36 minute read
FOOD
REDUCE FOOD WASTE
Words by Kimberly Nicoletti
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Over the decades, we’ve become more attentive to recycling, but how much do we think about the impacts of food waste? Sure, we may have that parental voice in our head telling us to eat everything on our plate, and we may feel guilty when we forget about a leftover in the fridge. But, guilt isn’t a great motivator (and it feels pretty crummy, too). What if, instead, we simply educated ourselves about food waste and set an intention to be more mindful, day by day, food bit by food bit, about using as much food as we buy?
CHALLENGES
Up to 40 percent of food produced in the United States goes uneaten, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), which also estimates that growing, processing, transporting and disposing of uneaten food costs a household of four about 1,800 dollars annually, for a total of 218 billion dollars nationwide.
Food waste also harms the environment. Growing food contributes to greenhouse gases, according to the Food Waste Reduction Alliance. The NRDC estimates that nearly 40 million tons of food ends up in landfills, which makes it the largest municipal solid waste component in landfills, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“When it decomposes in landfills, it produces methane, which is 21 times more harmful than carbon dioxide,” says Madison Muxworthy, waste diversion director of the Yampa Valley Sustainability Council (YVSC) in Steamboat Springs.
In fact, landfills account for one-third of all methane emissions in the U.S.
The United States Department of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency have set a goal for the U.S. to cut its food waste in half by 2030. Along the Front Range, several community
organizations have implemented food share programs, composting and other waste reduction measures, and Western Colorado is doing its part.
LOCAL EFFORTS
In 2017, YVSC recruited 50 participants for its Food Too Good to Waste Challenge. It provided tips to reduce edible waste, like organizing refrigerators and freezers by storing meats, produce, etc. in separate areas, cooking with food scraps (such as adding carrot tops to stew), preparing meals for the coming week, taking regular in-stock food inventories and making a grocery list and sticking to it.
“Of the tips suggested, 95.8 percent of participants planned to continue meal planning, 91.7 percent continued making a shopping list and 100 percent continued eating leftovers,” Muxworthy says. “For 83.3 percent of participants, food waste prevention became a high priority because it saves money.”
Last year, YVSC ran a study in which 69 households collected their discarded food in bins for a week and kept track of reasons why. It found the average household wastes an average of 2.6 pounds of edible food and six pounds of “inedible” food (components typically not eaten by Americans or for which significant skill or effort would be required). Participants threw 66 percent of the waste into the trash, 13 percent down the disposal and 12 percent into home composting; they used 9 percent to feed animals. As Muxworthy points out, all but two percent of participants were already familiar with food waste issues, “so participants were already doing really well compared to a lot of citizens who aren’t doing so well.”
“The most common items thrown in the household buckets were leftovers, bread and produce,” she says.
The two main reasons participants threw food out were due to spoilage or “too little to save.”
SOLUTIONS
Many communities collect unused food from grocery stores, restaurants, schools and ski areas to help feed locals in need.
Food Recovery Network, a national student movement designed to fight food waste and hunger, partners with Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs and University of Denver; together they have saved 34,150 pounds of food since 2015.
The network also partners with Colorado Mesa University and Grand Valley Catholic Outreach in Grand Junction. Catholic Outreach provides 250 to 300 hot meals to people in need six days a week. 40 percent of its food comes from grocery stores and restaurants.
Every October, about 60 local restaurants, as well as grocery stores and local farmers and hunters, donate to Catholic Outreach’s annual Empty Bowls fundraiser, while local potters and woodworkers fashion the bowls for the 1,000-participant event.
“Everyone wants to be part of something, and feeding the hungry is something that everyone can relate to,” says Beverly Lampley, director of development and communications for Catholic Outreach. “Stores don’t want to
Saving food starts with your mindset.
throw away lettuce that they can’t sell — and it’s a write-off. [Donations grow] through word of mouth — just telling the story.”
Individuals also can help by giving to local food banks.
In terms of household food waste reduction, Lampley suggests sharing excess items you bake with neighbors and visiting a local landfill to remind yourself of food waste impacts. Muxworthy also suggests livening up leftovers, freezing food in portions and buying only what you need.
Online, savethefood.com offers even more specific tips and tools, including dinner party food estimations, best storage and freezing practices and ways to revitalize wilted produce or burnt or overcooked food.
