I'm now a mile high or so and, being a lowlander, I feel every inch of it. This morning I went to Boulder to kill some time before heading west, and I went to Chatauqua Park to get some photos of the Flatirons. After a short hike up the trail, about 1/4 mile, I was puffing hard.
Later, I went to Mt. Evans and climbed to the summit at 14,264 feet, and I thought I was going to die! OK, I actually drove up the mountain, but I climbed the last 300-400 yards up about 130 feet in elevation and the air is really thin there. At the summit area I saw a couple of raggedy bighorn sheep and a group of mountain goats. Apparently these animals are used to getting fed, because they walked right up to my car with an expectant look on their faces, and then went away in disgust when all they got was a photo.
Leaving Mt. Evans, I drove I-70 across Colorado to Grand Junction. That stretch of road has to have some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. Today was the first time I've seen Glenwood Canyon coming from the east, and you can really see how impressive it is.
Once in Grand Junction I made a quick reconnaissance of Colorado National Monument before dark. I plan to go there before heading to Moab tomorrow.
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| Boulder Flatirons |
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| Looking east towards Denver from Mt, Evans summit |
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| Raggedy Bighorn |
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| Mountain Goats |
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| Glenwood Canyon and Colorado River |
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| Fruita Canyon |
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