Avalanche Creek 2011

Thank goodness the trail stays north of the water, as it's running very high and fast this year.

Plenty of wildflowers abound, especially shooting stars.

 

The trailhead is at the end of the Avalanche Creek Road, on the east side of the USFS campground.  The road joins Highway 133 about ten miles south of Carbondale.

Avalanche Creek, in the Crystal River valley

I'm thinking I should hike up Avalanche Creek this week.  It's a great early-season hike because of its low elevation and good exposure to the sun.

The trailhead is about ten miles south of Carbondale, Colorado, and provides great access to the west side of the Snowmass-Maroon Bells wilderness area.  Hikers will find many wildflowers in the meadows and clearings.

Marble, Colorado

Marble, Colorado is an unsightly little town nestled in one of the most beautiful valleys you'll ever see.  Sandwiched between the Raggeds and Snowmass-Maroon Bells wilderness areas, and with Lead King Basin to the east, Marble is a great jumping-off point for many backcountry trips.

The Marble airstrip is quiet for all but a couple weekends a year.

Backpacking and day-hikes, horseback trips, and fishing are just a few of the many things you can do in the Crystal River valley around Marble.

Some of my favorite hikes in the area are Carbonate Creek, North Lost Creek, Geneva Lake, and Yule Creek.  Backpackers will want to hike into Lead King Basin, where there are many campsites, and the scenery is unparalleled.

The Chair Mountain Ranch has cabins you can rent for any length of time.  Dave and Linda are great hosts, and will do all they can to ensure you have a great stay.

Marble is about twenty five miles south of Carbondale.  Take Highway 133 south to Gunnison County Road 3 (affectionately known as "the Marble road").

Carbondale, Colorado

Enjoying the view from Mushroom Rock

Named by national magazines as a great sports town, Carbondale, Colorado is a fantastic little town nestled in the Rocky Mountains.  It's a half hour from Aspen, and within a short drive to several wilderness areas (Snowmass-Maroon Bells, Raggeds, Holy Cross, Flattops, Hunter-Frying Pan).  Many miles of bike paths; rivers that are great for fishing, kayaking, and rafting; plenty of horseback riding opportunities; nearby trails for hiking and mountain biking; and great restaurants, art galleries, and entertainment venues all make Carbondale a favorite for locals and visitors.

Carbondale is about a dozen miles south of I-70 on Highway 82.  Use the east exit in Glenwood Springs.  It's also about a half hour from Aspen, if you're inclined to visit there.

Mormon Lake in the Holy Cross Wilderness Area

The hike to Lyle and Mormon lakes is one of our favorites.  Previously we did it as a day hike, but this time we camped at Lyle Lake, allowing us to photograph both lakes in the morning.

Lyle and Mormon lakes are in the Holy Cross Wilderness Area of Colorado.  The trailhead is on the road to Hagerman Pass, in the Fryingpan River valley.

Camping Cuisine

Of all the aspects of camping, none has more variety of preferences than food.  I've seen some guys, in an effort to keep their packs light, carry just enough food to sustain them for the duration of the trip.  Others ignore the weight in order to "dine in style" on the trail.  Some opt for convenience, while others are willing to actually cook (and clean up from) a meal.  This shouldn't be surprising, as food tastes in homes and restaurants vary widely. 

What you do, therefore, will depend on your own preferences.  I'll let you know what I've done in the past, and offer considerations and options for your trips.  First of all, weight is important.  The longer your trip (both in days and miles), the more you'll appreciate keeping your pack weight in a reasonable range.  Advances in camping equipment technology and design have made available some really fantastic products, such as lightweight stoves and water filters, so you can focus on the food itself when managing how much space and weight are used for meals.

Since water availability is a prime consideration in choosing camping spots, dry and dried foods are a great way of travelling light.  Fresh fruit and vegetables (e.g. apples and carrots) should be eaten early in the trip, as they have a lot of water, and often suffer from too much jostling in your pack.  High energy foods, like peanut butter, provide a lot of calories and satisfaction in a small package.

For breakfast, some options include instant oatmeal with dried fruit, granola and milk (lowfat milk, in powder form is good for both cereal and your coffee), or even breakfast bars for maximum convenience.

While we've set up the stove and made ramen noodle soup for lunch, we usually opt for a cold meal.  Crackers or a dense bread travel well.  Top them with peanut butter, cheese, salami, or even hummous (some good mixes are available).  Adding fruit, fresh or dried, to the meal makes it complete.

For dinner, we always enjoy the new dehydrated meals.  Unlike their early predessors, these have good flavor and  decent textures.  Most need no cooking, and can be rehydrated right in the bag, making clean up very easy.  Because of the convenience of these meals, products like the JetBoil, an integrated stove and pot combination designed for the sole purpose of bringing two cups of water to a boil, are increasingly popular.  Adding hot water to dried fruit mix creates a tasty dessert much like fruit compote.  Hot drinks, like tea and cider, complete your evening meal.