“Saving food starts with your mindset,” according to savethefood.com. “This mentality can unleash a burst of creativity you never realized you had — discovering new dishes and cooking techniques, right in your own kitchen.” :
THE “INVISIBLE ARCHITECTURE” OF HABITS SHAPE THE LIFE YOU WANT
Words by Christine Emming
GLENN-CARSTENS-PETERS - UNSPLASH
As a young child, I adored the handmade chart my mother created to remind my sisters and me to make our beds. At the end of a winding, paper road, she drew colorful ice cream cones. Oh, they called to me! We definitely earned those cones, but it was the pleasure of notching those little boxes, steadily working towards a goal, that stuck with me.
“Habits are like the invisible architecture of daily life — research suggests that about 40 percent of our existence is shaped by our habits,” writes Gretchen Rubin, author of Better Than Before, on her blog.
I think of habits as a gateway to achieving larger goals, like oral health by brushing teeth daily. One of my life goals is starting an annual family backpacking trip. If I break this idea into stairsteps, I can accomplish small pieces now. Tacking a hike onto our Friday schedule flexes the same backpacking muscles, and it’s a trackable step leading to my overall goal. I’ve taped a mileage chart to the refrigerator, so we can tally the growing distance.
The only way to acquire a new habit is to start. What helps you sustain momentum? For some people, it’s tangible rewards; for others, ticking a box will do. Fast forward 30 years, I still revert to the chart system my mother introduced. To begin your new habit, follow these three steps:
TRACK IT
Having the ability to check progress quickly in a format that motivates you is key, whether you craft a chart or use technology to support your goals.
I’m currently tracking three habits with Streaks2, an app on my phone, where I check boxes and earn a gold star if I complete my daily tasks. It is rewarding to watch gold stars align in my calendar. I’m currently under the spell of (1) five o’clock wake-ups. After (2) yoga stretches, I (3) write until my son appears at my elbow, rumpled and darling, to ask for food.
Originally, I had only the 5 a.m. goal — I hoped to write in the quiet. After two weeks of dutiful waking, the writing still came slow. Turns out my
brain awakens sluggish and plodding. I added yoga stretches, and the energy and blood flow worked! These three elements evolved together in a way that promotes long-term success.
DEDICATE SPACE
Grow a new habit by tucking it into a specific window of time. Having a distinct and logical place makes it easier to remember and repeat. For instance, I walk the dog when my husband gets into the shower each morning. He waves, bleary-eyed, and I put my shoes on. This gives me a 30-minute window where he’s available to assist the kids if they need anything, and it doesn’t require him to change his routine.
Most habits have an obvious place where they fit, either daily or weekly. Take a few minutes to reorganize your time and create the right space for the habit you’re building.
ADJUST AND REFINE
I review my habits regularly, partly because my kids build theirs based on my example. My early wakeup is dedicated to writing. When I got up early and the kitchen wasn’t clean, I’d end up tidying instead of writing.
My kids used to fall apart after dinner, which we hold until their dad arrives from work. So, I spent after-dinner minutes snuggled on the couch with an exhausted child, reading stories. Now my kiddos are feeding pets and prepping for bed without my steadying hand. Dynamics have shifted. I thought, “Why not start the day with a super clean kitchen?”
Now, kitchen clean, we often play a game on the table in our PJs before cuddling into bed. I’ve wrangled both family bonding time and supported my morning writing habit with one change.
Coddle your new habit, the way you’d gently support a potty-training puppy. Turn that sweet, encouraging voice on yourself, and fix the problem.
Perhaps I’ll reach a golden age where awareness and focus merge into contentedness, and then I’ll rest. I watch my parents for signs. For now, I channel that motivation into building habits to make life easier, more pleasing and focused on where I’d like to go. You do the same. :
Ready to find a new place to rest your head? Your perfect home awaits. Welcome home.
