Red Rocks and Family

Sunday Brian and I had been invited to my cousin's house out here for dinner. He lives in Broomfield so we were going a little ways from our place to get there and decided to take advantage of going by Red Rocks to stop and see the amphitheater. It was a super cloudy and threatening rain day but it was still fun to see this place that pulls everyone in. I couldn't believe all the people running/exercising.

 Brian and I tried to get creative and say what some of the rocks looked like. The one below Brian thought looked like an Indian with a headdress or a lion while I thought it looked like a ship sinking. What do you think?

It was a fun relaxing day that was made better seeing and getting to know family that I haven't seen in a while since they live in Colorado. We had some great steaks, Brian got a cute little girl that wanted to just flirt with him, I got to hold the smilest bluest eyed baby, and we got to hear all about the Rockies from a very knowledgeable 5 year old. It was the perfect Sunday!!

Aspen and Hanging Lake

Once again we had a fantastic time enjoying the weekend. We were told that Aspen was definitely a place to make sure we saw before we left Colorado. So Brian asked a few more questions with his co-workers and we were told that we needed to see Independence Pass, Maroon Bells in Aspen, and Hanging Lake.
So Friday morning we got up early, got ready, packed a few snacks, and took off. We knew the general way to Aspen via Independence Pass but got a little lost. We actually drove about 20 miles past the turn off when we figured it out. This put us a little behind schedule but we made it work and just went with the flow anyway.
Once we got to Aspen we found parking (which was ridiculous since they charged for everywhere to park), we then walked to the bus transit, got our tickets, ran to the Big Wrap, got some really delicious wraps (I got one with turkey breast, raspberry mustard, sprouts, and a few other things and Brian got a pesto chicken wrap), then caught the free bus to the Maroon Bells station, and finally the tour bus up to the park. The bus ride up was really informative since the explained a lot of the history of the Bells and the area surrounding it. The reason why you have to get bussed up is to save the environment since they get so many visitors a day. The bells are named after their maroon color that comes from the rocks being exposed to the air and moisture.
After we got there we jumped on the trails and headed to Carter Lake. We cruised up the mountain and then back down to Maroon Lake. It was such a pretty place with a ton of beautiful wild flowers.

On the drive to Aspen we saw a lot of pretty things and just had to stop to take a picture of the beautiful lake that had stream coming off it, it looked so cool when we first saw it before the sun rose up to view.

The Maroon Bells

Maroon Lake

On the trail and almost there

Crater lake

We were super close to the Bells

So pretty

Aspens the reason for the town's name

Playing on the bridge and making faces

Beautiful Butterflies

Glimpse of Maroon Lake from the Scenic Loop

The water was so clear.

 After we finished hiking the Maroon Bells we jumped on the next bus back down to the Maroon Station, onto the free bus, walked back to our car, and headed to Glenwood Springs. Brian was told that he needed to go to Aspen on Independence Pass but to go home the Glenwood Springs way because we had to make sure we hit Hanging Lake. 
You can only get to Hanging Lake coming from the east. It has its own exit that pulls right into the parking lot. As we were on our way there the sign told us the lot was full but I told Brian to try to go anyway and it was funny we pulled in and the lot was empty. Seriously it help probably close to 100 cars and there were maybe 20. We found a parking spot, jumped out of the car, hit the bathroom, and got on the trail. It was already almost five and everyone said it was easily a two hour trail since it was all uphill.

Exit sign just a few exits before the Hanging Lake Exit, I love the name.

They actual have a caution sign at the base of the trail.

Although it was all uphill and rocky, it was like climbing up a gigantic staircase over and over again.

 We were pleasantly surprised that although it was uphill it was all staircased. Although that didn't help our screaming muscles. This was our 2nd hike of the day going straight uphill and we were trying to go fast. Although our muscles were screaming from sitting in the car on the way to the hike we still made some great time and when we did stop we had some of the pretties sights since we hikes right along the creek. It almost seemed topical at times.

A rest hut about halfway up.

My favorite view. This was gorgeous.

View as we got higher and higher

We made it Hanging Lake

There were so many fish and they were jumping out of the water like crazy. You aren't allowed to fish.

You couldn't touch it or you would have destroyed it according to the sign.

We hiked up over by the waterfall and somebody offered to take our picture. I love it.

Being explorers and climbing up on the rocks for a different picture.

So pretty!!

 Right off the trail from the Hanging Lake is another hike. You go another few minutes up the mountain and you find a waterfall coming right out of the rock. Pictures don't do it justice. It was so pretty and crazy how it was coming right out of the rock.

The hike was to Sprouting Rock and is named appropriately

This was the craziest part of the hike. I didn't take a picture of it on the way up but made sure to on the way down.

The hike had 7 bridges to cross the river on since you switched back and forth so much.

After all the walking and hiking we had gone over 10 miles. It was a long day and when we stopped to grab some dinner I felt sick. I think I was exhausted and dehydrated. When we got back to our place we crashed so hard and woke up Saturday so sore we both groaned when we first got out of bed but we wouldn't have changed anything we did. It was such a perfect day taking in the beauty of nature and enjoying our time together.