2008 Iowa Trip

Here are some photos from my August trip back to Iowa.  It's so beautiful in NorthEast Iowa, in the "Driftless Area".

Here is a link to all the photos, enjoy.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=s7o79k5.67mz598d&x=0&y=kqz7qr&localeid=en_US

Scenic Overlook Balltown Iowa

Foggy morning at the Balltown Iowa overlook

A view of farmland and Cassville Wisconsin from Balltown Iowa

A view of the Mississippi River from Fire Point Overlook at Effigy Mounds Nat'l Monument

Hike to Lake Isabelle in the Indian Peaks Wilderness

I did the hike up to Lake Isabelle in the Indian Peaks Wilderness.  Saw some beautiful wildflowers including Colorado's state flower, the Colorado Blue Columbine and I got some nice photos of a humming bird.

here is a link to all the photos,

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=s7o79k5.8x3kd0ad&x=0&y=-sw2i46&localeid=en_US

Humming Bird hovering above an Indian Paintbrush

Humming Bird hovering above an Indian Paintbrush wildflower

Colorado's State Flower, the Colorado Blue Columbine

2008 4th of July weekend

Link to all photos from 4th of July weekend in Montrose and Ridgway, CO
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=s7o79k5.cfew5yot&x=0&y=dvj3xw&localeid=en_US

I had a great trip to Montrose, CO for the 4th of July weekend to see MJ and to take in the beautiful views of the San Juan Mountains.

I got in to Ouray about 9:30pm and luckily drove over Red Mountain Pass in the dark. I could tell this pass was pretty intense even in the dark but I made it. I stayed on the Silverton side the first night, the stars were amazing. I drove back over the pass early the next day so that I wouldn't meet any vehicles on the pass. I spent the next day driving up County Road 7 & 9 and Last Dollar Road off of Dallas Divide. Toward the end of County Road 7 is an awesome valley with the mountains in the back. At the end is the trailhead to Blue Lakes. I walked out to the trail mileage sign to see how far the hikes were and as I turned around to head the 30 yards back to my vehicle, I saw a big black bear to my left about 30-40 feet away. I started to slowly move toward my vehicle, he looked up and saw me and disappeared into the thick woods. That night I met MJ in Ouray for fireworks. I drove back to the end of County Road 7 and camped there for the night.

The next day MJ and I drove to Telluride and back up County Road 7, we went to church and then I took him to the Montrose Skate Park.

On Sunday MJ and I drove back to Silver Jack Res. an area where they filmed a lot of the John Wayne movie, True Grit. It was great but started raining real hard when we got there. Sunday night I went to the South Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Nat'l Park. I hiked out on the Warner Point Nature Trail at the end of the South Rim road and enjoyed some awesome views of Farmland, Sand Dunes and the San Juan Mountain Range. Slept through the rain that night and was on the road back to Broomfield by 6am.

2008 May Rocky Mt Nat'l Park

Elk way up high and going higher

Fall River in West Horseshoe Park

Ram, Big Horn Sheep

Badger

Aspens to Alpine in West Horseshoe Park

Here is a link to more photos from the weekend.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=s7o79k5.5ruyj2lh&x=0&y=bh7si4&localeid=en_US

I had a great weekend trip up in Rocky Mt Nat'l Park.  I left work on Friday at 4pm and was at the Morraine Park campground by 5:15pm.  I got my camp site and drove around to see all the sites once again.  It reminded me of a quote, "I've come here, like so many evenings before, simply to see what I can see." by David Petersen from the Nearby Faraway.  Saturday morning was an early one, 5am and on my way to Sprague Lake to get the photo of Halletts Peak reflecting in it.  When I got there I noticed the water wasn't completely calm because the lake was so full it was emptying out the East end so the water was moving.  Just about then some elk came into the lake and really stirred things up.  It made for a bad reflection photo but it was great to watch the young elk playing around in the water.  About 7:30 I went to EndoValley picnic area and parked next to Fall River and took a nap with the sounds of the river putting me to sleep.  I woke up again and had a breakfast sandwich next to the water and thought it would be nice to head up Trail Ridge Road and have a cup of coffee up there.  I was heading that direction but realized I was so close to Sheep Lakes and I have seen a Big Horn in awhile so I turned left instead of right.  Perfect timing.  The ranger stopped me and I was the first in line to watch 3 ewes cross the road and head down to Sheep Lakes.  They let me through and I went to the parking area where Ranger Don had just started his ranger talk about Big Horn Sheep.  Once that was over and everyone left the sheep came out and were visable, so I snapped a few long photos.  Then a gentlemen approached Ranger Don and asked him if it was okay for him to use him in his next book on RMNP.  He was the well known photographer James Frank.  I listen to James and the Ranger talk back and forth as it was very interesting.  Then I drove back to where I came from to get some closer photos of the 3 ewes.  I was able to do that and just as the sheep were heading out of sight a badger came running across the meadow.  This is only the 2nd time I have seen a badger and it was very cool.  He was looking for food.  He ran right up on 4 deer and one of them was checking him out but he just went about his business.  Then he disappeared over a hill.  I decided to follow from a distance and not in is direct path.  I saw the badger again by it burrow.  Then 3 more smaller badger came out and that was awesome.  It was so much fun watch him.  A lady had mentioned to me while we were taking photos of the badger that some Big Horn Sheep were seen for a couple of days just outside the park.  I drove up Trail Ridge Road and went to the place where the lady said the Big Horn Sheep were and she was dead on.  This group of 5 had 2 big Rams in it and I don't think I have seen a Ram with that much curl to his horns.  It was great.  I went to a picnic area and made myself another bagel sandwich for dinner while I watched some elk in the meadow and a Stellar Jay was begging for food.  I wren came and sang a short song and flew away.  Then I went to the Ranger talk.  It was not a ranger giving it, it was "The Trout Doctor" retired CSU professor and trout expert, Robert Behnke and though I'm not a fishermen it was quite interesting because of some of the things we as man do to "make things better" and end up doing more harm than good sometimes.  http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/14/us/14fish.html?fta=y  It was a great trip.