experience + adventure guide Special Advertising Section
Lizard Head Cycling Guides Lizard Head Cycling Guides specializes in fully supported mountain bike vacations to the most remote and scenic landscape in the American West. This summer join them in their backyard of Colorado, where they are offering safe, family-friendly, kid wilding tours. Lizardheadcyclingguides.com Western Slope SUP Western Slope SUP specializes in stand up paddle adventures, from lessons to multi-day river tours. Based in Hotchkiss, their signature SUP river trip tours the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area. Check them out for rentals, whitewater rafting and SUP tours. westernslopesup.com RockyTrax Adventure Rentals RockyTrax offers camper and dual sport/dirt bike rentals and guided off road bike tours in Western Colorado. RockyTrax has established federal permits to deliver and set up campers on nearby public lands — just let them know your needs! rockytrax.com
A-LODGE BOULDER, LYONS + ADVENTURE VANS
The Boulder Adventure Lodge (A-Lodge for short) was founded in 2014 and located just five minutes from Boulder up Boulder Canyon. The A-Lodge caters to outdoor enthusiasts who want to be close to town but stay in a more natural setting to hike, bike, climb or fish right out their door. The A-Lodge has gone through extensive renovations, and also just opened its second location in downtown Lyons — strategically located between Boulder and Rocky Mountain National Park. A-Lodge also offers its Adventure Van program, featuring custom-built vans for rent that include an induction stove, plussize sink, outdoor shower, mini-fridge, queen size plus bed, solar power, fan, furnace, lighting, racks for bikes inside the vehicle, storage and all the goodies from Mercedes Sprinter. a-lodge.com
experience + adventure guide Special Advertising Section
BONESHAKER ADVENTURES
Boneshaker Adventures empowers individuals and celebrates the joy of mountain biking through instruction, youth programs and adventures. Boneshaker Adventures believes the mountain bike is a powerful tool to build confidence and community. They offer instruction and mentorship programs for youth and adults, giving riders the skills necessary to overcome obstacles, on and off the trail. Riders build resilience and strengthen relationships, while joyfully cruising along Western Colorado’s world-class singletrack. Boneshaker Adventures also offers mountain bike clinics — perfect for those who want to brush up on a specific technique or acquire a completely new skill. Complete beginners are welcome at the clinics, and will receive a great intro to helpful riding fundamentals from highly qualified coaches. Be sure to stay in the loop on all the upcoming summer camps and programming for riders of all ages and abilities. boneshakeradventures.com
MOAB 2020 YOGA & ADVENTURE WEEKEND
In Your Element hosts its 7th annual Moab retreat! Thursday afternoon through Sunday morning, October 8-11, 2020. Spread your toes, take a deep breath in, and get ready for the most empowering adventure of the fall season. Join In Your Element for good times around the fire at Moab’s Goose Island campsite. Navajo Sandstone cliffs and the Colorado River provide the backdrop for morning and evening yoga and meditation practices. Enjoy gourmet camping cuisine for breakfast and dinner, and free time during the day to explore Moab’s world-renowned trails, rocks, rivers, rejuvenating spas and unique and funky downtown — just four miles from your tent. Exploring Earth, Fire, Water and Air through daily practices and inquiry will leave you In Your Element. $495 moab-2020-inyourelement.eventbrite.com
GET OUTSIDE! GEAR FOR THE SEASON
Compiled by S+B Staff
Oru Kayak Beach LT Pack this kayak, a 26-pound boat that gets down to the size of a large suitcase. It’s compact enough to store in your trunk, closet or garage. On the water, the 12-foot Beach LT is stable, intended for use in smooth, calm water. It’s designed for first-time paddlers and beginners, but also fun for water enthusiasts of all levels. $1,199 - orukayak.com
Klymit Drift Camp Pillow + Klymaloft Sleeping Pad Car camping can be more comfortable with these versatile pieces. The pillow has a comfortable, jersey cotton inner pillowcase and a durable water resistant shell for storage and transport. The plush foam topper on the sleeping pad shapes to support your body as you move. Camp Pillow: $39.95 Sleeping Pad: $149.95 klymit.com Buff Pack Run Visor and UV+ Arm Sleeves Put these summer running essentials in your pockets to be ready for all the elements. The packable visor is four-way ultra stretch and is 95-percent recycled. The stretchy and lightweight arm sleeves offer UPF 40+ sun protection and cooling moisture management, with a silicone grip to hold the sleeves in place on your upper arms. Pack Run Visor: $24 UV+ Arm Sleeves: $25 buffusa.com Gregory Maven Women’s Backpacking Pack This lightweight backpacking pack and the Paragon (mens-specific) just got updates this past spring. The packs feature a new suspension system with two flex panels in the lower back that adjust to the natural movements of your body. Easy-access pockets and stow options make it simple to access essentials like sunglasses, hydration and additional layers. Available in three capacities, starting with the Maven 48-liter. $195.95 - $349.95 gregorypacks.com
GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Pro Stove Take advantage of this new packable stove option on wilderness adventures this summer. It’s a full-size dual burner stove with retractable legs that packs down to 1.4 inches. $169.95 gsioutdoors.com
First Ascent Coffee Don’t sacrifice a great cup of coffee when you’re in the backcountry. First Ascent out of Crested Butte has created a handcrafted instant coffee that’s as convenient as it is delicious. 8-Pack: $19.99 firstascentcoffee.com Julbo SPARK These sunglasses are the bridge that connects urban and sport adventures. They stay in place when you’re playing outside, and the photochromic lenses you can choose make one set of shades versatile in dim and bright conditions. $129.95 - $219.95 julbo.com
BioLite HeadLamp 200 This ultralight headlamp (only 1.7 ounces) doesn’t require any batteries and is charged via USB. Light options available range from white and red to strobe. It runs for 40 hours on low and three hours on high. $44.95 bioliteenergy.com
Hillsound BTR Stool Available in 14-inch and 17-inch, this is an essential summer item to throw in your bag or on your back when you’re on the move. The BTR has “phantom lock technology” and is an ultra lightweight and packable tripod stool to pair with any outdoor adventure. $55 - $59 hillsound.com
Chaco Chillos Chaco Footwear just released this new slide sandal perfect for errands around town and into the outdoors. Designed to be lightweight, low profile and comfortable, this après activity slide is a go-to, featuring podiatrist-approved sweat relief, ample arch support and classic adjustable straps. $50 chacos.com Honey Stinger Protein Waffles Fuel up with these tasty, fruit-filled snacks. Each waffle has 10 grams of protein to keep your muscles moving. Available in Wild Berry and Apple Cinnamon flavors. Box of 12: $26.99 honeystinger.com Amundsen 5-Incher Field Shorts These stretch Cordura shorts with waxed cotton canvas reinforcements are perfect for leisure activities and outdoor adventure. They are lightweight and durable — an ideal summer choice for Colorado function and style. $149 amundsensports.com
Cooking in the backyard to the backwoods in seconds.
Patagonia High Endurance Kit This new kit has everything an endurance runner needs, functioning as individual pieces and as an integrated system. The Endless Run Short and Airshed Pro Pullover are two of our favorite items, and every ounce of the whole kit is worth the investment. 6 items in kit: $45 - $249 patagonia.com
GEAR PROFILE CANFIELD BIKES
Words by Bobby L’Heureux | Photos courtesy of Canfield Bikes
Canfield Bikes has recently made Mesa County home by moving their production facility to Fruita, Colorado. The company was founded after Lance Canfield, a mechanical engineer with hotrod experience, started racing downhill mountain bikes in 1994. Lance was not satisfied with the bikes available at that time, so he went to the drawing board and began designing his own bike.
The earliest Canfield design made it on paper in 1996. He had never actually built a bike, so Lance set his design aside and continued to race other bikes. During a long drive home to Utah from a race in Big Bear, California, Lance was disappointed with his race results — he knew he would be faster on a better bike, and he knew he could build a better bike.
Lance and his brother Chris enlisted a local welder and developed what was the original Canfield Brothers bike, the Big Fat Fatty Fat. The original bike was built around a parallel link design, based on the articulated performance of
a suspension for a trophy truck, a vehicle used in high-speed off-road racing. The bike was a monster, featuring 12 inches of travel front and rear. It also had a revolutionary rearward axle path that delivered uncompromising downhill performance and stability.
Both Lance and Chris put the Big Fat Fatty Fat to the test. Lance competed in his first four Red Bull Rampages while Chris chased World Cups around the globe. Some true, comprehensive and hands-on research and development. This bike was designed by riders for riders.
Canfield Bikes officially made the move to Fruita in January. With a love for Colorado from past rides and races since 1994, and past employment as an engineer and product designer with White Brothers Suspension/EKO Sport, now MRP, it seemed like the best fit for their new facility.
“Colorado has always had a special place in my heart. I have fond memories of working and riding here,” shares Lance. “The bike community is so amazing and I’ve made so many friends here. With a like-minded talent pool, I can’t
Lance Canfield signs a bike.
think of a better location to grow our team and the brand in the coming years.”
It is centrally located for shipping as well, and has the benefits of year-round riding, great access to high-country biking and lift-served bike parks in the summer.
Canfield Bikes has always built bikes they want to ride. As it turns out, other people want to ride them too.
“The focus is on geometry that is fast and fun,” Lance explains. “Our bikes offer up confidence-inspiring stability mixed with playful, nimble handling. We’ve always been a bit ahead of the curve in that respect — long front centers, slack head-angles, short rear ends. Back in 2011, our Yelli Screamy hardtail was the first 29er with sub-17-inch chainstays.
