 |
|
|
|
In July it was once again time for the annual boys camping trip. This year we decided to fully rough it with a 2 night backpacking trip deep into the backcountry of Rocky Mountain National Park in the Never Summer Mountains. We started from the Colorado River Trailhead on western side of Rocky Mountain National park and hiked in past the remants of Lu Lu City before finally reaching our destinatation at Grand Ditch Camp 3, but not before tackling the last mile of our almost 5 mile hike -- a grueling 1,000 foot climb with our packs feeling heavier by the step. On the second day we ventured along the Grand Ditch to the mouth of the Cache La Poudre River for a day of fishing and hiking. Along the way we met two gentlemen responsible for regulating the flow of water and maintenance on the Grand Ditch who hleped us out with some fishing tips and a short ride. Skip ahead to:
Day 1 - Hiking from the Colorado River Trailhead along the Colorado River, past Lulu City and up the final steep pitch to our campsite.
Day 2 - We set off along the Grand Ditch - a water management project almost 40 years in the making (the project started in 1890) to move water from the Never Summer Mountain's western watershed back over the Continental Divide to the eastern watershed for use on fhte Front Range. We hitched a ride that saved us 3 miles of walking before being dropped off at the mouth of the Cache La Poudre river which we followed eventually to the Long Draw Reservoir fishing all along the route. Of course Alan Sease schooled everyone on how to fly fish successfully. After hiking all the way back to the campsite, the kids engaged in some frisbee play and then after dinner (lacking airsoft guns), they of course engaged in a rock throwing battle.
\ Day 3 - Hiking back down and then back to civilization where we had a big lunch at the Estes Park Brewery.
|