Storm North Red U16 2008 State Cup, on to the Final Four (Top 20 teams in the state at U16)

MJ and his teammates, Storm North Red U16 have started play in the Spring 2008 Colorado State Cup.

Follow along with MJ's State Cup Standings, Storm North is in Pool D.

http://www.coyouthsoccer.org/schstand/SC08/120_5_0.html

SUN 5/4/08

MJ's team had quite a battle on their hands today.  They dominated play but couldn't finish on their opportunities to score and found themselves in a 1-1 battle late in the game.  We put one in on a free kick and an own-goal by one of their players who actually used to play on our team.  It is now on to the Final Four next Sun.  Below are several photos of MJ at Field #21 at Dick's Sporting Goods Fields.  Here are some photos from the game, 

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=s7o79k5.a4fkrf59&x=0&y=a5033z&localeid=en_US

MJ reaching for a high ball, great background.

SUN 4/13/08

Coming off a disappointing league lost on Sat to Pikes Peak Nike Rush, Storm North came out very strong in the final game of pool play in the first round of State Cup and won 7-0 to advance to the Elite 8 or the Championship Round.  They finished the first round pool play with a 3-0 record and will move on to the 2nd round where it is now, win or go home.  There is still no clear cut favorite for the championship, so it might as well be Storm North Red. (No photos from the State Cup game).  

SUN 4/6/2008

The Storm North Red boys started slow once again today.  The scored was tied at half and the Pride Predators got on the board first with a free kick from just outside the box.  The boy planted it in the top back corner for a 1-0 lead.  The lead didn't last long as we came right back and scored a couple of minutes later and Adam beat the goalie and put it away.  Like yesterday that appeared to open the floodgates.  About 5-10 minutes later Lupito received a great cross, dribbled the goalie, who had come out and put it away from a very tough angle.  There was than a little controversy as MJ made a touch save but the ball was heading for the back corner and Luke came and booted it out.  The side ref appeared to call it a goal but it clearly did not cross over the line.  That was a big play because it kept the 1 goal lead.  Than Adrian put 2 insurance goals in, the first one from outside the 18 and the last one on a nice header from a great cross to complete the 4-1 win.  A win next Sunday clinches winning Pool D and advancing on to the Elite 8.

(all the photos at the link below)

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=s7o79k5.3br9dzc5&x=0&y=glh7o9&localeid=en_US

SAT 4/5/2008.  

They had a very tough battle today against a very good team from Boulder.  Boulder led 1-0 after one half and held that lead until about halfway through the 2nd half when Tesho scored to get us on the board with about 15 minutes left in the game.  Christian than scored as the goalie couldn't secure a save and Christian charged in, scored on the rebound and did an amazing flip over the goalie.  Lupito finished the scoring as he blasted one from about 25 yards out.  They won 3-1 but it was much closer than the score indicated. (No Photos of this game)

They are still ranked #1 in the state of Colorado,

http://www.gotsport.com/rankings/team.aspx?teamid=17356

The team from LA they beat in the Championship game in AL is now ranked #1 in the Country.

Follow along with MJ's 2008 Elite II League Standings

www.csysa.org/schstand/S_08/820_5_202.html

U16 Storm North Red 3-0 win over Chivas & 3-0 win over Real in an Elite II league game.

4/30/08 It was a wind blown battle with Boulder scoring one in the first half and Storm North scoring one in the 2nd half for a tie.  Both goals were scored on PK's.  MJ got his hand on the PK but just couldn't push it outside the post.  One point and this puts them in first by one point for the time being with a record of 4-1-3

4/26/08  Due to injuries and sickness we were a little short of players today but the boys came out playing hard and had a 2-0 lead at the half.  Both goals were scored by Lupito with assist to Tesho.  In the 2nd half, Tesho again assisted Lupito for a 3-0 advantage.  The Real team had the wind at their back all 2nd half but could not score.  MJ make an excellent save in the upper 90 to preserve the shutout.  With all the injuries and sickness it was another great win and placed us in a 3 way tie for the lead in the league with a record of 4-1-2.

Follow along with MJ's 2008 Elite II League Standings

www.csysa.org/schstand/S_08/820_5_202.html 

Currently ranked #1 in the State of Colorado,

www.gotsport.com/rankings/team.aspx?teamid=17356

4/19/08 MJ's team improved to 3-1-2 in league play with a hard fought, intense, great team effort, 3-0 win over Chivas.

A link to all the photos of the great team win over the Chivas on their home field,

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=s7o79k5.27hdwrtx&x=0&y=4o4hun&localeid=en_US

4/12/08 U16 vs. Pike Peaks

Follow along with MJ's 2008 Elite II League Standings

www.csysa.org/schstand/S_08/820_5_202.html

This was a frustrating lost to Nike Pikes Peak, we didn't play with much energy and effort.

Here is a nice foot save MJ had in the league game against Pikes Peak Nike Rush.

The ball comes loose to a man on the back side and he has an open shot at MJ.

MJ is going to protect near post and the kid shoots.

MJ makes a nice save with his feet and keeps the score 1-1 for the time being.

