“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
Psalms 90:2
Hello sweet friends! If you have been following the last couple of weeks then you know that Butch and I made a trip to beautiful Aspen, Colorado! There was a specific reason for this trip, but that is for another post! Of course while we were there we had to take in all of the awesome scenery…my Renaissance Man is a great outdoorsman! This hubby of mine loves living in the country where we have a river, woods, pastures, and creeks…making it hard to keep him inside when he is home. He loves to hunt, even taking his hobby on the road to Montana and New Mexico! With all that being said, I hope you brought your hiking boots today, because we are taking you high up in the Rocky Mountains for some sunshine on our shoulders!
The Maroon Bells are the most photographed peaks in all of North America. They are about 12 miles southwest of Aspen and a must see!
They are located in the Elk Mountains, a high rugged mountain range in the Rockies.
The two giant snow-striped mountains are named Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak and together are known as Maroon Bells!
Maroon Lake mirrors the peaks and it is the most popular viewing point.
Let the hike begin!
A couple weeks earlier, this aspen grove would have been a sea of autumn gold!
A 1.4 mile trek is not far, but the trail head is at 9580 feet of elevation. The air is a little thin and it makes walking much more strenuous!
The trail is considered intermediate…the rocks made it more difficult!
The weather was perfect for a hike with 60 degree temperatures and beautiful cobalt blue skies!
Many of the rocks were more like boulders!
The white bark of the aspens is prominent with their leaves gone.
The peaks are fourteeners, meaning they are at least 14,000 feet. Colorado has the most fourteeners in the U.S. with 53!
The two peaks are separated by about a third of a mile.
At this altitude it is mostly fir trees!
*
Are we there yet…
…getting closer to Crater Lake!
After a fairly steep 1.8 mile trek over large rocks and a 500 feet elevation gain, we were rewarded by this stunning view!!
We climbed up onto some rocks and sat for a little while just taking in the panoramic views and mountain air! I must say I was quite proud of myself for making the hike with the elevation and my asthma!
On the return, we caught views of Maroon Lake…
…and these red peaks!
We love the Rocky Mountains and even thought of moving there when we were newlyweds. Butch wanted to pursue a master’s degree in wildlife biology. Those dreams changed, and we stayed where we both grew up, and for that we are thankful! Stay tuned for another post of why we were in Aspen that will be personal and hopefully interesting! Thank you for following our everyday living and the comments you leave behind!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Life on Lakeshore Drive,Coastal Charm, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, French Country Cottage, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Katherines Corner,Vintage Mama’s Cottage, Marilyn’s Treats, Peonies & Orange Blossoms, Eclectic Red Barn, Share Your Cup,21 Rosemary Lane,The Vintage Nest, The Essence Of Home, Feathering My Empty Nest, Kingsbury Brook Farm, The Red Painted Cottage, Love Of Home,My Soulful Home, Celebrating Everyday Life, Little Farmstead, Starfish Cottage, Rattlebridge Farm, Rustic & Refined,The Freckled Rose, Life and Linda, DIY 180, The Stonybrook House, Celebrate & Decorate, Sweet Sensations, The Dedicated House, Jodie Fitz
Way to go, Pam. Definitely a feat to have climbed that mountain in thin air, let alone with asthma! I can see you were shedding the layers as you made the climb, getting your workout. Beautiful country, and thank you for taking us along on this trek. I’ve been to CO a couple times, but not this location.
The title of your post, I do believe, may be a clue to our next post. 😉 I used to sing that song to my oldest daughter, making up a story to a book with only photos that she used to love. ♥
Rita, it was definitely a feat for me to climb in that thin air! You may be on to the clue!
Girl, the pictures are stunning and I am so in awe of you hiking like that! Walk maybe, hike, no! Lord especially if it’s up hill. I am afraid of heights to start off and last weekend at sat in an 18 foot tree stand while hunting and I thought I was going to have a heart attack! LOL! My stands I sit in are usually not that high. I am just drooling over these beautiful pictures. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Thank you Cindy! You amaze me sitting in a tree stand high off the ground!
