{"id":2066,"date":"2016-09-06T20:14:44","date_gmt":"2016-09-06T20:14:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/?p=2066"},"modified":"2017-04-01T03:01:18","modified_gmt":"2017-04-01T03:01:18","slug":"backpacking-with-the-boys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/2016\/09\/06\/backpacking-with-the-boys\/","title":{"rendered":"Backpacking with the boys"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When we took our little stroll on the <a href=\"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/2016\/05\/07\/at-the-at\/\">AT<\/a>\u00a0back in the Shenendoah National Park Caden asked if we&#8217;d be able to go backpacking once we were back home in CO. \u00a0I was tickled pink that <em>he<\/em> was the one asking <em>me<\/em> to go backpacking and I thought for sure we&#8217;d have plenty of time. \u00a0But after returning home the days of summer slipped away until the the next thing we knew school was in session and soccer in full swing. \u00a0However, it turned out that Labor Day weekend was wide open on our schedules and the boys lobbied hard to get a backpacking trip in. \u00a0AND, they wanted to go for more than 1 night. \u00a0Its a pretty popular weekend so there were no permits available for Rocky Mountain National Park or the Indian Peaks Wilderness. \u00a0But, the James Peak Wilderness is also right in our backyard and does not require permits so we put <a href=\"http:\/\/www.protrails.com\/trail\/103\/indian-peaks-wilderness-area-rogers-peak-lake-and-heart-lake\">Roger&#8217;s Peak Lake<\/a> in our cross hairs and set off. \u00a0I should also point out that I tried to get the boys to play hooky on Friday but Caden didn&#8217;t want to miss school or soccer&#8230;.what kind of kids am I raising?!<br \/>\n<a title=\"The beginning\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/29210984650\/in\/album-72157670269699393\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/c3.staticflickr.com\/9\/8852\/29210984650_ae208440f4_n.jpg\" alt=\"The beginning\" width=\"267\" height=\"320\" \/><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>So Saturday morning we said goodbye to the girls and drove the 90 minutes to the East Portal trail head and hit the trail at 9:45. \u00a0It was breezy but clear and it made for a really nice hike in. \u00a0I need to put a lot more weight in the boys&#8217; packs and less in mine to even us out on the trail&#8230;.they routinely had to wait for me. \u00a0As we approached the lakes the trail steepened and the thunder started. \u00a0We located a really nice spot and got the tent up just in time for the rain.<br \/>\n<a title=\"Waterfall\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/29210984090\/in\/album-72157670269699393\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/c3.staticflickr.com\/9\/8645\/29210984090_082960559e_n.jpg\" alt=\"Waterfall\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" \/><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\nWe ate lunch while we waited out the storm then took a short nap. \u00a0The storm cleared out and we decided to go explore the area a bit. \u00a0Our site was by an unnamed pond, another 50 yards away was another unnamed little lake and about 100 yards away was Roger&#8217;s Peak Lake. \u00a0This lake is the quintessential CO mountain lake&#8230;a crystal clear lake with the Continental Divide as its backdrop&#8230;it was perfect. \u00a0Taking a short walk up a steep slope above treeline you find Heart Lake which is the biggest of the bunch. \u00a0Again, the lake was picture perfect but we didn&#8217;t spend much time there as another storm seemed to be brewing so we headed back to camp stopping to fill our water bottles on the way. \u00a0It sprinkled on and off but we still had fun and even got in quite a few rounds of <a href=\"https:\/\/boardgamegeek.com\/boardgame\/129622\/love-letter\">Love Letter<\/a>.<br \/>\n<a title=\"Love Letter\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/29210983700\/in\/album-72157670269699393\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/c5.staticflickr.com\/9\/8106\/29210983700_2871e0a97c_n.jpg\" alt=\"Love Letter\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" \/><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\nA few weeks earlier Dacen and I made an ultralight backpacking stove out of a cat food can. \u00a0It is super simple and uses alcohol as fuel. \u00a0We brought it along to test out. \u00a0The thing burns super hot but its very unstable and we ended up spilling\u00a0part of our water but we recovered. \u00a0I think we&#8217;ll need to build a little pot stand for it to make it more usable. \u00a0Our dinner was interrupted by anther thunderstorm but we went out afterward to check out the lake at dusk and refill water bottles before bed time. \u00a0The tent is getting a bit small for all 3 of us but we make do and played a couple rounds of Casino and 20 questions before we crashed. \u00a0Day 1 was AWESOME!!<br \/>\n<a title=\"Ahhhhh\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/29210983470\/in\/album-72157670269699393\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/c7.staticflickr.com\/9\/8191\/29210983470_02145d9054_n.jpg\" alt=\"Ahhhhh\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" \/><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\nIt rained on and off during the night and poor Dacen had a gusher of a bloody nose during the middle of the night but we got it stopped and he ended up getting a good night sleep. \u00a0We woke up to clear skies as forecasted, ate our breakfast and set out for our attempt at James Peak. \u00a0Actually our goal was Roger&#8217;s Pass and our stretch goal was James Peak. \u00a0We stopped to get water and the clear skies quickly filled with super low clouds that engulfed the peak and the pass. \u00a0But, by the time we finished getting water the sun was peaking through so we decided to go for it. \u00a0We made the pass in about 45 minutes and found that the weather was socked in on the other side. \u00a0We waited for awhile to see if the weather would change but it seemed to get more ominous so we decided to bail and maybe try again later. \u00a0As soon as we got back to our tent the rain started so we took shelter and played a couple games of <a href=\"https:\/\/boardgamegeek.com\/boardgame\/146130\/coin-age\">Coin Age<\/a>&#8230;this is a clever game you can print out for free. \u00a0The board is the size of a credit card and the pieces are just US coins! \u00a0The blue sky returned so we ate a quick lunch and decided to make another go for the peak.