Colorado may be burning, but it’s also blooming. July kicks off wildflower season in the Rockies; in a place of perpetual photo opps, it’s one of the most beautiful times to visit.
Crested Butte’s annual Wildflower Festival is July 9-12, and includes over 80 hikes, 4×4 backcountry tours, and photography, gardening and cooking classes. If you can’t make a trip out, enjoy these photos of Colorado wildflowers at their most photogenic.
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Here at Gadling, we often tell stories of adventure: of traveling to far-off lands and meeting fascinating locals and sampling unpronounceable foods and returning home with bug bites and slipper tans and tales to be told over cocktails at dinner parties.
But the stories we less often share are the stories of what we sacrifice for those adventures: the patterns we disrupt, the worries we create and the often heartbreaking agony of being apart from the people that we love.
That’s why this short film from the Wild Love Project was familiar and somewhat painful to watch. The film follows a couple, Jake Norton and Wende Valentine, as they try to reconcile Jake’s love of mountaineering with the obligations of family life. Though it’s difficult, the couple makes it work so that they can impart to their children the importance of pursuing what makes them come alive.
In a release for the film, which premiered last month at the Mountainfilm festival in Telluride, Jake discussed some of the questions at the heart of the film:
In my experience, the climbing community has some topics, which they generally don’t want to discuss… how does climbing fit in with love, life, family? How do climbers evaluate risk and continue climbing when the responsibility changes and a spouse and children are added to the mix? Is continuing to climb simply selfish, or is there another explanation, a philosophy about life and passion and living which explains the need to keep climbing?
I’m sure most travelers can relate. I sure do.
If you’re the type of traveler who loves extreme adventure and being active, you’ll love Baños, Ecuador. Located about three hours south of Quito, Baños is a small but lively town surrounded by mountains and lush greenery. There are dozens of tour agencies lining the streets, although I’d recommend using a highly reputable company like Geotours or Rainforestur. Some of the adventures you’ll be able to partake in include:
Taking A Trip Into The Amazon Jungle
From Baños, you’ll be able to do one day or multiple day excursions into the Amazon Jungle. The tours usually begin with a trip to a monkey sanctuary. Next, you’ll visit an indigenous community to get your face painted with fruit, drink Chicha, shoot dart guns and learn about the culture. Jungle hikes, canoe rides, waterfall swims and night treks encompass the rest of the tour. You’ll see unique plants, like the Devil’s Penis, which squirts a clear liquid used to enlarge the manhood of indigenous men, as well as wildlife like anacondas, tree frogs, exotic birds and enormous spiders.Biking The “Waterfalls Route”
I recommend getting your bike from Caroline’s Tours on Martinez Street. You can get a basic bike all day for $5, or upgrade to the more comfortable one for $10. She’ll give you a map, and a fanny pack filled with pumps, locks and spare tubes. The “Waterfalls Route” takes about two hours, including stops at viewpoints and hikes to the falls. You’ll see:
You can take the bus back to Baños for $1 from Machay.
Going Canyoning
If you enjoy jumping from rock to rock and repelling down gorges, Baños offers canyoning excursions each day. You’ll descend numerous waterfalls, some extremely steep, along the Rio Blanco, while immersing yourself in the lush cloud forest. Your adrenaline will be pumping, as at times you’ll be dropping yourself 148 feet.
In Baños, there are two main viewpoint hikes: Bellavista and The Virgin. They’re both very straightforward, so don’t worry about getting lost. Bellavista takes you to a giant cross overlooking the city, and you’ll be able to continue the hike on the Runtun trail to see small villages and the Tungurahua Volcano. Just be sure to carry rocks, as dogs from the villages can get nasty. The trek to The Virgin takes you up hundreds of steps to an enormous Virgin Mary statue, for an all-encompassing look of Baños.
Rafting On The Pastaza River
Baños is a great place to enjoy white-water rafting. Depending on water levels that day, rapids can vary from class two to five. The rivers in Ecuador are warm and tropical, and you’ll even get the chance to journey through the lush flora and fauna of the Amazon Jungle.
The city is well known for its aerial adventures, like zip lining/canopy and bungee jumping. For the zip line, you’ll be strapped to a high wire, and will fly above the cloud forest. Moreover, bungee jumping is $20 or less, and allows you to jump off a bridge and swing like a pendulum. No need to book in advance, as you’ll be able to get off your bike and jump along the “Waterfall Route.”
Hiking And Biking Tungurahua Volcano
A hiking and biking excursion on this 16,480-foot active volcano is my top pick for the adventurous in Baños. I only recommend doing this thrilling excursion if it’s a clear day out, as the views awarded from this volcano are priceless. The day begins at 9:00 a.m., when a van will take you to the starting point. Then, you’ll hike up three hours to the refugio for excellent views of surrounding mountains, valleys and rivers, before cycling downhill at rapid speed. Once you get to the bottom, you’ll also bike your way back to Baños.
Eating Guinea Pig For A Cheap Price
Called cuy, eating this delicacy is usually an expensive culinary adventure. However, if you walk around near the main square, you’ll be able to find street food vendors cooking it for an affordable price. For example, I was able to buy a single serving with potatoes and vegetables for $3.50. While eating guinea pig may sound scary, it tastes a lot like greasy, fatty chicken.
