Everything had gone exactly as planned. We got up at 2:00am Friday, then my mom showed up at 3:00am and we were off. Taking HWY 93 at that time was not the best of choices. Being a Colorado native, deer are nothing new or very surprising. But the thing that threw me was the sheer numbers. I ended up driving the speed limit after the second hard braking situation before Co 128. Just one more pit stop in Golden and we launched up Gennessee hill on I-70 for the continuous leg to Kite Lake. Exiting at Frisco as the sun lit up the valley reminded me of how much I miss living in the mountains.

The highlight of the drive was seeing a 599 Fiorano for the first time. I tried ever so desperately to get the camera out and snap a shot, but it was too little too late. Normally super cars in Summit county are of the typical high dollar rental variety in red, black or yellow. But this was a Ruby Metallic (deep wine) car with such exquisite styling and hand made artisan perfection. Enough with the car before I hijack my own thread.

We crested Hoosier pass at 6:15am and the olde familiar views were just as stunning as they were years ago...




The road to the trailhead/campground was easily navigable, even by Oklahoma plated Honda Civics. A few big rocks to avoid and some washboard tacking made for minimal thinking. By 8:00am we were half unpacked and starting to reach the end of setup. The view ended up taking some time away as we just gawked upon arrival...




The temperature was a very nice 54°(F) and Tambi even enjoyed it...






About 1:00pm the sky started drizzling without clouds above. So I took the opportunity to put on Bubba's newly crafted raincoat (a harrise exclusive)...




Now I'm not known to be hip to anything bird, but it was weird to me that these turds lived in little burrows in the ground. They were relentless in the way the taunted the dogs, but at least it kept them in one general area...




Sioux was being so good, I probably could have let him roam around off lead. But the jerks with their "well behaved" off leash dogs dashing towards us all morning only strengthened my on leash resolve.


To keep the dogs near the campsite, I tied their long leads to big rocks. It was soon apparent that my system had a flaw...








The cloudless drizzle had turned to rain and gathering clouds by 1:30pm...










After an hour and a half of sitting out the rain, we caught a break and everyone took a nap while I watched the site and my mom went to get firewood. During this time I lapsed in my responsibilities and fell asleep on the ground with the sled heads. I was in between them in this pic, with my feet towards Ridik, and my head towards Coco...


In the end, things just went sour as the evening turned to night. The two remaining parties to our camp arrived at 7:30pm and the rain started again the instant we started the fire. Six people crammed into a 12' x 12' canopy with wind gusts that must have been 40+ MPH. Luckily we were setup before the weather chaos ensued. People started arriving at sunset to setup camp for an early start to the hike. They were rewarded with their tents and many belongings being viciously ripped off the mountain side by wind. It really was quite sad.

The sleep overnight really wasn't too bad even though it was barely over 30°(F) with wind and rain. I had to shed layers and sleep in a tee shirt and shorts because of the sled dog space heaters placed around me. The alarm went off at 4:45am and I took a peek outside to judge the prospects of a hike. It wasn't promising. The clouds had stuck on the peaks during the night and left a trace of snow up top. Wisps of snow at the summit showed a fierce gust was in store. I'm not the type that climbs a mountain to climb a mountain. I want to get there and enjoy the view with a nice glass of wine. The last thing I want to do is fight my way up a snowy trail packed with weekend hikers and their OFF LEASH DOGS (explicitly forbidden by all trailhead signs). We made the call to abandon the trip and head home. I was already aggravated by the head check at 4:45, and the inconsiderate dolts with their off leash dogs cracked me good. There were a few people who had their hikes start with a direct and purposely antagonizing confrontation from yours truly. WHO THE HELL IN THEIR RIGHT MIND LETS THEIR UNLEASHED DOG RUN 50 YARDS AWAY TO GREET A PACK OF LEASHED 100 POUND DOGS?!?!?!?!? [/endrant]

Here's the last photos taken, after that it was all about the wine and whiskey while trying to keep dry. We still have at least two more major overnight trips planned with day drives to hikes in between. So stay tuned for our next outing.









Fin.

Gorgeous views! Only if I could get Chad and Sitka to do this with me and Gunny, it would be amazing... Sorry to hear that the other dog owners didn't have any manners, that would piss me off as well!

Yeah, by the third loose dog I threw my own manners out the window. This thing came rushing up to us while the owners continued to gear up with nary a glance. I know my dogs and they don't take well to a loose dog charging. There is definitely no pride in what happened next, but no feelings of sorrow either. Instead of doing the referee thing between the loose dog and my dogs, I let my dogs tear into it. This caused quite the situation. These ladies tried to walk up to me yelling, so I walked into them with my still edgy group of dogs staring them down without a sound. They finally got their dog to recall and tied him to the car. Until they headed for the trail. Then they released him and he instantly shot up the hill way ahead of them, kicking rocks down on others who were trying to navigate the initial scramble through loose rocks. People like that make dogs off limits on trails, and nearly every dog that showed up was the same story. Running around loose jumping into other people's cars and harrassing them while they gear up. Then they have to deal with that same CRAP on a 30 degree slope with snow and loose rocks. There was no way I could rationalize taking my dogs up the trail. Things would have probably ended ugly.

I think I am now one of those leashed dog dictators. And they have the bullocks to tell me MY dogs should not be there. Argh.

Chad: It was just until I-70, then it was on as I locked the Caravan onto the bumper of a rather courageous Audi. Well, there was the Georgetown stretch too. The only place in Colorado that I've been ticketed... Twice. Don't mess with Dumont to Bakerville.

I'm sorry it ended badly with shitty owners to boot! I look forward to seeing new pictures soon! You all make me want to be in Colorado

Stunning pics Harrise.

I'm sorry your trip was ruined by bad weather and stupid foolish dog owners who really should know better. I would have paid money to see you give the silent eye to those women haha nice one!!!

I love your pictures and stories and wish you would have had better weather but being the dog issue and you going home it was most likely better, if you read one of my last post about unleashed dogs you will know I feel the same way as you do and never hold back telling people to leash there dogs.