This special blog post is written by my younger brother Tim. He’s always liked to conquer tall things.  

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I feel highly honored that my brother, Dan, has allowed (guilted) me to adorn his travel blog with a guest posting. I’ll try not to tarnish his well-earned reputation for informative and sarcastic reporting.

After checking into our campsite at Bogan Flats, one of our friendly neighbors dropped by to chat and provided me a guidebook of local hikes. I seem to have a penchant for pushing my body to its limit, so I looked for a hike rated extremely difficult and found one to my liking. The more difficult the hike usually means dramatic views, more wildlife, and less humans…exactly what I usually look for.
The East Creek trail, beginning in Redstone, CO, fit the bill perfectly with a 12-mile round trip and 5,000 feet of elevation gain (could have avoided 2 miles and 600 feet of climbing, but Dan forbid me to take his precious VW up a 4wd road to the trailhead). I asked Dan to come, but he mumbled something about not being 25 anymore. The high point and turnaround was at a pass above 12,000ft in the Maroon Bells and offered jaw-dropping views of the surrounding peaks.   

 Here’s the road Dan made me walk to the trailhead.  

Here are some photos coming up the valley and the hike up.  

I spooked some elk on the way up.

 
Our dad always included flower pictures in his roll of backpacking slides, which we begged him to fast-forward through. Here are some for your enjoyment.

  
  
It was a spectacular day I will never forget. I truly enjoy the solitude and scenery usually only reachable through long, strenuous hikes. If it was easy everybody would do it. Thank you, Dan, for making it possible.