Crags Snowshoeing

Laurie bought snowshoes back in the fall.  She has been wanting to try them out for quite a while.  There was a 3-day weekend so we decided to try it out.  Laurie took a snowshoeing class at REI to learn more, so she was the expert guide.  She learned that the Crags in Divide was a great place to go.  It's located at the backside of Pikes Peak.  Laurie drove her car, which was an hour drive.  Upon arriving there was quite a bit of snow on the road to the trail.  Laurie's car only made it so far.  We were left to walk a little over a mile to the trail head.

Once we reached the trail head we put on our snowshoes.  It felt funny at first but once you started walking you got used to it.

 

We also had to protect our lips from the elements with our new find.  Presenting....Burt's Bees Mango Chapstick!!!  It smells wonderful, feels great, and kept our lips from getting chapped in the blustery winds.

Maria's next career...chapstick model!

Once we started walking there wasn't a lot of snow.  Some parts were actually just dirt. Yes the new fad is snowshoeing in dirt!!

After a half mile there was more evidence of snow and we began to venture off the path to deeper snow.  It was a gorgeous day, sunny with a light breeze.

 

 

 

 The hike kept going uphill.  After a few more miles the top was near.  At the top there was not a lot of snow and it was extremely windy.  The wind almost knocked you down.  The view was spectacular though.

We met some nice people who took our picture at the top.

Then it was time to head back down because it was getting chilly.  We decided to stop by this cave to eat our lunch.  We thought it would be warmer in the cave but it wasn't.

This was totally a Bear Grylls style cave! 

Mango time!

It was a good one!  Just right to fuel us up for the rest of the trip.

While eating our pb & j and sliced mango, a cute little bird landed on a tree branch.  Laurie named it Gary.

Meet Gary!

After lunch we started hiking again.  The walk back was colder because the wind had picked up and it was cloudy.  We ventured off the path and slid down some hills which was fun.  Laurie decided to fall in the snow and make a snow angel.

 We made it to the bottom and some fellow hikers took our picture.

We made our way back to the car and found a fire on the way.  Someone had left it, so we warmed up a bit and were on our way.

Note to self: always carry marshmallows with you.  You never know when you might need to roast one!

So long Crags!