I’ve had the amazing opportunity to be in Aspen, Colorado this week. Aspen is a unique little town, with lots of personality, nestled in The Rocky Mountains along the Roaring Fork River. There are amazing restaurants, tons of outdoor activities and awesome shopping. It’s kind of known for being the playground for celebs-I haven’t seen any yet though. Sounds like the perfect place right? Aspen is at about 12,ooo ft above sea level so one of the challenges here to visitors is adapting to the altitude. I have had issues before so I have been chugging water by the gallon. So far so good. I was on a mission this week to try new activities and step out of my comfort zone a bit.
First up: Hiking the Hunter Creek Trail
Let’s just start by saying that I am not really a “hiker” and neither are my friends and hubby. We were told this was a “not to be missed experience”. My pictures do not do it justice. I wish I was a better photographer. It is absolutely breathtaking to see the mountains, the foliage and the rivers from this trail. You can see the famous Aspen trees below right. There is something so calming about hearing the water roar by. We set out at a moderate pace to tackle the trail. I was quickly reminded, by my glutes, that we were on a pretty steep terrain. Oh and did I mention the altitude? Being in cardio shape at sea level is quite different than at this height. It is very humbling to be gasping for air and feel your heart beat way faster than you expect. We hiked up a mostly shaded path for about 1 hr and 30 min to reach the top where we took the cut off to Smuggler Mountain to make our descent. We were a little quicker on the downhill and made it back in about 1 hr. Total hiking time about 2 1/2 hours. Having not done much hiking, I was instantly reminded how cardio intensive this was. Mix in the added altitude and you have quite a workout. According to SparkPeople, I burned over 1,200 calories on this hike. I’d say that chocolate chip cookie I had later was well deserved! Here are some of the amazing sights we saw along the way:
It was such a gorgeous day and an unbelievable way to see the town. This was certainly way different that my usual workouts and it was a tough one!
Do you like to hike? Have you experienced altitude issues?
Great picture of you! I get in a hike every once in awhile – including this weekend. It definitely works the body (what are you doing to meee) but the views are worth it!
The views were absolutely breathtaking!
Looks like a beautiful place! We aren’t hikers either…we don’t have much opportunities for that in the ‘burbs!
We don’t have much opportunity either but it was a blast and quite a workout
I love hiking, and I love Colorado, but I have horrendous altitude issues. I would be interested to go back and see what I am like now (because I am in better shape and not sick) but the last time I was in CO it wasn’t great…
I usually feel the altitude but this time I was ok until I started to run-lol
We lived in Colorado for 4 years. Our house was at 7,000 feet and I definitely had issues adjusting to the altitude. I wasn’t able to run as a matter of fact…the entire time. For some reason my body just couldn’t adjust to it. In fact, I didn’t even work out that much…eek! Looks like a beautiful vacation. I’ve actually never made it up to Aspen. It was always on my bucket list of things to do when we lived there, but it just didn’t happen.
Beaauuuutttiiifffulllll pictures! Wow, what a way to spend a weekend! I did a little hiking and a lot of running when I was in Colorado, and yeah, it was tough to get your breath back once you lost it. Two years at college we had nationals at altitude, that was ROUGH!!! A 10k especially, that about killed me, but I survived, and finished 4th too 🙂
yep that 10k almost killed me! Now I know why prof athletes train there it’s tough!
Looks gorgeous! I love hiking and can’t wait to experience Colorado myself in September.
You will have a great time! Just know that running there is a tough endeavor!
Wow, that hike looks beautiful! I’ve never been to Colorado but it’s definitely on the list. I love hiking and hiking with friends was one of the highlights of my trip to LA last year.
It’s a beautiful place to visit and so many activities to do!
Gorgeous! I’m a total chicken when it comes to hiking. I can run on sidewalks and flat roads for days, but being out in a natural environment just seems so much more challenging. My best friend lives in Colorado…one of these days I’ll have to be brave and go hiking with her. 🙂
It was really challenging in a good way and a much better workout than I expected. I will be posting about my run there tomorrow-it was a killer!
GORGEOUS! I LOVE Aspen!! I wish I had had time to go for some hikes when I was there (I was just passing through briefly though).
It is so beautiful that my pics really didn’t do it justice. There is so much to do there and everyone is so fit.
I adore Colorado … it’s the one place in the world where I can truly relax. The hike looks amazing!
Aspen looks beautiful. I have never been out to Colorado but always wanted to visit, preferably in the summer:)
The winter is nice but the summer is just gorgeous! Hope you get there one day 🙂
I LOVE hiking!! I actually was in Aspen recently to work the Ragnar Trail Snowmass race expo. It is so beautiful – I would love to go back someday with my husband!
I can’t imagine doing the Ragnar there it must be a killer!
Beautiful! What a great experience!
It was gorgeous and a great experience thanks for stopping by!
Gorgeous pictures! Looks like an amazing place to hike. I love to go hiking and usually go in the Adirondacks, it’s a lovely place to explore in the Fall!
That sounds nice too! I do like but don’t have many opportunities to do it
gorgeous! i hope you are having the best best time!!
Thanks we really did!
Beautiful pictures! My hubby was a ski instructor many moons ago in Aspen and loved the area. We went a couple of years ago to Keystone so he could teach me how to ski- I am not a natural! I would rather hike! and go during the summer! Looks like a nice trip!
Summer is more beautiful there in my opinion-you have to get him to take you back.
oh I love to hike, but I haven’t been in ages. This trail looks just amazing! I can’t imagine trying to hike in that altitude, though. You must be in great shape!
ha it was challenging but really gorgeous and a great way to see the area.
Pics are amazing– Getting to colorado is on my bucket list– so beautiful
It was gorgeous-my pics don’t do it justice. Hope you get there too!
Oh, gorgeous! I haven’t been to Aspen in decades — definitely time to go back!
It’s really beautiful my pics don’t do it justice
Love hiking!! I’ve been to Aspen once and thought it was great. Even did one of the 14’ers in Colorado, Mt. Elbert. So glad you got to experience such a beautiful hike!
It was really an awesome experience so beautiful. Hiking was great running there was tough
GORGEOUS photos and what an amazing hike! 🙂
It was amazing-I really enjoyed