“The bike had big wheels and was actually fun to ride,” he adds. “It felt like you were in the bike rather than on top of it, and it was agile and descended like an all-mountain bike.”
Suspension is another thing that Lance says has set Canfield apart.
“We’ve been refining parallel link suspension designs since the 90s, from the rearward axle path of the Formula 1 suspension found on the Jedi, to the patented CBF suspension we developed a few years ago that’s currently on all our full-suspension bikes,” he says.
It’s the first suspension design to maintain near 100-percent anti-squat throughout the entire range of the bike’s travel, which makes it extremely efficient while remaining active and plush.
All Canfield Bikes are designed to be durable and low maintenance so you can spend less time wrenching and more time riding. They’re built tough and tested to high standards — even their trail bikes are built to downhill standards.
By the time you are reading this article the first-round of 2020 bikes will be in-stock and ready to ride and ship. Canfield Bikes is excited for people to get out for a ride, and selfishly they want to ride them too. They are also working on some new bikes and can’t wait to share those with the world.
“There’s just something special about riding a rad bike from a small rider-owned company that produces in small batches that stands apart from the other mass-produced bikes on the market,” says Lance. “Canfield riders are like a family.” :
ATHLETE PROFILE ALEXIS SKARDA
Words + Photos by Jesse Selwyn
Without warning, another rider appeared at my side. She was dressed in a blue and fiery orange race kit, smiling easily as she turned the pedals at a pace that would have me gritting my teeth in effort. It was 30-yearold Alexis Skarda, Grand Junction’s star professional mountain biker. She was born to go fast. In fact, her first cycling-related memory dates back to when she was 9 years old and practicing triathlon transitions, the process of changing from swimming to biking to running, when a neighbor’s child asked why she was doing it.
“I thought that was a weird question to ask and didn’t know how to respond at the time. I just wanted to be fast!”
Her parents were runners and triathletes. Alexis’s focus through middle and high school
became running. Cycling was a very small part of her existence at the time, and even then, it was usually a road ride. This would change during her time attending Colorado Mesa University (CMU) in Grand Junction, shocking everyone who knew her.
Alexis started at CMU as a leading runner in the cross country program. Eventually, when an injury prevented her from running, her coach recognized her need for an outlet and made a rare exception by allowing her to race a mountain bike. “At the time, CMU’s mountain bike program was small and in need of female riders, so they were willing to take me on midseason,” she says.
“I wasn’t a huge fan of mountain biking at first — I liked the solid workout of a road bike more,” she adds. She stuck with it and soon discovered that the more she rode, the more she enjoyed it. She found the challenges and freedom thrilling. Thanks to her huge fitness base from a lifetime of running, she quickly excelled, winning collegiate nationals her first year riding. She repeated her winning performance the following two years, while also managing to graduate and earn a teaching certificate.
Then, she decided to leap into professional mountain bike racing. “It’s funny, in mountain biking you’re either an amateur or a professional, there isn’t a middle ground. You’re thrown to the wolves. I went from being at the front of the pack to the back of the pack. I wasn’t used to losing, and I had to dig deep to discover the motivation to do it for myself and not rely on the external motivation from winning,” she explains.
In the subsequent years, Alexis attacked her weaknesses so she could compete with the world’s best. One of these weaknesses appeared after a crash on one of Grand Junction’s technical trails left her with an injury. She lost her confidence to ride difficult terrain.
“I realized that to be competitive at the highest levels, I needed to improve at technical riding. I needed to relearn how to approach technical features,” she says.
Though she’d session difficult trail features with Geoff, her significant other, it wasn’t working. “He’s a great teacher and so patient, but it’s just too easy to get frustrated or doubt someone so close. I decided to work my skills with another local woman, Sara Landis, who is an amazing technical rider. She helped me see that the way men and women ride is different because of our bodies, our balance and how we think. Sara was able to explain things in a way that made sense, and her confidence rubbed off on me. She was instrumental in helping me understand that I already had the skills. I just needed the belief. I think this is true for most women,” she exclaims.
With this new approach, Alexis rapidly moved through the women’s ranks. She’s ridden to podium finishes in races such as the Grand
Junction Off Road, National Pro XTC races and has twice represented the USA at mountain biking’s highest level, the World Championships. Though her racing schedule takes her throughout the U.S. and Europe, Alexis enjoys coming home to share her experience with others. “I love the Grand Valley! I’ve got some of the best trails right in my backyard and the weather is good for riding year-round,” she says.
