Over the last week, I was looking at several different hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. I ended up deciding that trying to do the about 21 mile hike to Lake Nokoni and Lake Nanita sounded amazing. On Saturday, I set out on the hike, finding my way to Lake Nokoni and partaking in quite the adventure.
Author: Derek Honeycutt
Rocky Mountain National Park
This last weekend, I didn’t really have any plans. I started out driving over Independence Pass on Friday but finished back in Leadville for the night. Saturday, I made my way up to Rocky Mountain National Park, where I took Sunday to do one large hike in the Bear Lake region of the park.
Million Dollar Highway to Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP
This weekend, I decided to leave my spot near Cortez and head further North. I drove back to Durango and headed up US 550. I found a campsite near the Potato Lake Trailhead, where I stopped to hike to Potato Lake before crossing the Million Dollar Highway on Saturday. Visiting the south rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison, I stayed the night at the South Rim Campground before heading to the North Rim on Sunday and eventually making my way to camping at Washington Gulch outside of Crested Butte, CO for the week.
Mesa Verde, Yucca House, Canyons of the Ancients, and Hovenweep
This weekend, I headed to the Cortez area of Southwest Colorado for some adventure. I spent a couple of days experiencing Mesa Verde National Park, including staying one night in the park and going on the three guided tours. On Sunday, I headed to the Four Corners Monument, and also visited Yucca House National Monument, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, and Hovenweep National Monument.
Petroglyph and Chimney Rock National Monuments
This past weekend, I took the long weekend to take on some adventure. I got a hotel room in Albuquerque for a couple of nights, taking the opportunity to visit Petroglyph National Monument. From there, I then moved up into Colorado. Stopping at Chimney Rock National Monument on the way, I found a wonderful boondocking spot on the southern end of San Juan National Forest, outside of Bayfield, CO.
Rio Grande del Norte National Monument : Wild Rivers, River Trail Loop
On Saturday, I returned back to the Wild Rivers area of Rio Grande del Norte National Monument with plans to do the best hike I could. I did a large loop, including the entirety of the River Trail.
Rio Grande del Norte National Monument
On Sunday, I decided to head out for some adventure in Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. A little over a drive from my campsite to get to the National Monument later, I found myself spending all day exploring and thinking of future adventures to have within.
Public Comment on National Monuments Review
A recent executive order signed by President Trump orders Secretary Zinke to review a significant series of National Monuments declared by prior presidents over the last 20 years.Public comments are now being accepted at https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=DOI-2017-0002-0001
I have decided to make my comments public here, and I encourage all US Citizens to consider submitting their own comments (please try to make your own arguments, in your own, personal words) in support of our National Monuments–land currently being protected as the birthright of not only ourselves as US Citizens but for all future generations to come after us.
Bandelier and Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monuments, Valles Caldera National Preserve, and Manhattan Project NHP
This last weekend, I finally headed out to visit some of the national parks around the Los Alamos area. On Saturday, I went to Bandelier National Monument and then drove up to Valles Caldera National Preserve, doing some light hiking at both. Not finished quite yet, I drove back into Los Alamos and visited the open areas of Manhattan Project National Historical Park. On Sunday, I then made the drive down to Kasha-Katuwe National Monument for the available hiking there.
El Malpais and El Morro National Monuments
Time to catch up on the blog! After hanging out just outside of El Malpais National Monument for a week, I spent last weekend exploring El Malpais itself and also El Morro National Monument before heading up to Los Alamos. The next week brought snow and cold in the mountains, so I didn’t get out this weekend, but I did actually enjoy hanging out in the snow and tasting some New Mexico Chili with locals.