-Storm North Wins the Vulcan Cup in Birmingham, AL Feb 2008

MJ's team, Storm North Red won the Vulcan Cup U16 Gold Division CHAMPIONSHIP in Birmingham, AL! In pool play they went 3-0 and beat the #1 ranked team in OH South, the returning champs of this tournament from IN and a team from FL. This sent them to the championship against the #1 ranked team in Louisiana and according to some rankings, the #1 ranked team in the country, 

http://www.gotsport.com/rankings/team.aspx?TeamID=5697  Regulation ended in a tie. They played 2 5 min halves and no one scored, so it went to Penalty Kicks. Both teams scored on their first 3 kicks and both teams missed the net on their fourth kick and then came MJ's Shining moment when he dove and saved the PK, our guy scored on his kick and they were the CHAMPS!!!!http://www.t7sports.com:8080/2005/k124209.htm Vulcan Cup Result U16 Gold Division

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=s7o79k5.94a1wgzx&x=0&y=bjavkq Photos from the Vulcan Cup

They are now ranked #1 in the state of Colorado at U16 www.gotsport.com/rankings/team.aspx?teamid=17356

Below, their visit to Jacksonville, FL two weeks earlier where they won 3 and lost 1. Their only loss was to the #3 team in the country at U16.

-Link to some of Dale's PHOTOS ....

Here is a link to some of my favorite photos ...

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=s7o79k5.aul89vct&x=0&y=82dnrq

-Coop and I Visit Canyonlands & Arches Nat'l Park in Utah Feb 2008

Coop checking out the view at sunrise.











My brother Coop and I headed out to the desert in the winter for some winter camping to see what it was like in the desert with some snow. We did an 8.6 mile hike in The Needles District of Canyonlands Nat'l Park, the Chesler Park lasso loop hike. What a great weekend. It got below freezing every night so it got a little cold sleeping but we made it through and it was well worth it. The views were awesome and the snow-covered La Sals were looking better than ever.
Check this link for some photos from the trip, I'll let the pictures tell the story,
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=s7o79k5.al2p97nx&x=0&y=b50ar3

-Grand Tetons and Yellowstone Nat'l Parks Sept 2007

The wolves and the cow elk having their stand off.

Over Labor Day Weekend of 2007 I traveled to Grand Tetons and Yellowstone Nat'l Park.  The view of the Grand Tetons were amazing but the highlight of the trip was seeing the wolves in Yellowstone.  I was at the overlook a Hayden Valley for 6 hours and finally the last 2 hours the wolves came out and had chased a cow elk and her calf into the river.  The alpha male and female wolf watched from the top of the hill, while the 4 wolf pups made runs at the cow elk.  She held them off until it got dark.  I didn't get a close up photo but I found one on the web that sums up what I was watching, see above.  Other wildlife I saw on the trip was a black bear sow with 2 cubs, a bull moose, antelope, many buffalo, coyote, an osprey.  What an awesome trip.

I'll let the pictures tell the story,

Dale's Photos from Grand Tetons Nat'l Park,

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=s7o79k5.9cyivo2p&x=0&y=-suwieu 

Dale's Photos from Yellowstone Nat'l Park,

 http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=s7o79k5.95cthvi9&x=0&y=322ywz

Dale's Photos of Old Faithful in Yellowstone, 

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=s7o79k5.b4rmmkch&x=0&y=-bwcd05

Hayden Valley Overlook where I watched the wolves and the stand off with the cow elk.

The classic photo of the Snake River and the Grand Tetons

Lower Falls in Yellowstone Nat'l Park

Herd of Buffalo in Yellowstone Nat'l Park

The Grand Tetons

-Love to play: Eastern Iowa baseball is what the game is all about

Ball and Glove at Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville, IA

Monday, September 30, 2002 

---

Major League Baseball, who cares? 
Love to play: Eastern Iowa baseball is what the game is all about

by DALE KLEIN 
I realize MLB averted another strike, but I couldn't have cared less if it did strike. They cut it too close and again have taken it too far.

One reason I would not have missed it is because I get my baseball fix via the Telegraph Herald Web site sports section. There is nothing like the baseball that is played back in eastern Iowa. Whether it be semi-pro, college or high school baseball, it's played in its purest form.

These people play the game because they love to play the game. It's that simple.

These are people you work with and can relate to as our parents could with the baseball players of the past.

To relate to today's player, average salary of $2.4 million, we would have to be lucky enough to win the lottery and, when cashing in the ticket, utter, "It's not about the money."

I remember growing up, with the Balltown baseball field in my back yard. Thinking back, I can't remember a day we didn't play ball. We didn't call each other to get a game together, we just naturally all went to the field knowing that others would be there to play. When it rained, we would take the game to our basement and use anything we could that wouldn't break the windows, with the exception of one time. The ball might be a sock, a newspaper wrapped with tape, or that softball-shaped thing that mom used to scrub the baked-on food in the bottom of pans before there were non-stick surfaces. The bat could be a stick, broom handle, pool cue or our hands if nothing else was available. One way or another, we were going to play baseball or something that resembled it based on what we had and where we were.

There is nothing like the semi-pro league in eastern Iowa around the Dubuque area. After playing for Balltown, I played several years in a semi-pro league for the Waterloo Merchants while attending the University of Northern Iowa. Don't get me wrong, it was very competitive, but not every little town had a team like they do near Dubuque.

I just want to thank the TH for putting all the semi-pro scores on the Web site because it is still very fun to follow from a distance. Seeing the names I used to play against and the new names from the high schools and colleges finding a roster spot to play when their season ends is what it's all about.

About 10 years ago, I moved out of Iowa to Colorado. I wasn't able to find a similar league out here either, and after several years, softball didn't seem to provide enough of a challenge. So I traded my spikes for hiking boots, as did my younger brother, Jeff ("Coop"), now living in San Dimas, Calif. It's not baseball, but hiking to the top of a 14,000 foot peak (I've completed 11 of Colorado's 54) has its challenges and can be equally as satisfying as winning the Dyersville tournament (I was on the 1983 Balltown team that beat the Dubuque Merchants, 12-9, for the championship).