Thank you for allowing us to see this beautiful part of our country through your eyes. You and Butch must be in really great shape to hike at this altitude and in rocky terrain. That is very impressive. God’s beauty is all around us. Love the mirror lake photo most and love seeing you and Butch on this adventure. You have really got us in suspense wondering what exciting news you have. Will stay tuned in for this! Thanks again for letting us come along.
Thank you Dianne! The post is coming tomorrow!
I live in Colorado and I have done this hike! Great share, and love all those beautiful pictures 🙂
Thank you for reading and commenting! Your state is beautiful!
Wow – Pam the pictures are glorious. Thank you for sharing this beautiful part of our world with all of us. I love them all, but can’t get over the blue of the sky. Simply magnificent !
Have a lovely weekend and hope this finds you enjoying these wonderful autumn days.
Thank you Sandra; the blue skies are amazing!
I’m so proud of you, Pam! At 11.000 feet a few years ago, I could hardly breathe. I don’t know how you made this climb. God’s strength and endurance, right? Do we need to call Butch a new name like “Butch Denver”, as in John Denver new version Butch? I suspect your trip had a musical reason behind it. (Just my prediction and is possibly completely wrong!) Maroon Lake and Bells are stunning! Glad you had a great trip. Happy Thursday, friend!
Kim, you might be guessing correctly! Thank you sweet friend!
Just stunning!!!Such beauty!
Thank you Maristella!
Absolutely breath taking, Pam, the expression on your Husband’s face in the first photo says that he is really in his element. You both have to be in excellent shape. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings,
Sue
Yes, Sue we enjoyed the beautiful scenery and my husband was definitely in his element!
I’m not much of an outdoor kind of girl (my idea of being outdoorsy is shopping at an open air mall!!!), but I still have a deep appreciation for nature. This area is gorgeous!!! I know it’s got to be fantastic exercise for the body, mind AND spirit to get out there in the open and explore! My husband and I visited Denver and Silverthorne earlier this year, and we were just in awe of our surroundings. I’ve been in the mountains several times before, but this year’s trip was extra special. I guess I’m getting softer in my old age! 🙂 Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing, and have a marvelous weekend!
Thank you Alycia! The scenery is truly breathtaking!
Pam, what breathtaking photgraphs…absolutely gorgeous! We have talked about taking a trip to Aspen. My hubby has been, but I never have. He said it is a beautiful place to visit. I hope that you had a wonderful time. Happy Thursday, sweet friend!
Shannon, if you get the opportunity I highly recommend Aspen!
Wow Pam, what a gorgeous hike and you did so well to complete it. The scenery is just spectacular. We went to Aspen before our son came along and loved it.
Joy, it was quite the hike in that very thin air!
You captured the beauty of Aspen wonderfully! I love Colorado and seeing your pictures makes me want to go back.
Thank you Joanna, the scenery is spectacular!
Hi Pam, Incredible photos of an area in our state that I haven’t visited yet. We’ve been to Aspen before and loved it; must get to the Maroon Bells next spring. I have to say(you probably hear this often)your husband looks so much like John Denver-in fact, in the first photo I thought you had borrowed on of John hiking there. That is quite a hike you took. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs, Noreen
Noreen, Maroon Bells are beautiful! My hubby is often told he looks like John Denver!
Omg, that trail looks treacherous! Such beautiful scenery to keep you inspired along the way!
Jemma, it was treacherous, I felt very accomplished to finish it!
Excuse the typo Jenna
Gorgeous pics, love each and every one. Great job on your climb, nothing like being outside and enjoying mother nature. God’s hands at work.
Thanks so much Judy! It was so much fun!
What absolute beauty! And, hats off to you both for your endurance at such high elevation. I probably would have fainted. Can’t wait to hear the rest of the story…………..
