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Gore Pass, Colorado
By PK | March 3, 2009
With a bright, sunny sky over our heads we left for our first excursion in awhile. I’ve been managing a c-store since mid January, doing one of my ‘flips’ as I call it, spending many of my waking hours cleaning, ordering, adding new products and waiting for the hordes of customers to flock and see my hard-earned pay as I collect their hard-earned pay.
With the sound of melting snow dripping endlessly throughout the day as the sun shined brightly we headed south of Steamboat on Hwy 131 and then along Hwy 134 to Gore Pass. Many of you will remember our camping trip, the dead zone, the colorful autumn photographs of aspens, and our many hunting trips on Gore Mountain. I think I’ve hiked every inch of the area especially during bow hunting season. It is one of our favorite ‘getaway’ spots consisting of woods, nature, wildlife, and serene peacefulness.
In the higher elevation on Gore Mountain, not much dripping was going on. But one thing was for sure, you’d better have your sunglasses on because it was starkly white, enough for your eyes to tear up just looking across the valley of snow.
Gazing across the wide expanse, my eyes locked on the Flat Tops. Many of you may remember my many articles about the Flat Tops Wilderness and my goal to hike to the top this summer. I had a small taste of the Flat Tops last summer, but Dalton assured me that I was not ready for this journey. During the long winter months, I fear that once again I may not be ready with all the inactivity that comes with being snowbound.
While many enjoyed skiing the slopes of Mt. Werner, my courage and tenacity did not carry me through to be brave enough to tackle strapping on skies and sliding down the side of a mountain. Well, okay, to be truthful after watching Dalton with his buddies as they attempted to teach him to ski, and this was just around the house, and then eyeballing his stooped over demeanor during the next week, listening to his moans and groans, just kind of kept me from going through the same consequences.
Although I did try snowshoeing and really enjoyed the outdoor activity, for me, a southerner by birth, I found just walking on ice and snow a challenge without the snowshoes. Much to Dalton’s disappointment, I did not help chop wood, build fires in the woodstove, nor did I learn how to operate the snowblower. I did learn, however, the best spot in the living room to feel the heat of the woodstove, how to bellow loudly whenever the embers burned too low for my comfort, and the best of all….the first to holler that it was snowing again.
Awww….our first winter in Steamboat!
So, now as I once again feast my eyes on the Flat Tops Wilderness, I again remember my personal challenge. As I sit here writing this article, listening to the dripping of melting snow, seeing patches of bare ground, the taste, sights, and sounds of the wilderness call to me. Soon the grass will return, the awesome wildflowers I love to photograph will spring forward as I once again stuff my bare essentials (and my vanilla iced coffee) into my backpack as I strap on my hiking boots and explore Colorado.
True…the snow may as yet not be over and this may be a good case of Spring Fever, but sure as the sun rises everyday and the moon follows, I will conquer the Flat Tops.
Until then….happy skiing for you!
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Topics: "Laugh or Cry", Colorado |
3 Responses to “Gore Pass, Colorado”
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March 4th, 2009 at 2:16 am
Yet another eye-catcher PK.
March 6th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
We just got home from Breckenridge on Wednesday. OMG what a beautiful state. I wondered why my eyes watered when I was outside. I only had altitude sickness one night and after drinking tons of water and taking aspirin, it went away. I never could get used to the sluggish feeling every time I had to take the stairs in the hotel. Did you have to get used to the altitude
March 6th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
It took me quite awhile to adjust to the altitude here, almost two weeks. But then we were running back and forth from Steamboat to Pennsylvania and back. The first time I went over Eisenhower, it really hit me.
Never had a problem with my eyes watering, although this is a very dry state with very little humidity.
Glad you enjoyed your trip. I’ve been down that way several times. It’s a little more isolated here in Steamboat. I miss all the variety of restaurants and stores, but not the hustle and bustle that comes with it.