Another Aspen summer drawing to a close

This ended up being quite an adventure. A volunteering evening way up Hunter Creek restoring trails.  But missed the ride up so a considerably harder undertaking than I had anticipated. Just as well I don't do this for a living.

M in her element here. An organic farm - Rock Bottom Ranch - owned by ACES. An evening tour with dinner in a barn thrown in with all the locally grown ingredients featuring

Our favourite hike.  Lost Man's Loop. A bike ride back up to collect car as storm clouds blew in

Independent Lake just beyond high point of the trail

Our delightful former music student Erica ( 2011 and 2013 ) and her boyfriend Pat - both professional flautists.

 And not only did they cook us a beautiful meal , they dutifully played with us. What a fun evening we had.

Another hike - this time up Aspen Mtn on the Ute trail. 8 years here and we had never done it.

and then came across Gracie and her crew by chance on our way home. Here at one of her gardens

 and this the result

This the first top of a 3 mountain solo mountain bike ride. Top of the Rim trail before heading north

This section from the foot of Brush Creek road up to the Sky trail. Now heading south back along the ridge from the airport beacon to Highline Drive

This 2 mile section was being opened as I approached it. First tracks - almost ! Deadline Trail. Beautifully constructed.

Final push to complete the round  - 270 to 270 - door to door. This the Tom Blake trail to Snowmass Base Village  and down the hill to Meadow Ranch. An epic 4 1/2 hour loop and hardly touched a road.