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California to Colorado

  • fivestarsbarb
  • Sep 6
  • 9 min read

Updated: Sep 7

Five stars. (★★★★★)


The decision to finally buy a new car led to a road trip to deliver my old car to Colorado, to become Fifi's first car. The solo road trip became a friend trip when Leah amazingly decided to fly out and drive across the country with me. Once in Colorado, I enjoyed it so much I extended my stay in the mountains. It all came together perfectly - and I'm so happy the trusty Audi will stay in the family.


The main audiobook for my solo hikes was The Explorer's Gene by Alex Hutchinson. It was a fitting choice; the Explore-Exploit dilemma was a theme for this trip (choose a new trail or a familiar favorite?) and feels deeply resonant in this season of life (move somewhere new or appreciate where I am?). It's a wide-ranging read that provided insight into my own behavior; I found it more engaging than Hutchinson's Endure.

Here are the trip stats, followed by a daily log:


Miles Driven: 1,600-ish.

  • 1,360 from my door to Leah's door.

  • Plus a few hundred around the parks.


Parks Visited: Six.

  • Five National Parks: Yosemite, Great Basin, Arches, Canyonlands, Rocky Mountain.

  • Plus Roosevelt National Forest.


Trails Conquered: 17 hikes, 72.9 miles.

  • First Leg (Road Trip): Eight hikes, 28.8 miles.

  • Second Leg (Colorado): Nine hikes, 44.1 miles.


Beds: Six.


RXBARs Consumed: 40.

  • 32 mini.

  • Eight full-size.


Speeding Tickets Received: One, deserved.


Podcasts Forced on Leah: Many; her patience is infinite.


Port-a-Potties Visited: So many that flushing is a novelty.


Items Lost: Two.

  • House keys, which I attribute to a backpack design flaw.

  • Charging adapter, easily replaced.


Calamaties: Zero! I'd call that a success.



Day 1: We're Doing It!

Saturday Aug 23

One Trail, 5.6 Miles


Long first day! Met Leah at the airport and drove straight to Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. I've always stayed in the cottages, not the main lodge - so this was a new experience. We checked in, lunched at the restaurant and hit the easy trail adjacent to the property. Low-key evening with leftovers and Mae Martin's SAP on Netflix.


Day 2: Yosemite

Sunday Aug 24


Two Trails, 8.7 Miles 


Up at 4:30 a.m. for the drive to Glacier Point to watch the sun rise over Half Dome, then Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Loop, one of my favorite trails for the spectacular views and moderate elevation changes.



Back to Tenaya for lunch, then an easy afternoon walk along Wauwona Meadow loop. Dinner at the restaurant, Fortune Feimster on Netflix.


Day 3: Yosemite + Drive to Baker, NV

Monday Aug 25


Two Trails, 5.7 Miles


Up at 5:30-ish to hike up to Mariposa Grove and get out before the tourist buses started running. The redwoods are a captivating sight. So was the weirdly muscular squirrel destroying a pinecone. By 9:15 a.m. we were on the road for the eight-hour drive to Baker, Nevada.



There are some things no amount of online research can convey, such as the remoteness of Baker. Visions of a hearty restaurant meal were replaced by Amy's microwave burritos from the Bristlecone General Store. Still, it was a unique experience and an uncommon slice of life to contemplate. The owners were friendly and gave us stickers; apparently Baker is the midpoint for many travelers between California and Colorado.



The real bummer was the overcast skies; I can see why this area is one of the best spots for stargazing in the country. Maybe next time.


Day 4: Drive to Moab, UT

Tuesday Aug 26


One Trail, Four Miles


The rainy morning gave us a nice excuse to take it easy and rest in. We drove into Great Basin National Park so we can technically say we were there, but only to check out the visitor center and hit the road for the six-hour drive to Red Cliffs Lodge in Moab.


