen (45 minutes) to meet up with the others, we were on the Hunter Creek trailhead by 7:24 am with 30 lbs on our backs- mostly booze, food, bacon and 2 parents (yes 2 parents-Brenda and Bruce). I was the only seasoned hut tripper in the group, but I have to say after all the grunting, sweating, stripping down of winter clothing, dealing with crappy snow and cussing, we all single filed into the hut, one by one around 3 that afternoon and these girls ROCKED IT! Let me add that we gained over 3000 vertical in 6 miles so it's a bit of a haul and especially in unfavorable conditions. Once up at the hut, we enjoyed the 5 star amenities of the hut (it is Aspen after all) with choosing our bed, starting a fire, shoveling snow for water and figuring out a crazy propane stove. We enjoyed margarita popsicles on the deck, beauty on the deck, yoga on the deck, napping on the deck, chilling on the deck and yea, we did a whole lot of nothing. The next day, after hot chocolate and peppermint schnapps for breakfast, Janet and I took a hike to work off some of the lactic acid build up in our exhausted muscles while the others obsessed over a puzzle and some napped. Personally, I intended to help Kamlyn out by hiking around to find a beautiful spot to spread Brenda and Bruce, her parent's ashes. Backing up a bit, she lost both her mother and father within a years time so she thought this would be an appropriate trip to have a sweet memorial in the mountains. And voila! We found a cozy little corner on Warren lakes, near an old cattle herding cabin and a view of The Collegiate Peaks. So we scampered (stumbled-thanks to Schnapps at 10 am) back to tell Kam about this spot and she was ecstatic. We all planned to go back down to this spot at sunset and show Brenda and Bruce their new home. At sunset, Chere was excited to play with her new camera and the rest of us ready for a hike to watch the sunset and all of us there to support Kam, we headed on down the hill. The sunset was amazing, great photos were taken, the memorial was touching and the booze was flowing. Good times! We all filed back up (stumbled) to the hut as the twilight setand Chere and I decided to do a few fun night photos. Erin and the girls started a fire down in the fire pit. We had our last good night, drinking, taking photos, doing puzzles, listening to good tunes and me being paranoid of the Yeti outside my window. I hope Chere posts some pics because she got some good ones. So enjoy!
Featured image for slideshow:
. This past weekend Chere, myself, Erin, Kamlyn, Janet and Kristin all snowshoed/hiked up to the Fritz Cabin in the Benedict section of The 10th Mountain Hut Division in Aspen, Colorado. http://www.huts.org/ These plans were made back in December when we weren't sure what the Spring conditions would be. Typical Colorado above 9000 feet elevation would still have quite a bit of snow, most years that is. Well this year was totally different and we experienced mud, slush and mashed potato like snow on our adventure but it didn't stop us from going. It feels like SUMMER outside as I type this today. Anyhow, after waking up at 4:30 am and driving up to Aspen (45 minutes) to meet up with the others, we were on the Hunter Creek trailhead by 7:24 am with 30 lbs on our backs- mostly booze, food, bacon and 2 parents (yes 2 parents-Brenda and Bruce). I was the only seasoned hut tripper in the group, but I have to say after all the grunting, sweating, stripping down of winter clothing, dealing with crappy snow and cussing, we all single filed into the hut, one by one around 3 that afternoon and these girls ROCKED IT! Let me add that we gained over 3000 vertical in 6 miles so it's a bit of a haul and especially in unfavorable conditions. Once up at the hut, we enjoyed the 5 star amenities of the hut (it is Aspen after all) with choosing our bed, starting a fire, shoveling snow for water and figuring out a crazy propane stove. We enjoyed margarita popsicles on the deck, beauty on the deck, yoga on the deck, napping on the deck, chilling on the deck and yea, we did a whole lot of nothing. The next day, after hot chocolate and peppermint schnapps for breakfast, Janet and I took a hike to work off some of the lactic acid build up in our exhausted muscles while the others obsessed over a puzzle and some napped. Personally, I intended to help Kamlyn out by hiking around to find a beautiful spot to spread Brenda and Bruce, her parent's ashes. Backing up a bit, she lost both her mother and father within a years time so she thought this would be an appropriate trip to have a sweet memorial in the mountains. And voila! We found a cozy little corner on Warren lakes, near an old cattle herding cabin and a view of The Collegiate Peaks. So we scampered (stumbled-thanks to Schnapps at 10 am) back to tell Kam about this spot and she was ecstatic. We all planned to go back down to this spot at sunset and show Brenda and Bruce their new home. At sunset, Chere was excited to play with her new camera and the rest of us ready for a hike to watch the sunset and all of us there to support Kam, we headed on down the hill. The sunset was amazing, great photos were taken, the memorial was touching and the booze was flowing. Good times! We all filed back up (stumbled) to the hut as the twilight setand Chere and I decided to do a few fun night photos. Erin and the girls started a fire down in the fire pit. We had our last good night, drinking, taking photos, doing puzzles, listening to good tunes and me being paranoid of the Yeti outside my window. I hope Chere posts some pics because she got some good ones. So enjoy!Featured image for slideshow:
it hides the mommy tummy! Sweet!!!! 
