Thursday, June 8, 2017

Zapata Falls


The final stop on our 12th Anniversary Colorado Road Trip was the Zapata Falls.  We found the Zapata Falls at the top of a mountain that didn't have a paved road.  We drove very slowly up a very bumpy trail.  It was very rough terrain.  At one point, Connor just asked us to drive faster because he thought that would make it smoother.  Kevin sped up, and Connor and Lex immediately yelled for him to slow back down, because it made it so much worse.

We finally made it to the top, and the kids and Kevin changed into their swim trunks so that they could get into the falls after we hiked to them.  The falls were approximately a half mile away on a foot trail.

And so we hiked further up the mountain.

Zapata Falls

Zapata Falls

The Rocky Mountains are aptly named.  There is an abundance of rocks.

Zapata Falls

As we got closer to the falls, the first clue that we were approaching them was the noise. We could hear them first.  But the second clue was the temperature.  The closer we got to the water, the further the temperature dropped.  And suddenly.  It was like walking into a huge refrigerator.  The falls are snow melt, and the water was freezing and the whole area was very cold.

The kids and Kevin persisted in taking off their socks and shoes (and shirts) so that they could further explore the falls.  This might have been a chilly mistake.

Zapata Falls

The rocks were freezing to stand on.  Look at Connor's face!

Zapata Falls

A little cold never stopped Lex, though.  He was in the water up to his knees and wanted to explore everything.  After a little while I made him come back and get his clothes back on, because I was worried that he would get hypothermia in his toes.

Zapata Falls

Zapata Falls

Zapata Falls


Zapata Falls

After we were done at the falls, we hiked back down the mountain to the parking lot, where we found a nice little monument area.

Zapata Falls

Zapata Falls

Look how tired!  It was a big day of hiking in all sorts of difficult terrain.

Zapata Falls

Zapata Falls

This last photo is a panoramic view from the monument area at the top of the mountain.  Click on it to see it properly.

So, then we packed up and started heading back home.  Thus ended our 12th Anniversary Colorado Road Trip.  It was wonderful!

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