We wanted to stretch our legs before dinner. The Grandstaff Trail was a lot more taxing than expected, with many tricky stream crossings (I soaked my feet midway through) and much scrambling. We called it done just short of Morning Glory Bridge due to the low-rumbling thunder and our general fatigue and hunger. We had an acceptable Mexican dinner in town, then back to our picturesque spot. Wiped.



Day 5: Arches & Canyonlands

Wednesday Aug 27


3 Trails, 4.8 Miles


Another early start to reach Arches National Park just after sunrise, straight to the Delicate Arch Trail. The climb was steep but worth it. With my running shoes still wet from the previous day's stream plunge I wore my Bedrocks - perfect for this type of exploring. I was unprepared for the number of people at the top so early; I guess everyone gets an early start when visiting the desert in August. We drove the rest of the park, exploring a few very short trails (walks, not hikes) to see other arches. Then back to Moab for brunch at Gloria's and shopping around the two blocks of shops on the main street.



After an afternoon of rest and work at the hotel, we headed for Canyonlands National Park. By this point I was only doing cursory research on AllTrails; I should have realized the Aztec Butte Trail would be tricky, given the "Moderate" rating for only 1.6 miles. We cautiously picked our way to the first Puebloan structure, a granary built into the top of a butte, tucked beneath an overhang. I can't believe toursists are encouraged to undertake that precarious scramble. We'd had enough.



I felt redeemed with the Mesa Arch Trail, which truly was an easy walk to a picturesque arch with a dizzying overlook into a canyon. It was a great "last hike" of the road trip.



Back to Gloria's for dinner, our go-to spot in Moab.


Day 6: Drive to Broomfield, CO

Thursday Aug 28


No Trails


Incredibly beautiful morning lounging at the hotel, with the sun rising against the buttes. I did a little work, Leah did some stretching, then we packed and headed for Spa Moab for massages, followed by one last meal at Gloria's.



I killed my blissed vibe a few minutes later, speeding on Highway 191 out of town toward I-70. I should have known better than to speed on that road, heading into Labor Day weekend. This is my first ticket in 30 years so I can't be too mad about it.


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The rest of the drive was uneventful, arriving in Broomfield around 6 p.m. Another delicious Seppi dinner, laundry, TV, bed.


Day 7: Drive to Allenspark, CO

Friday Aug 29


No Trails


Lazy morning, walked around the neighborhood with Leah, caught up on work and got organized for the second leg of the trip - a few days on my own in a cabin in the mountains. Before I headed out, we picked up Fifi from school for a little shopping at Due South in Lafayette.


After a grocery stop, I arrived at the VRBO between Allenspark and Lyons around 6 p.m. I planned my hike for the next morning - hoping the rain would let up - and crashed out.

Day 8: Roosevelt National Forest

Saturday Aug 29


One Trail, 11 Miles


This was a comedy of errors. With the start-stop rain, I drove to the trailhead twice before committing on the third attempt. Over the eleven-mile hike I encountered rain, hail and some stretches of sun. It was a good hike and I felt accomplished, though the trail was anti-climatic, ending at an intersection with other trails in the middle of the woods. It was afternoon by the time I got back to the cabin.



I washed my hair (a very involved process) and hunkered down with the laptop while it rained the rest of the day. We'd originally planned for the family to visit Sunday, but the cabin seemed a little dreary and not conducive to indoor socializing. I decided to extend my time in Colorado and booked a more promising cabin starting Monday.



Day 9: RMNP + RNF

Sunday Aug 31


Two Trails, 7.9 Miles


Finally a sunny day - but OMG the people. I assume Rocky Mountain National Park is always crowded, and especially on Labor Day weekend. I aborted my first trail attempt at Longs Peak Trailhead, due to a full parking lot and cars parked a quarter mile down the road before 6 a.m. I then tried the Wild Basin Trail to Ouzel falls and bailed after a mile due to all the people; it wasn't pleasant. Finally I went to the Ceran St Vrain Trail in Roosevelt National Forest, which was also well-subscribed - but the family hikers thinned out after the first mile or two and I was alone for the Miller Rock loop. Both trails would probably be lovely at a less busy time.



