Breckenridge Colorado. Elevation 9600 ft. What a view! It’s known for ski resorts and gold rush history. If you are into skiing, hiking, biking, this is the place! We were here in mid and late September and the Aspen trees were in full color. Mother Nature at her finest!

Hiking for us “flatlanders” is not without its challenges. Especially since we were novices and not used to the altitude!(pant! pant!) Finding the trail head was not an easy task either. Did the directions say “look for the teepee?” Nope!

Our trail brought us to this abandoned gold mining dredge which last operated in 1922. These things were earth eating machines digging their way through the valley in search of gold. The piles of rocks (or tailings) you see behind are what was discarded after the gold had been separated.

“click” for larger view

It’s easy to see why so many love the mountains!

We’ve seen this in pictures so many times. Billboards, ads, businesses all showing the familiar faces. Even our license plates have George, Thomas, Theodore and Abraham on them! BUT none of these even come close to capturing the awe inspiring feeing of viewing these past US presidents in person!

The rope and bag  are being used to bring new crack monitoring sensors to the top which track movement within the rock.

The view from the top of the Black Hills.

 

We were lucky enough to capture this mother and baby mountain goat on the rocks a few yard away!

It took an incredable talent and vision to create this masterpiece in the Black hills of South Dakota. What and incredable day!!