On a recent trip this summer, Jeff and I hiked to the summit of Colorado's highest peak, Mount Elbert. At 14,440 feet, Mount Elbert also is the second-highest peak in the lower 48 states. The hike was 7.6 miles round trip, with 4,000 feet of elevation gain (very steep). We made it up to the summit in about four hours. We refueled our bodies with Cliff bars and Gatorade, took in the incredible views and rested a bit.

Dale and Jeff on the summit of Colorado's highest peak, Mount Elbert 

Then I looked at my brother and in my best Kevin Costner voice said, "Hey, you wanna have a catch."

He replied, "Of course."

With that we opened our backpacks, pulled out our gloves and had a catch at 14,440 feet. We received a few crazy looks, but most of the people nodded in approval as if to be swept back to their childhood playing days - wishing they had brought their gloves to the summit, too.

Baseball is something that will always be with me no matter where I am because of the love I had for playing the game growing up - not because of any MLB player of the past, present or uncertain future.

The reason we played catch on the summit was to thank the fans that followed and supported us, the coaches that coached us, the people we competed against, the teammates we played with, Mom and Dad, who made it all possible, and to remember the incredible amount of fun we had playing the game.

If you're from eastern Iowa, don't ever worry about losing MLB to a strike, just focus on the wonderful, competitive game of semi-pro baseball you will always have, played by the people you really know.

When's the next old-timers game?

Klein, 36, was born in Balltown, Iowa, and is a former left-handed pitcher and centerfielder for the 1984 Fall State runner-up Leo High Rockets and Balltown semi-pro baseball teams. Currently, he is an inside-sales rep for SpectraLink Corp. in Boulder, Colo.

Copyright 2002 Telegraph Herald

1984 Fall State runner-up Leo High Rockets

1983 Balltown Dyersville Tournament Champions

-14ers & 13ers I have Hiked

Me on the summit of Mount Massive

14ers I’ve been on top of and the order they were completed.

1.  GRAYS PEAK 9/1/96 (CO Ranking 9)

14,270 ft, 8 miles 3,040 ft of elevation gain.  Joe, Robert and Catherine along on the hike. 

 2.  TOREYS PEAK 8/9/97 (CO Ranking 11)

14,267 ft, 8 miles 3,037 ft of elevation gain.  W/ Todd Wiese on the “snowfield of death”, Garfield.  

3-6.  DEMOCRAT, CAMERON, LINCOLN, & BROSS 8/14/99

(CO Ranking 29, 17, 8, 22) Did this w/ Darrin Oschner and Todd Kranz

14,148 ft, 14,238 ft, 14,286 ft, 14,172 ft, 7 miles, 3,600 ft of elevation gain. 

Colorado Classic Hike  www.14ers.com/routeprt.php?route=bros6&peak=Democrat,%20Lincoln,%20Bross

*  MOUNT EVANS 9/6/99 (CO Ranking 14)

14,264 ft, Drove up with MJ and hiked the last 200 yds

7.  QUANDARY PEAK 7/14/01 w/ Russ, Luke, Dan, Allison, & Tajemoto

14,265 ft, 5.4 miles, 3,370 ft of elevation gain (CO Ranking 13) lots of clouds

8/18/06 w/ SpectraLink Sales & Marketing 14,265 ft, 6.75 miles, 3,450 ft of elevation gain

8.  MOUNT BIERSTADT 7/28/01 (CO Ranking 38)

14,060 ft, 6 miles, 2,770 ft of elevation gain

With Scott Breichle, helped Louise down as she broke both bones in her arm

9.  MOUNT MASSIVE 6/22/02 with Luke Swanson (CO Ranking 2)

14,421 ft, 6.2 miles, 3,960 ft of elevation gain.  2^nd highest peak in CO, 3^rd in the lower 48 states.  8hrs.  www.14ers.com/routeprt.php?route=mass2&peak=Mt.%20Massive

10.  MOUNT ELBERT 7/14/02 w/ Coop, Robert, Kyle, & Ashley (CO Ranking 1)

14,440 ft, 7.6 miles, 4,000 ft of elevation gain.  Highest Peak in CO, 2^nd in the lower 48 states.  7.5 hrs Played catch  http://www.14ers.com/routeprt.php?route=elbe2&peak=Mt.%20Elbert  

11. MOUNT SHERMAN  8/9/03 w/ Marc, Scott, Russ, Scott (CO Ranking 45)

14,036 ft, 7 miles, 2,700 ft of elevation gain.  Also did 13er Gemini Peak 13,951 ft.    Saw a porcupine and a weasel

* 1 & 2 Grays and Torreys Combo  9/1/2005 w/ SpectraLink sales & marketing       (CO Ranking 9 & 11) 14,670 & 14,667 ft, 9 miles, 3,600 ft of elevation gain.  Grays is the highest peak on the Continental Divide in the US.  Saw Mountain Goats on the trail. www.14ers.com/routeprt.php?route=torr5&peak=Grays,%20Torreys

* QUANDARY PEAK 8/18/06 w/ SpectraLink Sales & Marketing 14,265 ft, 6.75 miles, 3,450 ft of elevation gain.

13ers I’ve been on top of and the order they were completed.

1.  MOUNT AUDOBON 7/4/00 solo & 8/12/06 Russ & Taylor Helt, Marc Ciufolo (Colorado rank 457) 13,223 ft, 8 miles, 2,743 ft of elevation gain Colorado Classic Hike

2.  JAMES PEAK 7/1/01 with Coop (Colorado Ranking 403)

13,294 ft, 7 miles, 2,187 ft of elevation gain

3.  GEMINI PEAK 8/9/03 w/ Scott Briechle & Faust, Russ Helt, & Marc Ciufolo

13,941 ft, 7 miles, 2,700 ft of elevation gain.  Saw a weasel & a porcupine.  Ranking 62 in Colorado.  (completed on the 14er Mt. Sherman hike) 

4.  GRIZZLY PEAK 0/0/04 w/ Darrin Oschner (Loveland Pass area)

13,427 ft, 7 miles, 2,500 ft of elevation gain.  Very cloudy and overcast.

