Checking Out the Flat Tops (not the Arsenio kind)

I've been back for a week already...I don't know where time goes sometimes. Sheesh.

My trip to the Flat Tops Wilderness Area near Dotsero, CO was incredible. The curriculum only planned on us hiking 10 miles over the 3 1/2 days we were on trail (we spent another 2 in the White Owl Ranger Station as our "classroom"). The group was comprised of seasoned outdoorsmen/women and by lunch on the first day we had hiked in 2 hours what it had taken last year's group to do in 5. It was promptly decided that we'd blow past our first planned campsite to hike deeper into the wilderness and instead of 10 miles, we logged 30. 22 miles or so as a team, in packs and another 8 for me in our free time day hikes/excursions. Not bad. Not bad at all.

The group of 11 ended up being made up of 3 women and 8 men. There were a lot of state parks and forest service representatives, trail volunteers and a few outdoor educators. Then there was me...the weirdo who takes these courses more or less for the fun of it....so I can blog about it. ha.

I'm going to be detailing more of the educational component in the next few blogs...including my "tampon talk" but for now, I'll leave you with a slide show that one of my new friends in Colombia has assembled. Enjoy your first look at the Flat Tops Wilderness Area .