I can count on one hand the number of times my body has completely shut down and said “nope, you are not 22 years old anymore”.
This day, I was 90% sure I was going to skip this iconic trek but my adventurous side won over as I passed the exit and I found myself cruising down beautiful Hwy 128 into Red Rock Country. After eclipsing 30k steps each of the last 3 days in all new territory (Western CO), my tank was nearing empty so I just put one foot in front of the other with no other expectations.
Famous last words.
I was blown away by this rugged landscape and somehow got more energized with every corner I passed. It was slow going but it was the most fun I had all weekend. This is a must do trek for any avid hiker.
While the massive spires provide ample shade throughout, the exposed sections are absolutely brutal in the July late afternoons. Half way through the route, a small ladder assists the serious adventurer down an exposed ledge prior to another steep incline. I opted to spend some quiet time at this beautiful vantage point to reflect on the AWESOME weekend I had literally pulled together just 72 hours prior.
Truly a blessing to be an fearless adventurer!
FearlessAdventures 