* MOUNT AUDOBON 8/12/06 Russ & Taylor Helt, Marc Ciufolo (Colorado rank 457)

13,223 ft, 8 miles, 2,743 ft of elevation gain Colorado Classic Hike

Me on the summit of Mount Elbert, Colorado's Highest Peak.  Mt Massive in the background.

Me on the way up to complete Gray's (left) and Torreys (right) 14er combo

Me on the summit of Quandary Peak, holding up 2 fingers on Grays (right) and Torreys (left) peaks

Me on the summit of Mount Bierstadt with the trailhead far below on the road.  Grays and Torreys peak in the upper right.

Me on the summit of Grizzly Peak.

-Other Hikes of note I've Completed

Coop looking at the reflection in Isabelle Lake in the Rocky Mountains

Me in Zion National Park

Me after hiking up the West Wall of Waipp'o Valley on the Big Island of Hawaii

Me hiking on the Cedar Ridge Trail in the Grand Canyon

Picture of a dude on a hike to an active lava flow on the Big Island of Hawaii

OTHER HIKES and GET OUTS of NOTE…

1995 (1)

-VAIL DOWNHILL RIDE 9/1/95 w/ Coop & friends “No Fear” for them “Fear” me

1996 Hikes (5)

-MOUNT SANITAS 9/15/96 with MJ 4 yrs old

MJ’s first HIKE, 4 ½ yrs old, 2.5 miles 1,200 ft of elevation gain

http://www.totalboulder.com/resources/63.html

-HALL RANCH 9/28/96 with MJ

-HARNEY PEAK 7/6/96 also on 6/24/00

7,242 ft, 6 miles, 1,100 ft of elevation gain.  South Dakota State High Point

****Got me started hiking Coop, Steve Fairley, Darrin and Scott Oschner also w/ Herms

http://www.geocities.com/south_dakota01/harneypeak.html

-MESA TRAIL SOUTH TRAILHEAD loop 10/20/96 with MJ 3.4 miles

-SOUTH BOULDER PEAK 11/10/96 with Coop

8,549 ft, 8 miles, 2,900 ft of elevation gain. “Work Hard, Play Hard”

http://www.totalboulder.com/resources/68.html

1997 Hikes (6)

-HALLS RANCH RIDE 4/17/97 with Joe Baggett

-WALKER RANCH RIDE 4/19/97 with Joe Baggett http://www.totalboulder.com/resources/62.html

-VEEDABOO, WY RIDE 5/26/97 snowing sideways with Craig and Joe

-PEACEFUL VALLEY RIDE 6/7/97 with Joe, First Header over the handle bars

-EAGLE POINT PARK 6/16/97 with MJ and Mom

http://www.dbq.com/parks/eagle.html

-GRAND TRAVERSE RIDE VAIL 8/25/97 Coop & Missy in Vail

http://vail.snow.com/popup.summer.biketrails.asp

1998 Hikes (4)

-MCULLOUGH GULCH 8/15/98 below Quandary w/ Robert & Herms 7-8 miles

-HORSETOOTH 9/27/98 in Fort Collins solo

http://www.angelfire.com/film/beyondthewall/horsetooth.html

-QUARRY HIKE from NCAR in the snow Ansel Adams 12/20/98 solo

-ANNE U. WHITE  12/26/98 w/ Herms 6,600 ft, 1.5 miles, 560 ft of elevation gain

1999 Hikes (17)

-GREEN MOUNTAIN 1/17/99 with Darrin

5,800 ft, 3 miles, 1,400 ft of elevation gain http://www.totalboulder.com/resources/69.html

-*“HOW TO” CAMPING TRIP with Darrin 5/28-5/30/99 near Red Feathers, Walden, Moose, Grand Lake, Lake Granby, Rollinsville Duct tape bumper.

-BEAR LAKE 6/20/99 9,475 ft, .5 mile, 0 ft gain, with MJ in Rocky Mt NP

-ALBERTA FALLS 6/20/99 9,400 ft, 2.2 miles, 160 ft of elevation gain, w/ MJ in RMNP http://www.coloradoguide.com/recreation/Detail.CFM?Trekking__ID=2567

-ST. MARY’S GLACIER 6/26/99 with MJ

http://hikingincolorado.org/stmary.html

-1^ST CAMPING TRIP 7/2/99 Turquiose Lake, Balltown, CO Independence Pass, -Maroon Bells, Paonia State Park, Black Canyon, Needle Rock, over Grand Mesa

-MALLORY CAVE 8/29/99 with Mark Herman 6,820 ft, 2.2 miles, 740 ft of elevation gain

http://www.totalboulder.com/resources/66.html

-OUZEL FALLS 9/11/99 with Darrin

9,450 ft, 5.4 miles, 950 ft of elevation gain Colorado Classic Hike

http://www.aria-database.com/waterfall/fallsmonth/10-00.html

-PIKES PEAK STATE PARK, EFFIGY MOUNDS Nat’l Mon. 10/4/99 Mom & Dad

-CRYSTAL LAKE CAVE, MINES OF SPAIN, LITTLE MAQ. MOUNDS, JULIEN -DUBUQUE’S GRAVE 10/5/99 with Coop

-BACKBONE STATE PARK 10/6/99 with Coop & Greg

-GEORGE WYTH STATE PARK 10/8/99 Day of Coop & Missy’s wedding

-VALLEY STATE PARK Maryland 11/6/99 solo

-ROXBOROUGH STATE PARK 11/13/99 Short hike w/ MJ & Marisa

-GARDEN OF THE GODS 12/18/99 solo Great Photo day

-NYMPH LAKE in the snow 12/24/99 with MJ ½ mile

-DINOSAUR RIDGE 12/31/99 with MJ

2000 Hikes (21)

-ROYAL ARCH 1/22/00 with Herms 6,950 ft, 3 miles, 1,270 ft of elevation gain

http://www.totalboulder.com/resources/57.html

-PAWNEE BUTTES 1/23/00 solo

5,200 ft, 3 miles, 220 ft of elevation gain, Colorado Classic Hike

-CASTLEWOOD CANYON STATE PARK 1/29/00 with MJ

http://parks.state.co.us/Castlewood/trails.asp

-SEVEN FALLS, GARDEN OF THE GODS 2/20/00 with MJ

-SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN & BUMMER’S ROCK 2/26/00 with MJ

