Hanging Out In Crested Butte — Happy Birthday Mom!

Mom Dawson’s 78th year and she’s still strutting around Crested Butte like she owns the place. Must be that mountain air. Everyone say Happy B-Day!

Heading out for a hike today. Probably should have brought the skis but haven’t quite switched to summer ski mode yet, as the simplicity of just doing some hikes has been tempting after the long winter and spring of backcountry skiing.

But looking up at the beautiful Elk Mountains from here, I’m still blown away at how much snow is still glowing. You’d think we were in the Cascades or something. So more skiing soon.

For you locals wondering about road conditions: We drove the Silverado over Kebbler Pass. Considered using the Nissan Versa to save some gas money. Glad we didn’t. They’re in the process of chloride sliming the roadbed, so we were in 4-wheel-drive and sliding all over the place in the goo. Could have made it into “Mudder” magazine if I’d been bold enough to get out and take a photo (I wasn’t). Once on the dry road, the washboard was so bad it probably would have done something very nasty to the Versa. Beater trucks have their place. (After Kebbler, any truck is a beater.)

Next trip over here will be in the Jeep, on the 4×4 trails, we hope.

Thanks for all the comments on the land use issues we bring up. I know we’re not PC in that we don’t worship ever more Wilderness. But all we’re really advocating is balance. Where that balance exists is worth ranting about and even discussing, in my opinion.

Indeed, I’m wondering if we need a non-profit that’s simply dedicated to advocacy for backcountry recreation. Such would work to keep trailheads maintained, dry/gated roads opened in spring, stuff like that. Such would combine and attempt to balance advocacy for all forms of legal recreation, be they motorized or not. Interesting concept? As always, ready for comments.