On the Road with Maya: "Massive" Moments

Mt. Massive from the shores of Turquoise Lake

Storm brewing over Mt. Massive

Mt. Massive Wilderness

About 10 miles west southwest of Leadville looms Mt. Massive, the third highest peak in the lower 48 states. At 14,429 feet, only Mt. Elbert, also in Colorado, and Mt. Whitney in California stand higher. Mt. Massive also has another distinction among the ‘Fourteeners’ (peaks over 14,000 feet that many mountaineers aspire to climb). This famous ‘fourteener’ is the most massive of all. Mt. Massive is really more than one peak, it is a ridge of peaks over three miles long. There are five peaks in all, each standing at over 14,000 feet. From our campground by Turquoise Lake to the hikes we’ve taken to our scenic train trip from downtown Leadville, Mt. Massive dominated our landscape.

One of the old engines at the train station in Leadville

David 'leans' into the curve in the open car

Our week was filled with pleasantly warm days (not hot), many afternoon rain showers and cool nights in the 50s. One day David and I went into Leadville with camping buddy Melissa, for a 2 ½ ride on the Leadville Colorado and Southern Railroad. Dustin had to work and couldn’t go with us. Dustin is in IT and gets to work remotely so he and Rocky stayed at camp. I guess if you must work, doing so from your Airstream by the shore of Lake Turquoise is no bad deal. We had a perfect day for a train ride and we sat in one of the open cars, so our views were spectacular. We saw much of Leadville as we rode along and then the train wound its way up to an old water tower and a deserted mine. That night we grilled steaks and had a fine dinner by the lake.

The old train water tower

Enjoying the ride in one of the closed cars

Open cars are much more fun!

We had 5 hikes this week, so David will have his “statistics” for the first time this year. One of the hikes we did last year while we were here, but the other 4 hikes were new to us. They were all great but the hike to Native Lake in the Mt. Massive Wilderness was perhaps our favorite. The trail took us above the timberline and the views of Mt. Massive with storm clouds rolling in were spectacular.

Mt. Massive and Native Lake behind us

Mt. Massive Wilderness

David on the Native Lake Trail in the Mt. Massive Wilderness

Picturesque 'tarns' with Mt. Massive behind

Tarns are lakes that are above timberline

Another nice hike we had was around Twin Lakes to Inter-Laken, an old resort from the early 1900s. The sight is deserted now but some of the buildings are being restored. Many wealthy people spent the summer in a remote mountain setting by a picturesque lake. Entertainment came from Leadville a few times a week and music, opera and theatre were provided for guests. The resort was also open part of the winter and then guests would arrive by lake but instead of a boat, it would be a sleigh ride across the frozen lake. What times those were! I am sure it was not easy to get all the supplies, horses, laborers, etc. out to that remote location to provide the luxurious accommodations. It was fun to walk the grounds and imagine the lives of those who spent their summers there.

The Dexter cabin at Inter-Laken

This is where the family that owned the Inter-Laken resort lived.

The main lodge at Inter-Laken

Inter-Laken means between the lakes which describes the place well

After such a fun week, we spent a couple of nights in Buena Vista. We had wanted to go to Cottonwood Pass and do some hiking up in the high country above timberline, but the road to the pass is closed this year to be repaved. So, after chores and grocery shopping we are off this morning. We aren’t quite sure where we will wind up as we have no reservations, but Monarch Park is our hopeful destination.