-COLORADO NAT’L MONUMENT 4/19/00 solo rim drive

-ARCHES Nat’l Park, DELICATE ARCH, 4/20/00 3 miles 480 ft gain

-LANDSCAPE ARCH   w/ Coop & Missy

-CAMP AT HATCH POINT 4/21/00

-CAPITOL REEF Nat’l Park 4/21/00 drove thru on the way to Bryce

-BRYCE CANYON Nat’l Park 4/21/00 with Coop and Missy

-ZION Nat’l Park 4/23/00 with Coop and Missy

-MESA VERDE Nat’l Park 4/24/00 solo

-GREAT SAND DUNES Nat’l Park 4/24/00 solo

-BLACK CANYON of the GUNNISON Nat’l Park south rim 6/17/00 solo saw a bobcat

-DEVIL’S TOWER Nat’l Monument 6/25/00 with Herms

-MOUNT AUDOBON 7/4/00 solo (Colorado ranking 457)

13,223 ft, 8 miles, 2,700 ft of elevation gain Colorado Classic Hike

http://gorp.com/gorp/publishers/pruett/hik_bldr.htm

-LAKE ISABELLE 7/8/00 with MJ 10,838 ft, 7 miles, 317 ft of elevation gain and beyond

-ARAPAHO PASS 8/12/00 with Robert 11,906 ft, 3 miles, 1,785 ft of elevation gain

-RATTLESNAKE GULCH TRAIL 11/4/00 with MJ Eldorado SP

http://www.totalboulder.com/resources/67.html

2001 Hikes (11)

-ST. JOHN’S VIRGIN ISLANDS 5/7/2001 Snorkel at Waterlemon Cay, sea kayak, Ram’s head hike  “Get Up, Get Out and Do Something”

-RIFLE FALLS, STEAMBOAT & PEARL LAKE STATE PARKS 5/25/01 with MJ “This is the most beautiful State Park Ever!” –MJ   We saw a pine martin, Tombstone & Sunrise Vista Trail http://parks.state.co.us/Rifle_Falls/environment.asp

-JAMES PEAK 7/1/01 with Coop (Colorado Ranking 403) 

13,294 ft, 7 miles, 2,187 ft of elevation gain

-ADAMS FALLS and beyond 7/5/01

Did with MJ, Coop, Missy, Joe, Lynn, Aaron, and Aimee in RMNP

-FOREST LAKES 7/21/01 with MJ

10,680 ft, .5 miles, -320 ft decent Wildflowers everywhere

-CANYONLANDS Nat’l Park DRUID ARCH & CHELSER PARK 9/1/01 solo

12.6 miles, 7 ½ hours http://home.earthlink.net/~rigibson/druid.html

 -CANYONLANDS Nat’l Park 9/2/01 solo

several short hikes in the Island in the sky, Mesa Arch, Upheaval Dome, etc.

-PIKES PEAK SP, WYALUSING SP, YELLOW RIVER FOREST 10/8/01

-BALD MT. & PINES TO PEAKS 12/23/01 solo 7,161 ft, 1 mile, 240 ft of elev. gain

-WHITE ROCKS 12/23/01 solo 5,415 ft, 6 miles, 305 ft of elevation gain

-BEAR PEAK 12/24/01 solo 8,461 ft, 5 mile, 2,861 ft elevation gain

2002 Hikes (24)

-49 PALMS 3 miles in JOSHUA TREE NAT’L PARK 1/25/02 with Coop

http://cs.lasierra.edu/~wclarke/jt/49palms.html

-RYAN MOUNTAIN 5,461 ft, 3 miles, 1/26/02 with Coop

-WAIPI’O VALLEY 4/21/02 4 miles, 900 ft elevation gain, with Scott Briechle

-VOLCANO NP KILEAUA IKI CRATER 4/26/02 4 miles, 400 ft elevation gain

-GREEN SAND BEACH 4/26/02 5 miles with Scott Briechle

-BARR LAKE State Park 5/4/02 5 miles with MJ

-DOUDY DRAW 5/5/02 solo (several times this year)

6,220 ft, 6.6 miles, 540 ft of elevation gain 1 hr 45 mins.