Paragliding
Paragliding, which involves soaring through the air via a parachute, is a popular activity in Baños. Additionally, it’s a great way to take in views of the entire region. Most paragliding tours take off from Niton Mountain, and you’ll see mountains, volcanoes and rivers as you soar through the air like a bird.
For outdoor enthusiasts and adventure travelers, Rocky Mountain National Park happens to be 415 square miles of paradise. Featuring more than 350 miles of hiking trails, a half-dozen campsites, excellent fishing and miles of scenic cycling routes, the park is an alpine playground set in the Front Range of Colorado. It also happens to be home to one of the most well known and accessible “14ers” in the entire state.
What’s a 14er you ask? Good question! In Colorado a 14er refers to any mountain that is 14,000 feet in height or taller. The state has 53 of them and they are a source of considerable pride amongst the very active outdoor community there. Many climbers even make it a goal to stand at the summit of each and every one of those peaks, including the only 14er located inside Rocky Mountain National Park itself, Longs Peak.
Named after Major Stephen Long, who explored the region back in the 1820s, Longs Peak stands 14,259 feet in height. During the winter months it presents a fairly significant technical climbing challenge that requires the use of crampons, ice axes and other specialized gear. But in the summer the trails are cleared of snow and ice, removing most of the technical obstacles and allowing just about anyone in reasonable physical condition to hike to the top.The most popular and accessible path to the summit is known as the Keyhole Route. This tough but manageable trail starts at about 9400 feet and winds its way to the top along a path that is well marked with a series of bull’s-eyes. Along the way hikers will need to negotiate a large boulder field and scramble up to a rock landmark known as the Keyhole, which is located at about 13,000 feet and gives the route its name. From that point on the climb gets a bit more harrowing as exposed ridges and rocky outcroppings add a new element to the trek, but hikers that take their time and attempt the final push to the top in good weather should have little difficulty in reaching the summit.
Those that do make the hike are rewarded with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Longs Peak is the tallest mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park and from the summit you can see for miles in all directions. That view is not only well worth the climb, but it will also make you forget about all the hard work it took to get to the summit in the first place.
Despite the fact that Longs Peak is very accessible to non-climbers there are a few things to keep in mind before attempting the climb. First, the trail is about 15 miles in length round trip, so be prepared to start early and expect a long day. The route features approximately 5000 feet of vertical gain as well, which means climbers will be working hard – at altitude no less – while on the ascent. Additionally, the thin air can cause all kinds of issues including shortness of breath, headaches, nausea and so on. For many hikers this isn’t a major issue, provided they go slow, take breaks and don’t overexert themselves.
The weather conditions on Longs Peak can also have a major impact on the hike. When the route is dry it is a fairly straightforward ascent, but in the summer, late afternoon thunderstorms are not uncommon and can cause the rock to become quite slippery, greatly increasing the overall level of difficulty. Also, due to the high altitude, it is possible for it to get cold, or even snow – even at the height of summer. Climbers should be sure to dress appropriately and bring extra clothing just in case.
The best time to hike Longs Peak is between July and September. During that period the mountain is at its safest thanks to warm and predictable weather. The route can get a bit crowded at times, particularly on weekends, but that adds a level of camaraderie to the trek and makes it a bit easier to follow the path to the summit.
If you decide to add Longs Peak to your Summer Bucket List, I’d recommend making nearby Estes Park your base camp. The town has surprisingly diverse options for both dining and accommodations and serves as a gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. In fact, after you’re done conquering the mountain, spend a few extra days in town enjoying whitewater rafting, mountain biking, kayaking or simply lounging about and enjoying the fantastic scenery.
If you’re looking for a great summer adventure and you’ve always wanted to climb a mountain, then a visit to Rocky Mountain National Park should be on your list of must see places. Longs Peak provides a great challenge with a fantastic payoff and when you’re done, you’ll have just 52 more 14ers before you’ve bagged them all.
Adventure travelers may hit the road with nothing but the clothes on their backs and maybe their cellphones. They live to explore dream destinations around the planet. Taking off to spend the summer walking America or hiking through Europe is their idea of heaven on Earth. It’s a carefree life full of wonder and anticipation – until they get hungry.
They may hole up somewhere to avoid a storm or put other worlds on hold for a while to focus singly on their quest. But when hunger strikes, they need to eat.
If they managed to bring along that cellphone, finding food can be a bit easier with some old and new iPhone apps.
In the U.S., Food Finder uses postal ZIP codes for finding dining venues sorted by cuisine type. Food Information Database has nutritional information for hundreds of restaurants. Whats The Wait? finds restaurant wait times and seating statuses nationwide.
Traveling abroad, Eat Well Global country guides are available with country-specific food and health information. Launched this week, the new country-specific app shows travelers how and where to eat well in Israel, Thailand, Mexico, China and other destinations.
“Eating well is critical for maintaining energy and staying focused,” said Eat Well Global founder, Julie Meyer, RD in the Sacramento Bee. “But often travelers don’t know how to eat well in a new country. Our apps fill this need with insights from local registered dietitians to help you find healthy and energizing foods that are also authentic to the region.”
Also featured are sections on eating well with special dietary needs, a task that can humble even the most courageous adventure traveler who might be looking for vegan, gluten-free or low fat food options.