<br \/>\n<a title=\"Summit of the pass\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/29465691396\/in\/album-72157670269699393\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/c5.staticflickr.com\/9\/8468\/29465691396_d2faf5c2a7_n.jpg\" alt=\"Summit of the pass\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" \/><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\nAgain we made it to the top of the pass in about 45 minutes where we took a short break and a few pictures. \u00a0The clouds seemed to be building to the west but we decided to make a go for the peak. \u00a0Its about a 1 mile traverse along the ridge before the peak&#8217;s vertical is under foot. \u00a0It took longer than I expected and the clouds kept building and moving closer. \u00a0When we got about 500 vertical feet from the summit\u00a0the weather was just getting too close for my comfort and it was 3:00 so I figured if we were able to summit we&#8217;d be getting back to camp about 5:30 or 6:00. \u00a0That&#8217;s not exactly late, but it didn&#8217;t give us much margin so we decided to celebrate our high point and turn around.<br \/>\n<a title=\"Brothers at high point\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/29210982890\/in\/album-72157670269699393\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/c3.staticflickr.com\/9\/8228\/29210982890_fedb83159e_n.jpg\" alt=\"Brothers at high point\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" \/><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\nIt was hard&#8230;.I really wanted to get the boys to the top but as we started back the thunder kicked in and it just seemed too dicey. \u00a0However, 15 minutes later the weather took a 90 degree turn and headed due north up the valley toward Grand Lake and James Peak was in clear blue sky. \u00a0Oh well&#8230;we definitely had a blast including getting snowed\/hailed\/sleeted on right as the storm changed directions!! \u00a0The walk down was really pleasant. \u00a0We chatted about all sorts of things and enjoyed the awesome views. \u00a0I kept thinking, &#8220;how in the world am I so lucky to be out here in this amazing place right now with my incredible boys who <em>want<\/em> to be out here too??!!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Back at camp we finished up a game of the Great Races we had started earlier and also played a few rounds of Love Letter. \u00a0The boys played at the pond by our tent and I sat and watched them. \u00a0It was so cool to see them having fun together, bonding and being outdoors&#8230;my mouth hurt from grinning so much.<br \/>\n<a title=\"Brothers\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/29210981870\/in\/album-72157670269699393\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/c7.staticflickr.com\/9\/8190\/29210981870_82ab83977d_n.jpg\" alt=\"Brothers\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" \/><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\nWe had pizza ramen for dinner and butterscotch pudding for dessert then filled our water bottles and took in another look at Roger&#8217;s Peak Lake as the sun finished lighting James Peak above. \u00a0We played another couple games of Casino and 20 questions before zonking out cold. \u00a0Day 2 was AWESOMER!!<br \/>\n<a title=\"Guys at Roger's Lake\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/29210981550\/in\/album-72157670269699393\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/c7.staticflickr.com\/9\/8653\/29210981550_dc7cdb7044_n.jpg\" alt=\"Guys at Roger's Lake\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" \/><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\nMonday morning we woke to nothing but blue sky. \u00a0We had breakfast and then went up to take in one more long look at Roger&#8217;s Peak Lake before we started the trek down the trail. \u00a0The weather was perfect for hiking and we had lots of fun chatting about backpacking gear and playing 20 questions. \u00a0We missed the girls and wanted to see them but there was also a part of me that really wanted to just keep going. \u00a0Maybe some day one or more of my family members will hike the 480 mile <a href=\"http:\/\/www.coloradotrail.org\/\">Colorado Trail<\/a> with me.<\/p>\n<div id=\"flickr_72157670269699393_8621\"><div class=\"slickr-flickr-slideshow landscape medium \"><div class=\"active\"><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8852\/29210984650_ae208440f4.jpg\" title=\"The beginning\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>The beginning<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8214\/29465692456_e6668764a5.jpg\" title=\"Packing in\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Packing in<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8361\/29210984510_82e8ed6801.jpg\" title=\"Adjusting the load\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Adjusting the load<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8044\/29465692406_433235220c.jpg\" title=\"Backpacker\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Backpacker<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8157\/29210984330_3679187f14.jpg\" title=\"Taking in the view\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Taking in the view<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8039\/28877724583_e14106c759.jpg\" title=\"Resting on a log\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Resting on a log<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8521\/29465692296_a4fb4c5298.jpg\" title=\"Snack break\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Snack break<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8645\/29210984090_082960559e.jpg\" title=\"Waterfall\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Waterfall<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8306\/28877724503_0234686e16.jpg\" title=\"Campsite\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Campsite<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8507\/29210983910_259426a367.jpg\" title=\"Roger&#039;s Lake\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Roger's Lake<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8150\/29210983860_ce2cbb0cda.jpg\" title=\"Coming down from Heart