-CASTLEWOOD CANYON State Park HIKE 5/18/02 with MJ

6,600 ft, 6 miles, -400 ft, Colorado Classic Hike

http://parks.state.co.us/Castlewood/trails.asp

-MUELLER State Park OUTLOOK RIDGE HIKE 5/25/02 with MJ 

http://parks.state.co.us/Mueller/trails.asp

-FLORRISSANT FOSSIL BEDS Nat’l Monument BOULDER CREEK 5/25/02 MJ 8,550 ft, 3.2 miles, 150 ft of elevation gain Colorado Classic Hike

-BEAR, NYMPH, DREAM, & EMERALD LAKE 6/1/02 with MJ in RMNP

10,080 ft, 3.6 miles, 605 ft of elevation gain Colorado Classic Hike

http://www.coloradoguide.com/recreation/Detail.CFM?Trekking__ID=2564

-GEM LAKE 6/8/02 with MJ in Rocky Mountain Nat’l Park

8,830 ft, 4 miles, 1,090 ft of elevation gain, did some cool rock hopping as well

http://www.mtnds.com/hikes/mrh/mrh10.html

-HALLETTS PEAK and FLATTOP MOUNTAIN 6/29/02 solo in RMNP

12,713 ft & 12,324 ft, 10 miles, 3,250 feet of elevation gain.  Colorado Classic Hike

-HANGING LAKE & SPOUTING ROCK 7/18/02 MJ, Coop, Joe, Lynn, A & Aimee

7,250 ft, 2.4 miles, 1,150 ft of elevation gain.  Colorado Classic Hike

http://www.wiu.edu/users/mfbhl/hanging-lake.htm

-PAWNEE PASS 7/20/02 attempted w/ Coop

12,550 ft, 9.2 miles, 2,030 ft of elevation gain. 

Made it about 11,700 ft, 7 miles, 1,180 ft of elevation gain before we had to turn back in a BB-sized hail storm.  http://gorp.com/gorp/publishers/pruett/hik_bld3.htm

-CARPENTER PEAK & SOUTH RIM TRAIL  9/14/02 solo at Roxborough State Park

7,200 ft, 9.5 miles, 2,000 ft of elevation gain.

-Gunnison Route into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison 9/20/02 w/ Robert

3 miles, 1,800 ft down and back up.

-BIERSTADT LAKE RMNP 10/5/02 w/ MJ

9,416 ft, 3.0 miles, 566 ft of elevation gain.  Elk bugling, aspens yellow, Hallets and Longs in a clouded shadow with snow, Ansel Adams-like.

-ARTHUR’S ROCK Lory State Park 10/19/02 w/ MJ after his soccer game

7,000 ft, 3.4 miles, 1,400 ft of elevation gain.

-DEER MOUNTAIN RMNP 11/16/02 solo elk and big mule deer

10,010 ft, 6 miles, 1080 ft of elevation gain.

http://www.mtnds.com/hikes/mrh/mrh11.html

-FOUNTAIN VALLEY/LYONS LOOP Roxborough State Park 11/28/02 solo

6,200 ft, 2.25 miles, no elevation gain.  Colorado Classic Hike.

Lots of mule deer and “Prayer of Jabez” Chatfield State Park and sunset photos.

-PAWNEE BUTTES 11/29/02 solo to the top of the East Butte.

5,420 ft, 3 miles, no elevation gain.    Colorado Classic Hike

2003 Hikes (16)

-LANDSCAPE, WALL, PARTITION, NAVAJO, & DOUBLE O ARCH 3/15/03

w/ MJ ARCHES NP 4.2 miles, minimal elevation gain.

-DELICATE ARCH 3/15/03 w/ MJ ARCHES NP 3 miles, 480 ft elevation gain.

-BROKEN ARCH 3/16/03 w/ MJ .8 miles Arches NP

-WHALE ROCK 3/16/03 w/ MJ CANYONLAND NP 1 mile, 300 ft elevation gain

-MESA ARCH 3/16/03 w/ MJ .5 mile Canyonland

-SAND DUNE ARCH w/ MJ .5 mile Arches

-DOUBLE ARCH w/ MJ .5 mile Arches

-WINDOWS/TURRET ARCH LOOP 3/17/03 w/ MJ 1.25 miles

-GREEN MT WEST RIDGE TRAIL 4/13/03 solo

8,144 ft., 2.8 miles, 600 ft. of elevation gain

-DRY CREEK TRAIL FRONT RANGE – 132^nd  solo 4/20/03

5 miles, no elevation gain.

-THE CRAGS TRAIL  5/17/03 with MJ west side of Pikes Peak.

10,680 ft., 5miles, 640 ft of elevation gain.  Helped a Mom find her son & dude from TX.

-GREGORY CANYON & SADDLE ROCK 5/27/03 solo

7,050 ft., 5 miles, 1,250 ft of elevation gain.  

-VISTA GRANDE TRAIL  w/ MJ Sugarite SP New Mexico

8,050 ft., .5 miles, 150 ft of elevation gain.  MJ got nettles.  Called wild turkey.

-CAPULIN VOLCANO NAT’L MONUMENT w/ MJ into crater and around rim.

7,800 ft., 1.5 miles, 600 ft of elevation gain.  Hiking in the clouds.

-CLEAR CREEK CANYON TRAIL w/ MJ in Cimarron Canyon SP New Mexico.

7 miles, 1,000 ft. of elevation gain.  Hike of Enchantment, 4-5 waterfalls along the stream.

-SPRAGUE LAKE w/ MJ twice in RMNP .5 miles.

1 mile, no elevation gain.  Saw Baby ducks and elk calf with mother.

-ALBERTA FALLS, MILLS, LOCH, LAKE HAIYAHA, DREAM, NYMPH, & BEAR LAKE  w/ MJ in RMNP.  New Catch Phrase “Psyched to Hike”

10,220 ft, 10 miles, 1,340 ft of elevation gain.  Hard Trail finding in the snow, ptarmigan chasing us, and sketchy snow fields on the way down to dream lake.

-SQUARE TOP LAKES w/ MJ below Square Top Mountain on Guanella Pass.

5 miles, 1,500 ft of elevation gain.

-STANLEY MOUNTAIN solo near Berthoud Pass.

12,521ft, 7 miles, 1,200 ft of elevation gain.  Blue grouse

-FISH CREEK FALLS solo near Steamboat Springs.  Around the falls & to Upper Falls.

5 miles, 1,000 ft. of elevation gain.  280 foot falls, the Coors beer can falls. 

-HANGING ROCK with Coop at Effigy Mounds NM near Harpers Ferry, IA.

