Yesterday being Veteran's Day (and to all the veterans and men and women currently serving in the armed forces, thanks), I had the day off and decided to go out for a hike. I decided to head up to the Brainard Lake Recreation Area that is part of the Roosevelt National Forest, just outside of Ward, Colorado. I could only be out for half a day, but the trip proved to be well worth it. The weather was perfect, I was able to try out some new gear, and I had a couple of interesting encounters with wildlife.

Once up at the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, I needed to decide which trail to hike, which is not an easy choice as this is a beautiful area. I decided to hike the snowshoe trail that leads to Brainard Lake itself. Its one I have done before, so I had a sense of when I would need to turn around and head back from a time stand point. So, I put on my new Outdoor Research gaiters loaded up the back pack, slugged it over the shoulders and headed out.

The trail had already seen good use, so the snow was packed and icy. After only a couple of hundred feet, it was apparent that just hiking boots were going to be dangerous. I stopped and put on a pair of YakTrax Pro traction cleats. Following the Boy Scout motto, "Be Prepared", I had purchased these (along with the gaiters) the night before. Turned out to be one of the best purchases I've made in a long time. The difference was amazing. I was able to cruise up and down some steep, icy hills with a sure footed confidence. I highly recommend them. After walking along for a short spell, I came up on Red Lake and decided to stop and take some photos.

The lake was frozen over and, as the sun came up, the ice started to crack. Imagine the report of a rifle, but with the typical noise replaced by the sound created when you throw a big rock into a still pond, the deep ker-plunk,  that then continued to echo with an almost hollow sound. The first couple of times hearing it, I looked around to see what was making the noise, not noticing the sun warming things up until a little later while I was still taking photos. It was really kind of cool, I'm sure my description doesn't do it justice by any stretch. I should also note that to get to the lake required going off trail through some knee deep snow. The gaiters worked perfectly, as I was spared the snow-balls clinging to socks, slowly freezing an ankle as they melt and drip down into a sock. I couldn't have been happier, I was a perfect two for two in my planning and gear purchasing! Having the right equipment always make a trip better.

After spending about a half an our at Red Lake, I decided to cruise down the trail a bit further. I came upon a smaller pond, crossing the small stream running out of it and then found the remnants of some ambitious persons lakeside chateau. It seemed in about the same condition as a few years ago when I came up the trail, so I'm not sure its seen much use as of late, but at one time, someone had done a nice job with it, even creating a bed out of wooden slats laid across large tree trunks, snuggled up against one side of the lean-to.

A short time later, I had my first encounter with wild life. As I rounded a corner and descended down into a small hollow, I found myself face to face with the most feared of all winter creatures: the Abominable Snowman.

Approaching warily, it appeared he was demanding a toll if I wished to proceed further. Not able to find any shrubbery, I tried shouting, "Ni", but no luck. He wasn't budging. Next, I tried to wrestle him for safe passage, but he quickly placed me in a head lock and forced me to tap out.

Realizing the futility of further efforts of winning safe passage through physical means, I searched nervously for other methods. Then in a moment of pure luck, I came across a Snickers. Hoping he would find it Satisfectellent, as indicated on the back of the wrapper, I decided to see if he would take it as payment. After all, he looked like he'd been out there awhile, he might want to Dehungerize.

Fortunately for me, he took it and I was able to continue down the trail. Just a short while later, I had my second encounter with wild-life. As I came around a grouping of pine trees, I heard some crashing and saw a large, brown, furry object moving from left to right about 25 yards in front of me. My mind clearly not communicating well with my body, I continued to walking towards is it as I tried to make out exactly what it was. It was only when it stopped and turned to check me out that I noticed the ridiculously long looking legs, huge body, and large antlers that could only be a moose. This was only my third ever moose siting in the wild, and I was super excited and nervous at the same time. Its always exciting and humbling to see such a large animal out in the wild. Its also a little unsettling, as you're not sure what it's going to do, and you quickly realize that you are completely operating on its terms, in its element. I stood there staring at it for quite some time before I realized it was practically posing for me. By time I got the camera up to snap a picture, he had determined that, surely, such a puny thing as myself could not be a threat and started walking slowly away. As I watched him leave, I was bit disappointed that I missed such a great opportunity, but thankful that I even had the chance to see him.

I walked a short, uneventful distance further before turning around and heading back to the Jeep. I didn't stop to take many photographs on the way out, so it was a much quicker trip. I even made it back in time to make lunch on my Snow Peak Giga Power stove and test it out further. See the review of it here for more details on how it worked. Overall, it was the perfect way to spend the morning. I enjoyed the great outdoors, tested out (and was thoroughly pleased with) some new gear, got some exercise, and just had a plain old good time.

If you are interested, here is the entire gallery photos that can be clicked on to enlarge or run as a slide show. One of my facorites is the sign about moose living in the area. I especially enjoy the almost bragging manner in which it is stated that they can "run 35 MPH across a trail or road without even looking."