Thank you sweet Lea~
“The sun on our shoulders makes us happy” …
This is how our beloved John sang, and thus I see you so happy in these beautiful mountains of Aspen.
What can make humans happier than contemplating the wonderful nature that this small planet that God created for man provides us?
Contemplating nature and enjoying it is very satisfying to the spirit because it is the recognition of the creation of God.
I love those mountains that look so beautiful, you have done some beautiful excursions and what is more … have enjoyed as children …
Thank you for showing so much beauty, thank you for being such as you are.
Dolores
¡Dolores, Butch y yo amamos nuestra visita a Aspen! La montaña es impresionante en su belleza! ¡Dios ha creado un mundo que es su obra maestra para que nosotros lo disfrutemos! ¡Bendiciones y un abrazo!
I have never been to Colorado nor seen the Rocky Mountains . Your gorgeous photos have taken me there today .
What a special trip that must have been for you and Butch . John’s spirit was surely present with every step you took,every turn you made as you gazed at such panoramic wonder . I can hear his voice and see his smile in your pictures . A beautiful trip for you and a tribute to him . Thank you for our blog gift today !
Christine, thank you so much for your extremely sweet and meaningful words! The scenery definitely takes your breath away!
I have a love/hate relationship with Colorado and have spent some time there myself. I love so much about it, but I can not drive in the mountains. I think I have PTSD from a incident in 1968 in Colorado. I’m serious! I have the same problem with driving through NYC, Chicago, Atlanta on the expressways. I will drive a 300 miles out of my way to avoid any road with a cliff next to it or five lanes of traffic. I am glad you aren’t bothered by such little things and can enjoy the magistry.
~Ginene
Fortunately Ginene I didn’t do any driving!
Pam, I hiked this area many years ago. It’s great to see your beautiful images. I love this area!
It is truly spectacular to see Sarah!
I’ve lived in Colorado in the Denver area the past 5 years and we recently visited Maroon Bells and I blogged about them–they are the most photographed mountains in our state! The day we visited it began to snow on the mountains and was somewhat windy, so we missed the clear reflection on the water, but it was a thrill to visit this sight and a few others in that area. Your images were lovely and I’m glad you had a memorable visit!
Pat, I will go back and look up your post on Maroon Bells. I know it was quite magical with snow falling!
Stunning scenery Pam and beautifully photographed! That’s part of the country I haven’t visited and it’s on our bucket list. Maroon Lake with the peaks reflected takes my breath way!
Mary, thank you! The scenery is breathtaking!
Other than the morning light on Lake Louise in Canada, the Maroon Bells is one of my very favorite places for a spectacular view…glad that you and Butch had a great time…this makes me want to put my hiking boots back on!!!
Shirley, Lake Louise is truly beautiful also! It was quite a hike!
I love Colorado. Any part of it. I will need to put this on my to-do list. This year we visited Steamboat Springs and then returned to Fort Collins and Rocky Mountain National Park. I would love to see it all. So very pretty. Thank you for sharing.
I have been able to see so much of the Rockies and they are truly magnificent;t!
Hi Pam & Hubby! So glad you got to see this amazing part of Colorado where I live. Your photos are outstanding. Congrats on completing the hike. Big hugs from Colorado, Pat
Pat, thank you…we do love Colorado!
Wow! I don’t have asthma and I don’t think I could do this! You two never fail to inspire me with your travel adventures. What a wonderful hike and the views are stunning! Thanks as always, for sharing at the Take Me Away party! Have a great weekend!
Shelley
Thanks so much Shelley! It was a hike to remember!
Very beautiful Pam! We certainly enjoyed our hikes near Breckenridge, CO a few weeks ago. The temps were very similar. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Thank you Jann, the mountains are so beautiful!
Loved this post for the scenery and the fond memories it evoked. We camped in view of the Maroon Bells on our honeymoon in 1978. Blessings, Karen
Maroon Bells, aw what gorgeous scenery! Thanks for your visit, Karen!