Date: 5/12/2012
Who: Sammy and myself
Length: 7 miles
Time: 3.25 hours
Weather: 40-50 degrees, cloudy, foggy

Rain was in the forecast for today. But, when I woke up the doppler radar showed no precipitation anywhere in Southern Colorado. I packed up to get in a quick hike before the rain started. I chose a familiar trail so that I could make good time and not worry about route-finding. We hiked the same loop around Mt. Kineo which we hiked on 12/31/2011, plus the summit for an additional challenge. I got good use of equipment, with layers to keep warm, and gaiters to fend off water from wet grasses and bushes. Of course, I packed some rain gear, but it was not needed.

This hike follows the YELLOW line, including the summit:

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Date: 5/6/2012
Who: Sammy and myself
Length: 8 miles
Time: 4.75 hours
Weather: 45-75 degrees, partly cloudy

The weather was great for hiking today–warm enough for shorts, but cool enough to not overheat. It was my first hike of the year wearing shorts, which felt great. I should have started wearing them earlier. We made a loop of Stanley Canyon, Forest Road 303, Trail 713, and the Falcon Trail. Behind the big red water reservoir on Trail 713, I saw the trail which follows a ridge up to the summit of Blodgett Peak. I’ll have to come back sometime to try that one out. We only saw 3 groups of people today, and I definitely enjoyed the quiet.

This hike followed the BLUE line to Stanley Reservoir, then the RED line:

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