I originally had it planned to visit Moms family in Seattle ( along with Olympic and some other areas) for this years summer trip, but as August got closer and gas prices continued to rise ( gas was going to be more than half my budget for the trip) I decided to stick closer to home. A bit of a bummer to not be able to see moms fam, but it was fun hanging out in my home state. Seeing a good mix of old and new to me places.

A night at the cabin seemed a fitting place to start my trek through Colorado. From there, I’d wind my way through out the state, with my last two nights in Marble. Over 900 miles, one bad radiator cap and a lost Ham Radio antenna (fell off 🙁 ). I took over 700 pics, so making this a two part post.

Lots of good fun.

Enjoy:).

Still one of my favorite views in CO. Mt. Blue Sky (formerly Mt. Evans) from the road into the property.

Enjoying a cool afternoon in the Upper Meadows.

My pal Dan joined me for the evening at the cabin. We went and watched the sunset from a hill near the entrance.

A fine night to start the trip.

The next morning, I continued my trek further into CO. Meeting a friend from the club in Cotopaxi, then onward to camp below the Cloverdale Mine. I’ve been wanting to get back here ever since our first visit in 2020. Just a really cool area with loots of mining history.

Dave in his Fj40 heading up to camp. It’s been a while since our last outing, so good to hang out.

Looking North with the Wet Mountains to the East.

Still climbing, but getting closer to camp.

Old burn and a moody forest.

It’s a narrow trail the whole way to camp and the mine.

Rainbow Lake with Eagle Peak (13,205 ft) in the distance. Camp for the next two nights. Our camp was just above the lake, next to a small creek. Perfect.

Morning light.

eagle Peak from camp.

Fireweed.

From camp, we continued the drive up to the Cloverdale Mine.

At the first set of building for the Cloverdale Mine. Lots of cool stuff to check out.

The road to the mine and mill seemed to be in better condition than the main road in.

First view of the Cloverdale Mine. Definitely seen better days.

Lots of cool old equipment at the mine.

Looking into the mine.

Past the mine, we took a short hike to Silver Lake.

Looking back down the Cloverdale Basin. Hillside, CO in the distance.

Fine views.

Inside one of the old mine building. Magazines from 1978. Along with a Jack Daniels can and a birthday card.

Another evening at Rainbow Lake.

It was a bit of a slow drive down, heavy weekend traffic on a tight trail along with Dave being extra carful since one of the springs broke on his trailer.

Dave continued on back to his place above Cotopaxi to fix the trailer, while I continued on to Westcliff. From there, a short drive to the trailhead for Medano Pass (10,040ft).

After a long stretch passing through private land (and a Wolf Sanctuary), I was happy to see the sign for the National Forest.

Medano Pass (10,040 Ft). I’ve know about and read about this pass for years (thanks Pass Patrol!), yet this would be my first time over it:).

Some fine views as you drop down Medano and into the Park. Along this stretch is the preserve. Lots of good campsites and seven water crossing to navigate.

Came upon this mud puddle. Bottom seemed solid (poked it with a stick) and was able to make it through.

Evening views from camp.

Enjoying the afternoon before Dave returned with a fixed trailer. Woke up at 9am this morning, can’t remember the last time I did that:).

A moody afternoon as I drove to the Great Sand Dunes. Rain would welcome me back to camp.

Great to see Medano Creek flowing this late into summer. Park Ranger told me that this is the wettest the park has been since the 1950’s.

Another relaxing evening at camp.

Woke up early on our last morning in the park. Wanted to catch the sunrise on the dunes.

Some hard walking.

First light on the dunes. My beloved San Luis Valley in the distance.

Morning selfie. Having been a few years since my last visit to the dunes, it was a great morning watching the sunrise on the dunes.