Pura Vida: Alpine Loop Part 2

Part 2 of our Alpine Loop adventure began on Engineer Pass. It would take us from Ouray to Lake City. As with the other passes, the views were amazing, and the drive was not too scary. Usually, I only get nervous when we are crawling over sharp boulders. I fear I am going to look out the window and see one of Bear's tires shredded. This pass was especially popular with Jeeps. We have seen Jeeps on every pass, but for some reason, maybe it was the day, we found ourselves in a line of close to 10 Jeeps.

Lots of Jeep Jeep love on Engineer Pass, no need to take a selfie.

We arrived in Lake City and checked in at our lodging, Cannibal Cabins. Yes, you read that correctly. When Ryan began to plan the Alpine Loop trip, he asked how I felt about camping the entire time, I told him 2 nights was my limit. So, that left him to find lodging in Lake City. Cannibal Cabins had availability, and the reviews were good. I could care less about the name, I wanted a shower and a toilet, indoors. But I did research Lake City, and I read about Alfred Packer, it all started to make since why Lake City has so many cannibal and Packer references.

http://www.lakecity.com/mountain-town-activities/historic-attractions/17-things-to-do/history/11-alferd-packer

Our main adventure while in Lake City was our first 14er climb. A 14er is a peak at or above 14,000ft. The U.S. has 96 fourteeners, and Colorado has the most of any state, 53. The San Juan Range, where we live in Southwest Colorado is home to 13 fourteeners. Uncompahgre Peak was our first 14er (elevation 14, 309ft), but will not be our last.

I am not even going to try and sugar coat the experience, my first 14er climb was brutal, it was ugly, and at one point (actually, many, many, points) through out the hike, I vowed I would never climb another 14 er again. I am by no means an expert hiker, but something was wrong with me the day we hiked Uncompahgre. It was about 1.5 miles into the hike up, around 12, 500 feet, that I started feeling off. Dizzy, nauseous. I had never experienced altitude sickness before, but that's what Ryan and I believe happened. The higher I climbed, the worse it got, but in my true stubborn fashion, I refused to give up. I am so thankful the weather held out. That is one of the fears with hiking 14ers, the weather changes rapidly, and it is always a push to the top, so you can hike out before bad weather moves in. Mother Nature was on my side (about time since she always makes in rain when we camp), she made sure it did not rain or storm, and after a very long hike, I finally made it to the top. Ryan and Henry were already at the top. I had told Ryan to go ahead, summit, just in case I was not able to make it.

Ryan and Henry at the summit. I was still somewhere along the climb up.

Family Photo at the top. I do plan to attempt another 14er. Hopefully the next time, the experience will not be so dizzying or nauseating.

After surviving the hike, we decided to take a recommendation from the manager of the cabins we were staying at and went on a moose hunt. Not literally, she told us of a place nearby that has frequent moose sightings. We were very fortunate to find 3 moose, and Henry greatly enjoyed the experience.

After two nights in Lake City, we said goodbye and began our last pass of the Alpine Loop, Cinnamon Pass. This pass would take us from Lake City to Silverton. Along the way, we passed American Basin, the location of two more 14ers, but we will have to save those hikes for a future adventure.

American Basin

We arrived in Silverton at the perfect time. The train was still there, waiting to depart for its return trip to Durango. This was the first time Henry experienced the train in Silverton. I love Silverton! It is an incredible town, it's cute, it's small, the people are nice, it's just all around my favorite place near Durango. My love for Silverton may have something to do with the fact it's the last town we see before many of our Jeeping and hiking adventures, and it's the first town we see after we survive our Jeep and hiking adventures. Avalanche Brewery is our go to place. The beers are fun, the pizza is delicious, it's the perfect place to relax after another Lang Family Adventure.

At Avalanche Brewery in Silverton.

We bought him a train whistle, of course he had to go blow his whistle at the train. All was fun and games until the train decided to blow it's whistle. :) Picture in the photo album.