Meanwhile, back at the ranch……. Our latest update finds us busy as usual but with plenty of time for a few outings in the wilderness. As always this posting will have pictures of the newest 3 Sisters climb & Maxwell Falls hike at our website:

http://picasaweb.google.com/howethru

Just this past Saturday we hit one of our favorite rock climbing venues, the 3 Sisters southwest of Evergreen. This area is a plethora of heavily wooded areas with 5 massive rock formations scattered throughout the numerous trail systems in the park. This is a great place to hike as well as climb. With backpacks in place and our rocks shoes attached we ventured off to a rock formation we have only taken once and it was from an easier side.

We ventured to the south side of the 600’ mass and found a great, challenging straight up shot that you can do without technical gear and the climb was one of those routes that when you get to the top of the summit you know you have found a great practice run. Climbing technique is everything on these routes. Once on top we fancied the views of the Evergreen area and to the west to the Continental Divide including Mt Evans.

We will likely go back this fall to take on the last of the formations we have never been up.


Labor Day was a great day for a hike so we chose a place deeper into the Arapahoe National Forest called the Maxwell Falls trail. This trail follows Maxwell Creek down through a heavily wooded forest in a draw and the ground is rather moist so the vegetation is incredible. The moss growth is almost neon. We had to do some bouldering climbing to get down into the base of the falls but the reward was incredible.

We sat at the bottom and ate lunch and read some scripture and one was very fitting for the view:

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

We had entertainment to go with our meal by a chipmunk (see the picture set) who would not leave us alone. The guy was pining for food as if he had never laid eyes on it. Debra had to tell him he would end up like a lot of America and be overweight if we caved into his utmost desires. We caved at one point which goes against my grain and gave him a tiny piece of a peach and nectarine. But his gratitude was soon lost in more begging.

We will be getting out more this year as the summer winds down and we get into the fall colors. We will keep you all posted.