Well, Nupur and I and the girls got to add another notch on our baby carrier last week. We've gotten a bit smarter after two aborted attempts at Royal Arch, and this time we gave the Boulder Mountain Parks rangers a call before starting out. Good thing too. Though the weather looked fine at home and the ground was dry, up on the higher trails it was still icy and wet in the shade and on the rocks. The rangers recommended Marshall Mesa Trail, which was going to be our backup anyway, so we went for it.
It was a much easier trail than the one's we've done, and with no real destination. The trail was full of mountain bikers which was also unlike the trails at Chautauqua where bikes aren't allowed. But the views were really unmatched. (Below you see the flatirons and NCAR, with the snow-covered Longs Peak rising behind.)
We enjoyed a nice picnic lunch at the top of the mesa in the shade of some pine trees. The views from our choice spot weren't all that great, but the shade was welcome because the sun was so hot. It was also nice to find a place clear of cactus to sit down and let the girls play for a bit. I think they get a bit tired of being carried all the time and want to explore their world a bit more closely.
We did a little baby swap on the way down to try out each other's packs. It was nice getting to see Natalie while I hiked. Usually I miss her little face, though Nupur does a good job keeping her occupied for me if she gets fussy.
Marshal Mesa turned out to be a great walk, though not too technical. There is a bunch of interesting literature along the trail about the coal mining history of the site, but the girls were just a little too young to appreciate that aspect, (they did enjoy checking out the bikers though!) I'm glad we got it done with early in the season, because it is so exposed that it would be way too hot later in the Summer.
I guess that's what makes the views so great though!
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