As an assistant coach to the CMU women’s mountain bike team, her depth of experience instrumentally helps the CMU women bring home multiple championships. Then there are the frequent rides with local high school teams and her involvement in Grand Valley Youth Cycling. She enjoys leading the GJ Off-Road preride and teaching clinics, such as Girls on Bikes. Her best advice to other riders? “Ride with people who make it a good experience and don’t be hard on yourself. After all, it’s just bikes!”
This advice isn’t just fluff. With the 2020 season being shaken up by a pandemic, Alexis is staying positive. She continues to smile through training miles with her goal to lead the pack across the finish line at races that include the Grand Junction Off Road, Breck Epic, Marathon Nationals and XC Nationals. If this year doesn’t happen, she’ll be back next year. “I plan on racing another four or five years. As long as I’m still improving and having fun, I’ll keep pushing.” :
ROCKYTRAX REVS UP FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Words by Lauren Farrauto | Photos courtesy of RockyTrax
If you grow up on a farm or a ranch, chances are you’ll develop a love for the outdoors. This was certainly true for Andy Hanks, owner of RockyTrax.
As a child, Hanks always wanted to explore. He rode horses and dirt bikes all around his family ranch and spent as much time as possible in the great outdoors. As his own family grew, he strove to cultivate a love of the outdoors in his own children.
Three years ago, Hanks asked himself, “Can I help introduce another family to something that’s had such an impact on our family?” In response, he decided to open RockyTrax, a dirt bike and camper rental company run out of his own home.
Hanks lives on a small ranch just outside Grand Junction with his wife, Kristi, and their four kids. After working in the corporate world for 26 years, Hanks decided it was time to start working from home in order to spend more time with his family. The Hanks family feels very strongly about getting outside. After years of dirt biking and camping, they realized they wanted to share their family pastimes with others. RockyTrax is owned and operated by Hanks right from his ranch outside Grand Junction.
“Converting our family’s passion into a business was an easy decision,” Hanks explains.
RockyTrax offers camper and dirt bike rentals, off-road riding lessons and guided tours. Hanks has three campers for rent — a 30-foot family size camper, a 19-foot camper that sleeps four and is suited for both light off-road and campgrounds, and a small, off-road camper geared towards remote camping. The campers can be delivered to a location and set up by Hanks, or families are welcome to camp on Hanks’ 100-acre ranch, which has easy access to mountain bike trails and the Colorado National Monument.
If dirt bikes are more your speed, Hanks offers rentals, lessons and guided tours for adults of any skill level. Two separate guided tour routes allow those of different abilities to still enjoy the experience and can be half-day, full-day or multi-day for a truly customizable experience. The beginner to intermediate route will take bikers off-road into Telluride to experience incredible views. The more technical and challenging route guides explorers into Montrose, over the mountains, into Moab and finally back to Grand Junction.
Hanks will happily take care of the all details of your rental or lesson experience. “Our service goes beyond renting a camper and sending our customers on their way,” he says.
With RockyTrax, customers should feel free to mix and match their experience. Come for the weekend and stay on the ranch in a camper while learning how to dirt bike. Have half the family camp, while the others adventure into Utah on dirt bikes. Rent a few campers with your friends and family and have your own backcountry expedition. The possibilities for adventure with RockyTrax are as vast as the terrain that can be explored.
Hanks reflects on how many people often disagree on what is the best way to connect with nature.
“Dirt biking, camping in a tent, camping in a camper,” says Hanks, “all those are great ways to view the outdoors.” rockytrax.com :
CRAG CREST TRAIL LOOP
Words + Photos by Melanie Wiseman
The spectacular backbone of the vast Grand Mesa is Crag Crest Trail. Literally the eastwest spine of what is touted as the world’s largest flat top mountain, Crag Crest Trail offers families and seasoned hikers 360˚ views of scenic beauty up to 100 miles away.
Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s/early 40s, this epic hike was designated as a National Recreation Trail by the United States Forest Service in March of 1978. For many locals such as myself, trekking the Crag Crest Trail Loop is an annual tradition. Its accessibility, uncompromising vistas and upper-moderate level of difficulty draw not just locals, but national and international visitors.
