Mountain Monday- Rabbit Ears Peak

Rabbit Ears Peak is a must-do hike in Routt National Forest (20 minutes outside of Steamboat Springs, CO). It gains ~1,046 feet over 2.7 miles to the top and can get really busy come summertime! It also has some of the best wildflowers on any of the hiking trails in Routt County. I'd recommend doing this hike in either mid-July or August and start early (to beat the crowds) or later in the afternoon, if it isn't too hot out. It's also a pretty decent hike, so maybe not the best 'first of the season' hike. I'd recommend on planning to do this hike over 4 hours, leaving 2 hours to go out and maybe an hour and a half to get back (30 minutes up at the top). The last hike to the ears (made of volcanic rock), is really steep so don't get discouraged and know that there is loose gravel, so not the best for older/ unfit/ young children (directly before the final ascent there is a great viewpoint and I'd recommend stopping there if you're struggling). The views up at the top are incredible! This could also be a great trail running option (challenging). 

Mountain Monday- Havasupai Falls

Havasupai Falls on the Havasupai Indian Reservation is still one of my absolute favorite hiking trips of all time. It was around a 12 hour drive from Steamboat to get to the start of the hike (it is an 8 mile hike from the Hualapai Hilltop to Supai town and another 2 miles to the campground). The hike into the campground is generally all downhill and they recommend to take two days to cover the distance. We did it in one full day and arrived to the campsite around 5pm after leaving our car a little before 8am. There are also horses that I believe you can schedule to help carry your items to the town, however the town of Supai is really remote. No car traffic is able to get into or out of the town and the only accessibility is either by helicopter, horse, or hiking. It is also really important to remember that because of its remoteness, everything in the town is outrageously priced. I believe bottled water was 5 or 6 dollars! It's best to bring in all the food and necessities that you will need and I recommend planning to camp there for 4 or 5 days.

We hiked there over Labor Day weekend and the weather was hot, but it still gets pretty cool at night once the sun leaves the canyon. We only stayed two nights, which was enough to see everything but I do wish we had at least another full day to spend there.

Mooney Falls is the last Fall that you can easily get to and the hike to get down to the falls is pretty challenging. So challenging that I'm not sure if I would do it again. The ladders leading you down and up are almost completely perpendicular to the rocks and because they are close in proximity to the Falls, they are wet (makes it really slippery). We hiked down to the Falls twice (once to get to those falls) and once to go past Mooney Falls and hike the additional 2 miles to Beaver Falls.

Havasu Falls was the most spectacular and I would recommend just planning to spend a full day there. There are great caverns to explore by the Falls and the atmosphere is really peaceful. 

Beaver Falls wasn't spectacular (although ANYTHING in this area is really amazing), but I absolutely LOVED the hike to get there. Although it really is challenging to get up and down the ladders at Mooney Falls- I wouldn't recommend it unless you are in fantastic shape, have great gripping waterproof shoes, and are not afraid of heights/ close areas. You have to maneuver through many small holes and traffic is coming in both directions. It's not for the faint of heart. You can still get really great photos from above the Falls (which I really recommend).

I would highly recommend making sure you have the following items with you before making your hike:

• waterproof, durable shoes (I love my Keens)- I wore them for almost the entire hike in and out, as well as around all the waterfalls. They are amazing!
• empty waterbottles (they have water pumps there)
• swimsuit
• cash- It is expensive to travel to Supai and they didn't take credit cards when we were there in 2014. Entry fee is $50 and the campground was around $25 a night. 
• food- bring all the food you'll possibly need on the trek in AND out. Food is way too pricey to decide to purchase it once you get to town
• a really good camera (or two). you'll want to remember these experiences!
• sunscreen

Mountain Monday- Mt. Zirkel 12, 180'

Mt. Zirkel is the highest point in Routt County and to get to the top of the peak, it is a multi-day hike. I made it up to the saddle in roughly 3.5 hours, but time got the best of me and I had to turn around before making it to the peak. The hike is a roundtrip of 17.2 miles, from the standard route. I've always wanted to do this hike and stay overnight at the Slavonia Mine (the mine is now abandoned, but it does still have a few remnants in the area), which is what most do when they try for the summit attempt. The mine is also a great place to stop and eat some lunch.

The hike to the mines is challenging (but doable if you leave early), gaining several thousand feet (it evens out once you reach the red dirt trail. I did this hike in late July, but luckily most of the snow had melted off and the two river crossings were not too bad (just bring some watershoes)! 

I'd also recommend coming prepared for any type of weather, as the you don't have much service out in the Zirkel Wilderness and it can change in a matter of minutes. 

Overall, the trail is very well marked (however, don't expect to see many people once you leave Gilpin Lake), but still remember to always bring a compass and map. This hike is great once you get your hiking legs underneath you and the snow has melted (think August or early September). 

Mountain Monday- Pearl Lake

Ugh Monday hit me like a load of bricks today. We got some snow here, so no outdoor running for me this morning and tomorrow morning it's expected to be in the low teen's, so I may have to suffer through another treadmill run again (but at least i CAN run- am I right?!?). 

There's no better cure for the Monday blues than reminiscing on one of my favorite WINTER hiking/ Yurt trips to Pearl Lake State Park (it's around 30 minutes NORTH of Steamboat)! We rented the Yurt for one night in February and it was beautiful there! They have twoyurts on the lake that are available for rent year-round and we stayed really warm and cozy inside. It was so great to wake up in the morning and be able to take our snowshoes out for a little hike around the lake with our coffee. The road getting out there definitely is an AWD-type of road, but it's really well-marked and there's ample parking (either in the Winter OR Summer). 

We've done the hike around the lake (around 3 miles round trip) several times in all different seasons (definitely don't recommend going when it is muddy out), but there's something serene about the wintertime out there. Everything seems quieter and more peaceful than the bustling Summer days. 

Also having a fire outside in the winter is not something we get to experience everyday! What a treat that was...

The hike is very gentle and I would highly recommend for almost anyone of any age (you always have the option to turn around as well, so you can go out as far as you'd like!). 

What is your favorite State Park?

Ever stayed in a yurt? 

Favorite wintertime activity?

Mountain Monday- Mt. Elbert 14,440'

Hello from Maine! I knew you are waiting on the edge of your seats for my Mtn Monday post and I didn't want to let you down! Forgive me for any funky misspellings or odd format views- currently writing this post from the Newark Airport during my 3.5 hour delay (insert eye roll)!  

I wanted to share with you my first 14er that I hiked several years ago (SOLO!) because although it was the highest 14,000 foot mountain in the Rockies, it's also one of the easiest! This hike took me roughly 4.5 hours and I started it around 8am (later than I would recommend)! My skaters had a competition in Vail, so I decided to take advantage of that and drive the 1.5 hour drive from Vail to Leadville!  

The scenery almost the entire hike was stunning (I hiked it in mid-July), but it was definitely pretty crowded!  

There was still snow everywhere on the actual hike and the road out to the trailhead was pretty rocky dirt roads (I drove slow and my civic made it out there just fine).  

I would say that in-shape older children could do this hike and I'd recommend trying to score one of the campsites along the road that leads to trailhead (so you can get an early start). Also if you can swing to do it during the week, when there are less crowds, I would!! It's a great beginner 14er (it still is very challenging) and make sure to give yourself 5-6 hours to complete the full  7.6 mile round trip . 

not my dog but look how cute?!?!

Happy Hiking!​

Have you ever hiked a 14er? Have a favorite?​

Any must-do hikes for Fall that you would recommend?​

Favorite way to pass time in an airport?​