Peaceful Valley in Rocky National Park
Observant Nomad | Rocky Mtn National Park
I'm ashamed to admit that this weekend was the first time all season, that I've been camping. I usually try to go two to three times in the summer alone. I know - I hang my head. In Colorado, camping is one of our favorite pastimes and can range from all over the spectrum, from luxury cabin style to really roughin' it backpacking around.I grew up spending long durations of my summer at camp exploring rivers, riding horses and hiking. Or week long stints to the beautiful glaciers, valleys, mountains and lakes of Yellowstone with my family. Camping is in my blood. So you can understand the feeling of longing I have when I've been away from our Rocky Mountains too long.
Observant Nomad | Peaceful Valley
Observant Nomad | Peaceful Valley
This weekend my man and I ventured about 20 miles north of Nederland, CO to Peaceful Valley. Which I can attest, while not having the most unique name, it is still named appropriately. Our camping ground was tucked right a long the wooded Middle St. Vrain River. Set in a wide valley surrounded by tall wise-looking pine and bright yellow aspen trees. The sky was clear blue and the morning air crisp. We enjoyed our first night roasting s'mores and chatting about an upcoming trip to Pennsylvania in October.Set at about 8,600 miles above the sea, at night the stars feel closer than ever. I couldn't stop gazing at the abundant sprinkling above me. The subtle flow of the Milky Way dragging across the sky reminded me of our small existence and pulled me into a daydream state. Getting away to remote places really brings me back to simpler thinking and gratitude.We spent the last morning exploring the sunlit Middle St. Vrain trailhead. A wonderfully mild hiking trail that leads through aspen trees and tall moss covered pines along the river. We even spotted a huge adolescent moose about 25 yards in front of us! After a 2 mile hike we made it to Timberline Falls - a series of small rapids that create a beautiful cascading of the river down the hill. I would love to go back on a backpacking trip through the area to St. Vrain Glacier and through Buchanan Pass.It's always surprising how many beautifully tucked away places exist in my homestate that I never knew were there. It always revitalizes that sense of adventure in me, knowing the next best place is right up the mountain.