Royal Arch // Flatirons // Boulder, Colorado

 Ellen and myself hiked from the NCAR parking lot to the base of the Flatirons, and then ascended 1,000 feet of rocky trail to the Royal Arch. The ascent was fairly strenuous due to a robust vertical to horizontal gain ratio. And since I hadn't experienced any significant mountain relief in over a year I was definitely the slower member of the party. But, we made it to the arch, soaked in the spring-like weather and epic views of the surrounding terrain and the eastward expanse of the Great Plains. As usual, we rewarded ourselves with beer at the Southern Sun Pub & Brewery in Boulder (make sure to bring cash!)

Google map of the Royal Arch location. 

North Table Mountain // Golden, Colorado

 A nice mid-December hike during a mild late afternoon up North Table Mountain near Golden, Colorado. The hike wasn't too challenging, but did offer fantastic views of the Denver metro, including the skyline. My friend Ellen and I completed a loop past a lava cap, then trekked across mesa-grasslands, and finished with a jog back down to New Terrain Brewing Company for post-hike beer. And as a bonus reward we were treated to an epic golden-red sunset that lit up mountain-wave generated lee-side clouds.

North Table Mountain is here in Google Maps.