7.5 miles, 500 ft. of elevation gain.  Great views of the Mississippi River.

-Maquoketa Caves w/ Coop & MJ.

2 miles, 100 ft. of elevation gain.  Neat caves in limestone rock

-GEMINI PEAK 8/9/03 w/ Scott Briechle & Faust, Russ Helt, & Marc Ciufolo

14,036 & 13,941 ft, 7 miles, 2,700 ft of elevation gain.  Saw a weasel & a porcupine.

2004 hikes

-CUB LAKE  6/13/04 solo 5 miles, 540 ft of elev. gain.

-ST. LOUIS LAKE  6/26/04 solo 6 miles, 1500 ft of elev. gain, 11,531 ft.

-LAKE ISABELLE 9/4/04 w/ Scott Briechle 5 miles, 388 ft elev. Gain, 10,868

-BARKER DAM 11/3/04 w/ Coop Joshua Tree NP 1.2 miles, 80 ft elev. Gain, 4,240

-WALL STREET MILL 11/3/04 w/ Coop J-Tree NP 1.2 miles, 50 ft elev. Gain, 4,300

2005 hikes

Thurston Lava Tube	0.08miles
Kilauea Iki	4.2miles
Active Lava Flow	7miles
Wapio Valley	3miles
Rattlesnake Canyon	3	miles
Independence Monument	6miles
Garden of the Gods	6miles
McColough Gulch	2miles
Nymph, Dream, and Lake Haiyaha	6	miles

-ROYAL GORGE 7/21/05 w/ MJ, I couldn’t walk across the bridge.  MJ did.

-GARDEN of the GODS 7/23/05 solo 6 miles, 250 feet, Siamese Twins, etc.

2006 Hikes

-SOUTH RIM and FOUNTAIN VALLEY LOOP 5/27/06 solo, Roxborough SP, 6 miles, 600 feet. 

-OUZEL FALLS 5/28/06 solo, RMNP, 6 miles, 950 ft gained to 9,450 feet Colorado Classic Hike

-GREENBELT PLATEAU/MARSHALL MESA 5/29/06 solo, Boulder 5.5 miles

-ARBOR LAKE 5/30/06 solo, Arvada saw Great Blue Heron

-MILLS LAKE & The LOCH 6/3/06 w/ Coop, RMNP, 7 miles, 2,200 ft gained to 10,180 ft.

-GREGORY CANYON & SADDLE ROCK 6/4/06 w/ Coop, Boulder, 5 miles, 1,390 ft gained to 7,050 ft.

-BEAR, NYMPH, DREAM, and EMERALD LAKE 6/13/06 solo, RMNP, 5.5 miles, 650 ft gained to 10,080 feet.

-POHLMAN PRAIRIE PRESERVE  w/ Coop & MJ, 1.1 mile goat prairie, Hot/Humid

-LITTLE MAQUOKOTA MOUNDS  w/ Coop & MJ, 1.0 mile, Hot/Humid

-BRIDAL VEIL FALLS Pike Peak SP w/ Coop 1 mile, doe and spotted fawn

-EFFIGY MOUNDS SOUTH UNIT w/ Coop 4 miles

-ROYAL ARCH 7/27/06 w/ Tim McCarn and DB Ellis, 3.2 miles, 1,500 ft gained

-MEDICINE BOW PEAK LOOP 7/29/06 solo, 10 miles, 1,813 ft gained to 12,013 ft.

-MOUNT AUDOBON 8/12/06 Russ & Taylor Helt, Marc Ciufolo (Colorado rank 457)

13,223 ft, 8 miles, 2,743 ft of elevation gain Colorado Classic Hike

http://gorp.com/gorp/publishers/pruett/hik_bldr.htm

QUANDARY PEAK 8/18/06 w/ SpectraLink Sales & Marketing 14,265 ft, 6.75 miles, 3,450 ft of elevation gain.

14 NATIONAL PARKS

Rocky Mountain CO

Volcano HI,

Virgin Island VI

Joshua Tree CA

Zion UT

Bryce Canyon UT

Canyonlands UT

Arches UT

Black Canyon of the Gunnison CO

Great Sand Dunes CO

Capitol Reef UT

Mesa Verde CO

Petrified Forest AZ

Grand Canon AZ

Grand Tetons WY

Yellowstone WY

9 NATIONAL MONUMENTS

Effigy Mounds IA

Devil’s Tower WY

Mount Rushmore SD

Colorado Nat’l Mon. CO

Florissant Fossil Beds CO

Puukohola Heiau HI

Pu uhonua o Honaunau (Place of Refuge) HI

Capulin Volcano New Mexico

Monument Valley AZ/UT

19 of 40 COLORADO STATE PARKS

Barbour Ponds

Barr Lake

Castlewood Canyon (Castle Rock

Crawford

Eldorado Canyon (Boulder)

Eleven Mile (Colorado Springs)

Golden Gate Canyon (Golden)

Harvey Gap (Rifle)

Mueller (Colorado Springs)

Paonia

Pearl Lake (Steamboat Springs)

Rifle Falls

Rifle Gap

Roxborough (Littleton)

State Forest (Walden)

Steamboat Lake

Yampa River Legacy

Lory State Park (Fort Collins)

Chatfield State Park (Littleton)

Other STATE PARKS

Yellow River Iowa

Pikes Pike Iowa

Blackhawk Iowa

George Wyth State Park Iowa

Backbone State Park Iowa

Maquoketa Caves State Park Iowa

Mines of Spain and E.B. Lyons Iowa

Wyalusing State Park Wisconsin

Valley State Park Maryland

Dead Horse Point State Park Utah

Sugarite State Park New Mexico

Cimarron Canyon State Park New Mexico

New Wine State Park New Vienna, Iowa