Climate: November 2012 5th-warmest for Planet Earth

Oh Boy…

Summit County Citizens Voice

During the September to November period, record highs were reported from both hemisphere, with no record cold temperatures reported anywhere

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Even without an El Niño, the globally average land and sea surface temperature was the fifth-highest on record, at 1.21 degrees above the average since record-keeping started in 1880.

Global November temperatures have been above average for 36 years in a row, and the 333d month in a row with a global temperature above the 20^th century average, according to the National Climatic Data Center, which released its monthly summary today.

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Sugarloaf Mountain 10/6/2012

What a goofy fun hike! We were just planning on taking out the jeep to play in the snow but I saw this “peak” on the map with a trail up and we thought why not?  It was snowing the whole way up and cloudy, visibility was maybe 20 feet but I heard that usually you can see for miles. No worries though we liked it because it was a new experience for us. We packed light, water and Camera stuff, it was a quick hike.  At the top we looked around for a USGS stamp but only found a gouge out of one of the rocks where we think it may have been, you’ll see in the pictures. If you are ever bumming around west of boulder you should check it out.

Start Time: Early Afternoon?      Duration:  1.12 Hours     Distance:  1.28 miles    Max Elevation: 8,909′    Gain: 462′       Difficulty: 2 out of 10   Rating: Goofy  6 out of 10

Google Map: https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=40.020779,-105.364552&spn=0.113713,0.222988&t=p&z=13

Our Alltrails.com Link: http://alltrails.com/tracks/9720-sugarloaf-mountain

Day 3 of Leg 3: Chasing Waterfalls

Day 3 of Leg 3: Chasing Waterfalls.

Independence Pass Ale (Aspen Brewing Company)

Winner! The worst part about this beer is getting your hands on it. I bought it at the grocery store in Snowmass Village then had it at the Aspen Brewing Company tap room. I have been unable to find it in Denver or the burbs. HELP! Hoppy, Smooth, Great light bitter aftertaste. easily making it into the top 10 IPA’s I’ve had. If anyone can tell me where in Denver to pick this up I will be forever grateful! For all IPA fans Try It Try It Try It!

Out of Can/Bottle: 9 out of 10        On Tap: 9 out of 10

http://aspenbrewingcompany.com/

http://aspenbrewingcompany.com/independance-pass-ipa/

Ypsilon Lake (Rocky Mountain National Park) June 2012

There are a lot of payoffs in this hike if you can handle 2 things…

1. the first 3 miles were all up hill

2. the first 3 miles were flanked by trees which left little scenery for most of the hike.

Enough about that, once you reach the lake and waterfalls you forget about the last 3 hours and melt into your surroundings. June was the perfect time of year for us to go, the weather was outstanding, it was around 45 degrees or so for our 5:15am start time and only got warmer as we hiked. We cruised through many areas that seemed primed for wildlife like Moose or Elk but we saw none. Our first payoff was Chipmunk lake 3 miles in, I wouldn’t call it a lake but… I’m not in charge of that. It was followed by what we dubbed Chipmunk Marsh. Both were very serene. It was wonderful being the only ones out there. 1 mile following was Ypsilon lake, a good sized lake framed by Ypsilon Maountain.  Panoramic views a calm wind and the warm sun beating on was great. above Ypsilon Lake were the falls from the spectacle lakes. The waterfalls were a neat place to explore and take a ton of photographs.  On the trip back down we happened upon a tiny bear cub, the first bear cub me wife and I had ever seen in the wild, he was a cute little dude about the size of a basketball. From there we went into a minor panic mode, we didn’t see momma anywhere and realized that if we can’t see her we might be between the two of them. Just because I couldn’t see her didn’t mean she couldn’t see us! He scampered along and we high Tailed it out of there. It was a rush though.

Overall a very good trip that I would recommend to anyone.

Start Time: 5:15am (June)          Duration: 6.41 hours          Distance: 8.61 miles           Elevation Gain: 2,265′       Difficulty: 4 out of 10 

Our Alltrails.com link: http://alltrails.com/tracks/ypsilon-lake-trail-rmnp-6-10-2012

Protrails.com Link:  http://protrails.com/trails/view/55/rocky_mountain_national_park/ypsilon_lake

India Pale Ale (Avery Brewing Company)

Okay, this is a tough one…   Right out of the gate it tasted great, it had what I thought was an appropriate amount of hoppiness. It had a good kind of bitterness and wasn’t too in your face. But for one reason or another it didn’t turn into a beer that I could drink more than one in a sitting. The taste just sat in the back of my throat for way too long, nothing seemed could clear the palette, even my wife’s enchiladas. I would drink this beer again though at the bar but a six pack may have not been the best idea unless I were to only drink one per day. But I welcome you too try it (who am I right?)

Cheers!

Out of Bottle/Can: 5 out of 10

Avery IPA site: http://averybrewing.com/our-ales/india-pale-ale/

New Friends and Old Friends

MoabDave

This past week has definitely been a crazy one, with it being October lots of friends and jeepers are coming into town to take advantage of the cool weather.  It all started last week when I was contacted on the Red Rock 4 Wheelers Facebook page and I was asked if I would be willing to go out with a group from Oregon and to spot them up the Hell’s Gate obstacle on the Hell’s Revenge trail.  As I’ve discussed before, this is an interesting obstacle, and being off even by a few inches can make a dramatic and potentially damaging difference.

Friday morning Misty and I in my CJ, and Tyler in his TJ met up with Paul Renninger and his group of four Jeeps.  The early part of the trail went well, and at Hell’s Gate I went up, giving Misty her first experience going up this obstacle…

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Mesa Verde National Park – October 2011

This was the 1st of 6 National Parks we visited on our 1st anniversary trip last year, Along with 7 national monuments.  It was both of our first times visiting Mesa Verde and will not be the last. I’ve always seen pictures of Cliff Palace ruins but the pictures do it no justice. It was amazing, especially with the canyon backdrop. We spent 2 days and stayed in the lodge by the visitor center, the price was great and the restaurant was great too, dinner and breakfast. This also where I had my first Great Divide Denver Pale Ale (A). 

Mesa Verde National Park website: http://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm

Far View Lodge website: http://www.visitmesaverde.com/accommodations/far-view-lodge.aspx

Colorado River To Be Stocked With Hofer Rainbows

Dale’s Pale Ale (Oskar Blues Brewery)

 

Dale’s Pale Ale is one of the best beers I have ever had the opportunity to drink. I have always been a sucker for Hoppy beers, Pale Ales, and IPA’s. This one I have had the opportunity to drink out of the can and on Tap, no difference in quality or taste, both were awesome. This Ale is good for any occasion, Watching the game, working on the car, yardwork. Or the way I prefer after a beer league hockey game or after a long day hiking.

If you ever get the chance head to Lyons, Colorado and stop at the Oskar Blues Restaurant. My wife and I are there about 2-3 times per month after our hikes. Get a pint or two of DPA and get the Green Chili Cheese Fries, you’ll thank me sometime, it’s a beautiful combination.

Out of Bottle/Can: 10 out of 10             On Tap: 10 out of 10

http://www.oskarblues.com/