Peak to Peak Highway

Is it safe to say that spring has truly arrived in the Rockies, or does that just tempt Mother Nature to send more snow?

Spring fever hit our house today when Network decided it was time for us to see what's in back of the Front Range. He tricked me into thinking we were headed out for a walk this afternoon, then led me straight to the car and explained in no uncertain terms that it was a great day for a drive. And as it turns out, he knew what he was talking about.

Thus we start the lab-tested driving trips in the Rockies. This is something even an old lab can participate in, as opposed to lab testing hiking trails which led to this blog. 

After filling the gas tank and treating the driver to a chocolate shake with $1.93 in dimes, nickels and pennies (and a very friendly greeting from the cashier who wasn't put out in the least to count the change), we hit 72 west up into Coal Creek Canyon. I love how soft the hills look with fresh green peach fuzz on their cheeks. Less than 30 miles from home we were embedded deep in the forest, but I was surprised that it is more like the Mendocino National Forest near the California coast than the Sierras.

About 3 miles before the town of Nederland, we hit the Peak to Peak Highway, which was as much of a destination as I had in mind. From this vantage point, I was able to see the expanse of snow-capped peaks that are hidden from my view at home, being too close to the Front Range.

I must have blinked and missed the town of Ward, including access to Lefthand Canyon, which sounded like an interesting way to return to civilization. I remember a sign to Peaceful Valley, which sounds like a peaceful place to look at sometime. At Hwy 7, I decided to turn right and return via Lyons, saving Estes Park for another day. 

Returning on South Saint Vrain Drive was an especially picturesque drive through another canyon, following a stream the whole way down, and there are many turn-outs offering access to the stream. These turn-outs are very spacious, and I imagine during the summer they are pretty full. A few had picnic tables under the trees.

The terrain changed as we came out of the back country. The camera isn't tilted - the landscape is.

We were dumped out at the edge of Boulder on Hwy 36, just in time to join all the other folks heading home after a hard day at work. Network reports that lab work is exhausting for an old man. He also suggests Mom shouldn't try to take pictures over her shoulder while driving (I was stopped at a red light!).