Hello! Happy Friday! Sorry I have been MIA for while. These last two weeks of school have been crazy! Personally I think teachers conspire together to all give tests in the same exact week. Anyway, 5 tests later and I am finally getting around to posting about Josh and I’s trip to Aspen that we took back in September. It has been on my bucket list for a long time to go see the Maroon bells during their peak foliage and boy it did not disappoint!
We woke up super early on Saturday morning to drive up to Aspen, which is a three and a half hour drive from Highlands Ranch. When we arrived we walked around town, exploring the shops and wandering through the Saturday farmers market that lined the narrow streets. Of course I had to stop and get a large bag of freshly popped popcorn! We then made our way to the far west side of town where we took a gondola ride up to the top of a mountain. The views of the fall foliage as we coasted up the side of the mountain are something I will not soon forget. When we got to the top there was a large lodge, complete with a bar that overlooked the Rocky Mountains and I restaurant. Not only that, but there were tons of games to play. Josh and I considered playing corn-hole or life size chess, but eventually “settled” on Josh’s favorite, Frisbee golf. It ended up being a blast (because I won of course), and I can officially say that I have played the highest Frisbee golf course in the world! The gondola ride and activities at the top are something that the whole family can enjoy and I can already see me bringing my little ones here one day. We ended the day by watching the Alabama game at a local pub, having a picnic as the sun set, and going to bed early for our big day ahead.
On Sunday we woke up at 3:45am so we could make it to Maroon Bells before 5. The road up to Maroon Bells opens at 5am and we were told to get there before that, because the parking lot fills up almost immediately this time of year. I guess we picked the right weekend to come because the leaves were at peak color, but this meant that it was going to be crowded! Sure enough, the parking lot at 5am was already quickly filling up with tourists and photographers hoping to witness the sun come up and shine on the most photographed peaks in North America. Even in the darkness, photographers with tripods lined the shore of the lake waiting, in the cold, dark, silence, as the rest of the world slept. After waiting a couple hours, we decided to go back to the car and get a few more hours of shut eye, until the sun began to rise. We then made our way back to the shore to watch as bright red rays of sun hit the peaks and vibrant yellow Aspen leaves, reflecting off the still lake water. After awhile of just sitting and taking in the beauty of the moment we decided to start our hike. We decided to do a short trail (about 3.5 miles round-tip), to crater lake, which sits just beyond Maroon lake. Along the way there were more amazing fall foliage views. The entire experience is something I will never forget.
Leggings Vest Jacket (similiar) Boots Backpack
Although the Aspens in the Rocky Mountains have lost most of their leaves by now, I highly encourage planning a trip up to Aspen during the peak foliage sometime in your life. It is one of those bucket list, never forget, see for yourself kind of things!
If you need a little more encouragement, here is a quote by Jayvharlal Nehru…
“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. there is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.”
Sincerely,
Cara
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