Getting high again
We finally got to leave the “low elevations” of Longmont (only 5,000 ft) after the work week was complete. No I take that back. We didn’t just leave, we high-tailed it out of there. By 8:00 am we were dumping our tanks. By 9:00 am we were finishing up getting a few new tires on the Airstream down the street, and just a few moments after that we were on the Interstate with our nose pointed directly at the Rocky Mountains.
It took no time at all for us to climb up Interstate 70 to the top, hang a left, and make our way to Leadville, Colorado – just 30 miles from where we were 10 weeks ago. We came here to get out of the heat. The 90-degree days in Longmont were killers, even with the A/C in the trailer. Here, at Twin Lakes, we only reach low 70’s during the days and have a view to match the perfect weather. We even got to meetup with Kate and Iain of the Scenic Route for a few drinks and laughs.
We did set out to find the top of the mountains one day – driving up Independence Pass to see what all the commotion was about. Along the way we found a few spots that we have been considering for a backpacking weekend but the elevations being in the 12,000 feet kept us just fearful enough not too do it. While we have our cool backpacking gear, 12,000 feet is a completely different animal, so we have opted to move on this weekend and explore other areas of Colorado before heading back into Wyoming in a few weeks.