At its summit, hikers will traverse a panoramic two-mile narrow ridge overlooking a playground paradise of 300 lakes, streams, campgrounds, fishing spots, horseback riding trails and boating areas. To the east are the Elk Range 14,000-foot peaks near Aspen, Mount Sneffels and the Wilson group in the San Juan Range to the south, and the LaSal mountains in Utah to the west. Remember to watch your footing on the jagged volcanic rock trail as you skirt the ridge. Best to stop when you admire the views and take photos.
GETTING TO THE TRAILHEAD
Just one paved road, Colorado Highway 65 (the Grand Mesa National Scenic and Historic Byway) crosses the Grand Mesa between the towns of Mesa on the north and Cedaredge on the south. Crag Crest Trail (FS Trail 711) can be accessed from two trailheads. The most convenient is considered the west trailhead near mile marker 27, because of its easy access off Highway 65, large paved parking lot and facilities.
The east trailhead is at the Crag Crest Campground across from Eggleston Lake off FS Road 121 (Trickle Park Road). You can hike the entire loop from either trailhead or out and back hikes of your choosing. With spurs to the loop of differing lengths from the trailheads, the loop can vary between 10 and 11 miles. Just the upper section of the loop is 6.6 miles and across the bottom is 3.4 miles. Another option is a shorter up and over hike with a vehicle shuttle between trailheads, saving you about 3 miles.
THE HIKE
Beginning at the west end trailhead, the rewards are almost immediate as the trail leaves the trees and crosses one of many wildflower-filled meadows. The trail switchbacks over a rugged upheaval of porous lava rocks before entering
a shady pine forest and a milder incline. You’ll quickly find it was all worth it as you break out above tree line on the crest, exposing you to breathtaking views and bouquets of purple columbine jutting from between the jagged rocks. The crest tops out at a lofty 11,189 feet just shy of the highest point on the Grand Mesa, Leon Peak to the east at 11,234 feet.
The trail is well marked with distance and directional signs for the Crag Crest Trail or routes to other lake destinations and the Visitor Center.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
Take your time, and allow enough time — at least six hours. The usual Colorado precautions are in order. Carry plenty of water and drink regularly. There are no water sources on the trail unless you carry a water filter. Take snacks and sunglasses and use sunscreen and insect repellent.
Start early in the day, so you are off the highest, most exposed sections of the trail by the afternoon when rain and, more significantly, thunderstorms and potential lightening are common.
Sturdy hiking boots are recommended over tennis shoes or sport sandals due to the sharp, irregular lava rocks.
Because of its elevation, the season for Crag Crest Trail can be fairly short. Depending on previous winter snowfall, get out and enjoy this stunning adventure early- to mid-July to mid-October. :
CARBONDALE, COLORADO CEDAR RIDGE RANCH
Words by Lexi Reich | Photos courtesy of Cedar Ridge Ranch
Now more than ever, a glamping vacation seems like the perfect travel escape. At Cedar Ridge Ranch in Carbondale, Colorado, scenic mountain views of the Roaring Fork Valley and state-of-the-art outdoor accommodations make it an ideal stay for outdoorsmen and luxury travelers alike. From April to October, the ranch offers unique services that promote connection and creation to bring in visitors from all around the world.
The 100-acre estate is a serene and inspirational environment for those looking to connect with animals and the land without sacrificing amenities. Enjoy a comfortable mattress, propane grill, and a bathroom with a porcelain sink and rain shower in the property’s two safari tents, yurt or fully-equipped cabin.
Pam and Randy Johnson founded Cedar Ridge Ranch in 1999 and their daughter Merrill manages the property. The family-run business started off as an equestrian-centered ranch, and has since transitioned to offering farm tours, alpaca yoga, fiber felting classes and horseback riding lessons to guests.
“We want to be inclusive, not exclusive,” Pam says. “I think the way we put it out there has been an amazing filter. We have the neatest folks visiting; we’ve become friends with so many of
them. Their perspective on the world outside of us — being in our little cocoon here — is really special.”
There are horses to ride and quiet evenings under a canvas of stars — this getaway is meant to reunite the outdoor spirit that exists within all of us.
STEWARDS OF THE LAND
Merrill studied sustainable practices in college, and soon sustainability became the forefront of the Cedar Ridge Ranch mission.
“We started repurposing everything,” Pam explains. For instance, the horse stall in the barn has been refurbished into an artist space for creative gatherings and to host farm-to-table meals. When visitors arrive, fresh eggs, bacon, bratwurst and goat milk greet them.
In their farm store you can also purchase fresh pork, eggs, alpaca fiber and apparel. The farm is home to heritage breed animals and Pam says they are much better for the land. Plus, they make and sell compost to the local communities of Carbondale and Aspen.
