August Backpacking Trip Part 2

A couple of days ago, I posted August Backpacking Trip Part 1. Now, it is time to continue the story.

We woke up pretty early (but not too early) the next day. The sky was very blue with no clouds. 

We had some breakfast, packed up and headed down the trail with our packs on.

Our plan for Saturday was another short hike to set up camp and then go off on a day-hike to "The Shaft House". If you have read about our backpacking trips before, chances are you read about "The Shaft House". 

We followed the plan. We actually set up camp in a spot that we have never stayed in before. It was in the general area of where we generally tend to spend our 2nd nights, though.

Then, we packed a lunch and some rain jackets in my backpack and headed back up the trail. We had lunch by the cave we've generally eaten lunch by. Usually, it is with everyone loaded down. It was sort of nice having less on our backs for what is usually the hardest part of the trail.

And we ended up in the "Shaft House" area by early afternoon. 

These following pictures don't do this spot justice. Quite honestly, this is one of my favorite views in Colorado. That is saying quite a bit. 

Part of the reason I love this spot is that it is a bit of a challenge to find. Even if you make it to the general area, there is a little bit of a maze up and down and through rocks to get to this overlook.

On a sunny day, I am not sure there is a better view in Colorado. Probably not in the world. This is, of course, my opinion. If you find yourself in this spot, you may or may not agree.

Eventually, of course, we had to head back to the campsite. 

To get to the campsite, we had to cross the log that you see my wife walking across above. It wasn't bad in the afternoon, but in the morning with packs on and quite a bit of dew still on the log, it was a bit more of an adventure.

After the hike, we did a bit more exploring and climbing of boulders around the campsite.

Again, pictures don't do it justice, but this area is pretty awesome as well.

There were some spots along Goose Creek that demonstrate why it is called "Lost Creek". The river disappears under rocks, which form really cool looking caves.

We all thought this spot was pretty cool. The swirling water had formed little holes in the rock over the (hundreds? thousands? millions? ) years.

To go straight to the youtube video, go http://youtu.be/0ZQSV-CxXZk

And eventually, we had another camp fire. Eventually we went to bed.

What a completely awesome wonderful adventurous day.