Day 10: RMNP + Transfer to Wondervu, CO

Monday Sep 1


Two Trails, 6.5 Miles


Set my alarm for 2:15 a.m. in hopes of finally seeing a clear, starry alpine sky. The internet recommended Sprague Lake inside RMNP as an ideal viewing location. It's on the most popular road in the park (Bear Lake Road) so I figured insanely early would be the best time to go. I'd call it a semi-success. The stars were amazing. However, the parking lot was already active with arriving headlights, so I didn't get the solitude I was looking for. And it was cold out there! I continued on to Bear Lake Trailhead and struck out at 5:45 a.m. with my headlamp. The sunrise views were stunning and I was in the first wave of hikers on the trail so it wasn't too crowded. I moved fast. Lake Haiyaha was gorgeous. I met many more hikers on the way down and got out of there.



I left the VRBO and headed to Nederland, passing time at New Moon Bakery and hiking an easy trail before 4 p.m. check-in at the SkyRun cabin in Wondervu. This place was awesome. The family brought enchiladas for dinner and we hung out a bit, enjoying the views.



Day 11: Wondervu and Nederland

Tuesday Sep 2


One Trail, 4.8 Miles

I stepped outside in the still-dark morning and saw a shooting star immediately; great start to the day. I committed to working a half-day with meetings starting at 9 a.m. so I couldn't get too ambitious with the morning hike. The Delonde and Bluebird Loop was perfect, with a variety of landscapes including a spur to an old mining compound and a stream. The trail was fairly easy and could have been runnable, but I preferred walking and listening to my audiobook.



The half-day of work bummed me out, I don't think I'd choose to do that again. After meetings spread over the morning and afternoon I reoriented myself, did some laundry and enjoyed the evening with wine and leftovers.


Day 12: Wondervu and Nederland

Wednesday Sep 3


Two Trails, 7.1 Miles

Another half-day of work, bah. I returned to the Delonde and Bluebird Loop just before 6 a.m. and saw two elk on the trail. Then meetings and work. I felt like an afternoon of lounging would squander precious time, so I did the nice-and-easy hike around Mud Lake and re-supplied in Nederland.



Day 13: James Peak Wildnerness, RNF

Thursday Sep 4


One Trail, 6.8 Miles

Last day, big hike! I wanted to push myself and get into the real mountains. I picked a route AllTrails rates as "Hard" and it was no joke. The 6.8-mile hike to Lower and Upper Crater Lakes took 4 hours and 15 minutes, with very little downtime. The last stretch - about 0.7 miles each way - was a near-vertical scramble up and down a harrowing and confusing trail. I wondered why I hadn't carried the Garmin or told Leah where I was going - recalling the cautionary podcast about Aron Ralston we'd listened to on the drive to Colorado. Eek.


The experience was worth it. The morning was crisp, blue and sunny. The waterfalls and lakes were picturesque. I didn't see a single soul on my way up. This is what I wanted.



By the time I got down, I was mentally and physically exhausted. I required two naps in the afternoon, and still felt drained. I packed and prepped for my trip home, savoring the last evening at the cabin. I would have stayed another week if I could.


Day 14: Fly Home

Friday Sep 5


No Trails


I "slept in" until 5:30 a.m., showered, packed the car and enjoyed coffee and New Moon quiche for breakfast while curating photos from the trip.



I left the cabin at 9 a.m. and drove to Broomfield to sign over the car. I forgot to thank it for so many years of reliable service and say goodbye; I'm glad I'll get to see it again next time I visit. Leah drove me to the airport and after some minor travel delays I walked through my front door around 5 p.m.


I haven't taken a trip this long, or taken this much time off work, in years... I can't remember the last time. I'm so glad and grateful to have had this memorable adventure together at age 50. I'd do it all again!

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