Thursday, November 14, 2024

CRESTED BUTTE JEEP TRIP WITH BEN (RAINY DAY DOESN'T DAMPEN OUR SPIRITS; PARADISE DIVIDE; EMERALD LAKE; JUDD FALLS; TOWN OF GOTHIC; CREATIVE & HISTORIC DISTRICT OF CRESTED BUTTE; & LUNCH AT SECRET STASH PIZZERIA) - Friday, August 23, 2024

Friday, August 23, 2024

Around 8:45 a.m., we headed toward Crested Butte to do that trail with Ben before he had to leave.




As you might notice in my pictures, it is pretty cloudy and gloomy, but that didn't dampen our spirits. Anyway, it's the adventure that counts!





We saw several cows along the road. Sometimes we had to "MOOOO ve" them or nudge them along so we could get by.






We are now seven miles from Paradise Divide.




And more cows along the road that need to be again nudged out of the way.




Lots of walking t-bone steaks for sure!




The above cow doesn't seem to want to "MOOOO ve" out of the way.


What a beauty along the side of the road in this peaceful surrounding.



Due to recent rain, the road is a little slimy.




And now we have begun our upward ascent with the trail getting narrower.


It is now beginning to sprinkle a little bit.



At around 10:30 a.m., we spotted a male deer in the lush valley area (see if you can spot him too).



And then we spotted his male buddy following right behind him.



It is raining a little harder now.



We have now arrived at Paradise Divide. It is 10:40 a.m.


Paradise Divide has an elevation of 11,250 feet. There are a couple of different ponds here at Paradise Divide.





And a big mud puddle (see above).



Through the sprinkles, we continue on.



The trail twists back and forth as we continue on.




And another mud puddle or two.








It has rained pretty hard, that the rain is streaming along the trail.








Soon we are heading down into the beautiful valley.





At 11:15 a.m., we get our first glimpse of Emerald Lake and it's beautiful blue green hues.





We decide to drive down to the base of the lake, and see if we can drive the jeep around the lake.





Even though the puddles look a little deep, Mel decides we can drive around it.



So around the Emerald Lake we go. . .








It's a beautiful and peaceful lake!



We stop for a few moments to take some pictures (shown above is our son Ben, Mel and Shirley).


Shown above is our son Ben and Shirley in front of Emerald Lake.





Shown above and below is Ben taking a couple pictures of Emerald Lake.


With all our pictures taken, we make our way back around the lake.







We continue along our journey.









We pass the Rustlers Gulch trail area.



We then meet some bicyclists as we are getting closer to Judd Falls area.









Mel decides to drive up the rough road to Judd Falls as far as we can go. Mel and Ben plan to hike to the falls from there. I did this trail last time we were here, but this time I decide to wait for them in the jeep.






On our way up to the start of the Judd Falls trailhead, we pass through a grove of Aspen trees.




Mel and Ben get out of the jeep and soon arrive at the sign for the start of the Judd Falls Trail.



The Judd Falls Trail leads through more Aspen trees and over rocks and downed trees.


Soon Ben and Mel are at Judd Falls (see below).



Judd Falls is not a huge waterfall, but it sure is pretty.





While on the trail back from Judd Falls, Ben stops to take a selfie with Mel in front of the mountain behind them.


Once back in the jeep, we head down to the little town of Gothic. Gothic is home to the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory.






Gothic has a few buildings and a visitor center.




Leaving Gothic and on our way back, we drive through an area with a lot of Aspen trees in hopes of seeing the changing of colors -- but I fear it is too early.





We are getting close to being back to Crested Butte.





It is now 1:00 p.m. and we are now back in Crested Butte.







We decide to stop in Crested Butte at the Creative District.


We poise in front of the Creative District sign.



Ben is shown in front of the Historic Business sign in Crested Butte.


Crested Butte is an eclectric sort of town - with some unique houses.


We decide to stop and get pizza for lunch at the Secret Stash Pizzeria.





I had a strawberry lava lamp non-acholic drink which was a kaleidoscope of flowing frozen fruitiness. Yummy!


We ordered the 16" Texas Biggin’ pizza to share among the three of us. This pizza had the traditional sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, Canadian bacon, onions, bell peppers, mushrooms & black olives.


It was pretty good -- we will definitely stop back again.


After lunch, we decided to walk around town for a bit.



Ben and I were on a quest to find t-shirts -- just the perfect ones!





Shown above and below are some of the older and unique houses in Crested Butte.







Mission accomplished! Shown above are the two t-shirts I found for Mel and I (mine is on the left, Mel's is on the right).


With our shopping done, we met up with Mel at the Public House.




Mel and Ben enjoyed a couple of craft beers. What a great day it turned out to be.




The jeep was a little muddy (as shown above) as we left Crested Butte and headed back to the campground at around 5:00 p.m.

Shirley & Mel

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