This summer the wildflowers have been amazing, and Crested Butte is truly living up to its name as “The Wildflower Capital of Colorado.” Peak snow levels and major snowmelt run-off in the mountains have given our watertable a much needed boost, leaving the wildflowers blooming even thicker and more colorful then usual. In mid-July long-time CBMG clients; Jim, JaNay, Alexa, and Meliea Oestmann enjoyed a few days of incredibly beautiful wildflower hiking, and tagged the summit of Mount Baldy (12,800′) as well.

Every day brought us cloudless and sunny Colorado weather and remarkeable views. The girls joined us for the first hike and climb of Baldy, before heading off to their annual attendance at the Crested Butte Academy Summer Running Camp, held here in the Gunnison Valley. Both are Nebraska state running stars at their schools, and come to the Crested Butte high country to further refine their skills. Needless to say, these girls enjoyed the challenge and beauty of the local backcountry, as much as anyone.

The 3rd day together found Jim, JaNay, and I enjoying a frigid early morning barefoot crossing of West Brush Creek, that was quick to numb the feet but heighten the senses. For our early morning suffering we were rewarded with incredible neck deep wildflowers and unending vistas on the Teocalli Ridge Trail. If anyone reading this is considering some Crested Butte area hiking, the time is now to catch peak wildflower season.

Thanks for some fun filled days of hiking and scrambling with you all, and I’m looking forward to seeing you guys again next year.

–Your Guide,

Jayson Simons-Jones

CB Mountain Guides

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 17th, 2008 at 12:42 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.