Clear Creek Ranch, Colorado Day 4

Brent and I (Drew) took out early this morning (Tuesday) after the top of Mt Belford.  At 14,197 feet it is Colorado's 18th highest peak. The trailhead, as seen below, started at Missouri Gulch and went 3.5 miles or so with a gain of 4,500 feet--- it was quite steep.

Brent and I after the hike.

As this picture shows, Mt Oxford is just beyond Belford, but unfortunately I was on a strict time deadline and unable to go for both today.

 This is the junction of Mt. Belford and Elkhead pass trail.  The tall peak in the center of the picture was our destination.  We were just making our way above treeline here.

 The trail had numerous nicely graded switchbacks but maintained an average gradient of about 20%.  Not nearly as many rocks on this trail as there were yesterday on Quandary Peak, which made for much easier running down the mountain.

 Looking back down from halfway up as the sun was coming over the peaks.

 Panoramic view from the summit.  After making it to the top in 2 hours and 20 minutes,  the views were amazing. Surprisingly, I was able to run back down most of the trail and made it back in 1 hour and 12 minutes.

 Looking east towards Mt. Oxford

 Another view from the summit with a trail leading south off the summit.

As Drew mentioned, he was on a strict time schedule today. The moms were headed to Aspen for an afternoon at the spa, and he made sure he was not late getting back so we could leave on time. He made it down the mountain before Brent, so Jeff, Drew and the kids headed back to the trailhead to pick up Brent.

Kids playing at the trailhead signs while waiting on Brent.

The ranch has a beautiful trout stream running through it.

The kids played very hard yesterday while the moms were away! They have all played really well together, and I praise God for that blessing.

 The views from the ranch are simply amazing. The mountains and the different topopgrahical region we are experiencing make me continuously thank God for the beauty He has provided for us.

 This is the view from the small pond on the ranch property.

Another view of the mountains and the trout stream. 

On our way to the spa in Aspen, we drove on a very scenic, beautiful road. It had some of the best mountain views I've seen in a car. This picture (me, Amy Adkerson & Amy Fountain) is overlooking the valley we just drove through.

A gorgeous view of that same valley. You can see the road we drove to get to the top of the mountain.

 We stopped at Independence Pass to enjoy the view again. It was truly a gorgeous day! I'm not sure why, but I did not take any pictures of us at the spa. I'm actually mad at myself for forgetting to do that! When we got to Aspen, we found a local deli and ate lunch, shopped for a bit and then enjoyed our appointments at the spa. It was a wonderful day for everyone, and I am really having one of the best vacations I've ever had!