FARM TO FASHION
One of Pam’s favorite offerings is the alpaca fiber soap felting workshop, also known as “Kiss an Alpaca and Learn to Felt.” She walks guests through the history, traditions and techniques of the natural exfoliant, detailing ways you can use the silky fibers and leave nothing to waste. Also join their rescued alpacas in an “Alpaca Fiber to Fashion” workshop, a true “farm to fashion” favorite!
Take a break from technology overload and reconnect with nature’s rhythm at Cedar Ridge Ranch. cedarridgeranch.com :
BOULDER + LYONS A-LODGE + ADVENTURE VANS
Words by Bobby L’Heureux | Photos courtesy of A-Lodge
With limited options for people to get away this summer, A-Lodge is set up to provide multiple ways for you and the family to head out on an adventure or indulge in some out-of-town downtime.
Located two miles from downtown Boulder up beautiful Fourmile Canyon sits the Boulder Adventure Lodge — the original A-Lodge. Asa Firestone, one of the founders, had a vision to create a hostel for Boulder-based adventurers. He started looking for properties to fit his vision and found the Boulder Mountain Lodge. A few weeks and a few investors later, the lodge was purchased with existing guests.
The new team quickly converted two suites into hostel-style rooms, kept the rest of the hotel intact and built a community lobby.
“We wanted to invest in community first,” Firestone shares. “The foundation-less original lobby took a year and half to get permits and to complete the demolition. It was scary, having no idea about owning a hotel and having no lobby, but we figured it out.”
They have been in renovation mode for all of the rooms over the past five years and recently finished.
SAFE + SUSTAINABLE
Sustainability and limited impact are just a few of the values at the A-Lodge. The railings inside the community lobby are from Aspen Mountain’s ski lift cables and the hearth above the fireplace is the beam from the original lobby at the Boulder Mountain Lodge. The lobby now has electric car
charging ports to help make the building LEEDS certified, “with hopes we will achieve the Gold certification,” shares Firestone.
A–Lodge Boulder has become a place for adventures of many kinds to stay and play. The property hosts a bluegrass picking session once a week and film nights in the summer with a 25-foot inflatable screen. It’s also a great place to hold staff retreats, sales meetings and corporate outings.
In the wake of the global pandemic, A-Lodge is set up well to keep visitors safe. Each room has its own exterior entrance with no shared ventilation or hallways. There are also campsites on property. The property is suited for those who are comfortable gathering and has enough space for those who are not.
The team at A-Lodge has made it easy to use the lodge as a hub for your adventure of choice. They have experiences listed on the A-Lodge website, highlighting local guide companies that provide robust adventure options.
We attended a media event this winter at A–Lodge Boulder. The open-air feeling of the campus was so welcoming and felt like glamping with a room. It was easy for us to go to Eldora for a day of skiing and the access to activities and nature was amazing. It was nice to have a warm room and shower to come home to, rather than a tent. We are excited to load up the bikes for an adventure in Lyons and a stay at the new A–Lodge Lyons when it is ready for us.
ADVENTURE VAN RENTALS
Another option for adventure this summer is an A–Lodge Adventure Van. Each van is specifically designed for bikers, climbers, skiers and hikers
by Titan Vans. There is a module set up to remove and move storage, and racks to customize the van for your experience.
“Our vans are designed and built by an engineer for the adventurer. They are clean and streamlined for function, not as sexy as the reclaimed wood you may have seen in others,” shares Firestone.
Each A-Lodge Adventure Van includes an induction stove, plus-sized sink, outdoor shower, mini-fridge, queen-size bed, solar power, fan, furnace, lighting and indoor storage for bikes, skis and gear.
The collaboration with Titan Vans is perfect for maintenance and is great branding for both organizations. It is also good for those who are planning on building out their own custom van. Titan Van will take the rental cost of an A-Lodge Adventure Van off your build up to $1,500 — what a great way to try before you buy.
Firestone and the crew at A-Lodge continue to look for opportunities to make adventure more accessible for all.
“Our goal is to give you access to the best outdoor adventures, whether you’re climbing, fishing, skiing, cycling, hiking or taking in a town,” he shares. “A-Lodge and A-Lodge Adventure Vans offers instant access to all your favorite adventures and the right amenities to come home to after an exciting day off the beaten path.
Also check out their new project, A-Lodge Lyons, that recently opened. a-lodge.com :
