Hiking American Lake Trail in Aspen

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Regular readers know I talk a lot about my home state of Colorado (that’s the state flower, the Columbine, at left). I really can’t help it, since I love, love where I live. I happen to reside near a resort town in the mountains, and I do take advantage of the cultural and outdoor opportunities as often as I can. How’s this for an “enjoy your own backyard” type of weekend? (I’m not calling it a staycation!)

The Friday before last, I took my kids to a TheatreAspen performance of Suessical (the Musical). On Saturday, my daughter and I went to Mountain Fair in Carbondale, a beloved, long-running arts festival that draws thousands from around the state, and then to a community theatre performance of “A Chorus Line” (for those of you who know the story, it was toned down for young eyeballs and ears). Then on Sunday, my husband took a half day hike to American Lake.

As we made our way through groves of towering aspen trees and spruce forest and high-alpine meadows dotted with wildflowers, I kept thinking to myself, “Why don’t we do this more often?!”

Well, the answer is simple: We get busy with kids and work and trips and taking care of the yard and, well, life!

But, with my heart pounding and sweat dripping down my back, I was in heaven as we trudged up steep, switchbacking trails. Truly, the day couldn’t have been more glorious — bright blue sky, no humidity. As we climbed higher in elevation, the air grew cool — but not too cold.

We stopped and ate ham sandwiches at the emerald-green lake and all was right with the world.

It was a perfect morning with my husband — with whom I don’t spend enough “alone time.” A perfect-length hike (an hour and 40 minutes up; an hour and 20 minutes down) that was just challenging enough to make me feel like I accomplished something really great that day. And I did!

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August 7, 2008 | Filed Under Destinations, The Cookie Jar 

Comments

2 Responses to “Hiking American Lake Trail in Aspen”

  1. Aurae Beidler says:
    August 7, 2008 at

    Wow, sounds like a great hike. I like day hikes like that. Next time I’m in Colorado I will have to check out American Lake. Beautiful.

  2. Corey says:
    August 7, 2008 at

    Looks beautiful – I need to get there someday!

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