Mount Whitney

Six ridiculous chicks refusing to take anything too seriously on a mission to bring a bit of Colorado to California, conquering the tallest peak in the lower 48 while learning how to use wag bags, helping strangers in need, and making plenty of new friends along the way.

Sometimes you're in the exact right place with the exact right people, and beautiful memories are made. As they say, the magic is in the journey - not the destination. While in this case there was magic in everything. From buying ridiculous cat shirts at Walmart to nearly dying while driving through Death Valley to watching incredible strength at the finish line of the Badwater Ultramarathon to blowing bubbles on top of the world - the whole trip was a sparkling treasure that I will keep forever.

Conundrum Hot Springs

Conundrum Hot Springs: a magical place overrun by partying backpackers. 

What an incredibly stunning, picturesque, unique treasure that is currently trashed. We must have passed one hundred people - give or take - hiking out as we were hiking in. And I feel I should mention this was on a Thursday. We timed it right though, and had the hot spring to ourselves for almost an hour in the middle of the day during the transition of hikers departing and arriving. 

As night fell, every campsite in the vicinity filled up, as did the hot springs. Hopefully we can all learn to take care of the magical natural places that we love to visit and spend time in. 

Her Majesty, Sopris

We made a new fox friend. We wore tutus. We tried some ballet poses on the summit. We fed many mosquitoes. We got several blisters. We ate chocolate. We drank champagne.

Four Pass Loop

Ahh, the iconic Four Pass Loop! We set out to complete this 26 mile loop in 3 days, beginning at the Maroon Bells and hiking counter-clockwise over all four picturesque passes. While backpacking breathes an air of solitude, the Four Pass Loop surely did not. It is one of the most popular magical places I've backpacked in.

The trip seemed a lost cause when I woke up ill the night before our departure. It delayed our start significantly; however, by 11:00am we were hiking up toward Buckskin Pass in a misty drizzle before finding a campsite nestled in some trees just below the pass. We didn't make it far that first day, but listening to the rain hit the tent fly as afternoon turned into night was both healing and rejuvenating.

Each day thereafter consisted of snow crossings, pass climbing and a lot of rain. The low clouds blocked the views of distant peaks, but they cloaked the passes and meadows in still, quiet, eerie mystery.

On our last day, we awoke to blue skies. We welcomed the change in weather and as the sun recharged us, we made our way over West Maroon Pass - the final pass of the trip.