Lake\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Coming down from Heart Lake<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8315\/29210983810_6ca1c9689a.jpg\" title=\"Hero\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Hero<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8106\/29210983700_2871e0a97c.jpg\" title=\"Love Letter\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Love Letter<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8041\/29465691786_02170645f0.jpg\" title=\"The dudes\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>The dudes<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8238\/29210983600_952596c8ff.jpg\" title=\"Silly\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Silly<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8243\/29210983520_e445be5bc1.jpg\" title=\"Roger&#039;s Lake Panorama\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Roger's Lake Panorama<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8191\/29210983470_02145d9054.jpg\" title=\"Ahhhhh\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Ahhhhh<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8097\/29210983450_c759407bd7.jpg\" title=\"Breakfast\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Breakfast<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8460\/29465691646_5f7d3180e4.jpg\" title=\"Going up the pass\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Going up the pass<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8005\/29210983220_f069e04de7.jpg\" title=\"Watching the weather\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Watching the weather<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8258\/29210983260_6b113dcbd8.jpg\" title=\"Me\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Me<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8424\/29210983050_43c9b0b17f.jpg\" title=\"Roger&#039;s Lake\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Roger's Lake<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8468\/29465691396_d2faf5c2a7.jpg\" title=\"Summit of the pass\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Summit of the pass<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8469\/29210983090_5de5d57fcf.jpg\" title=\"Ridge rest\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Ridge rest<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8228\/29210982890_fedb83159e.jpg\" title=\"Brothers at high point\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Brothers at high point<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8116\/29465691196_e9c4b897db.jpg\" title=\"The guys at high point\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>The guys at high point<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8059\/29210982810_13dd87caca.jpg\" title=\"Champions\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Champions<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8127\/29465691116_298ac36e74.jpg\" title=\"Our high point\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Our high point<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8425\/29465691006_e770e26b21.jpg\" title=\"Starting down towards Heart Lake\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Starting down towards Heart Lake<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8418\/29210982700_a4682ec39a.jpg\" title=\"Shadow\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Shadow<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8866\/29465690336_28d2595d26.jpg\" title=\"Coming down the pass\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Coming down the pass<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8319\/29210981970_334df87e83.jpg\" title=\"The Great Races\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>The Great Races<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8190\/29210981870_82ab83977d.jpg\" title=\"Brothers\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Brothers<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8526\/29465690186_41c8d2eafa.jpg\" title=\"Dinner time\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Dinner time<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8208\/29210981710_7c087981fb.jpg\" title=\"Happy camper\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Happy camper<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8125\/29210981680_fb213f302b.jpg\" title=\"Two thumbs up\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Two thumbs up<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8653\/29210981550_dc7cdb7044.jpg\" title=\"Guys at Roger&#039;s Lake\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Guys at Roger's Lake<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7498\/29465690016_c7a52ecfd9.jpg\" title=\"Caden\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Caden<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8535\/29210981430_16dc61afef.jpg\" title=\"Dacen\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Dacen<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm9.static.flickr.com\/8245\/29210981700_c2af75a0d4.jpg\" title=\"Break on hike out\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Break on hike out<\/p><\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">jQuery(\"#flickr_72157670269699393_8621\").data(\"options\",{\"delay\":3000,\"autoplay\":true,\"transition\":500,\"link\":\"next\",\"target\":\"_self\",\"width\":\"\",\"height\":\"\"});<\/script><div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When we took our little stroll on the AT\u00a0back in the Shenendoah National Park Caden asked if we&#8217;d be able to go backpacking once we were back home in CO. \u00a0I was tickled pink that he was the one asking me to go backpacking and I thought for sure we&#8217;d have plenty of time. \u00a0But [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":""},"categories":[78,7],"tags":[77],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2066"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2066"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2066\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2071,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2066\/revisions\/2071"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2066"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2066"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2066"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}