Colorado vacation

My good friend Deremy invited me up to Estes Park, Colo., for the Fourth of July holiday and despite getting altitude sickness I had a wonderful (and literally breathtaking) time seeing the Rocky Mountains. The idea of a national park system and the concept of preservation becomes much clearer once you see such a magnificent landscape for yourself. 

Temperature and weather fluctuates quite a bit. In the valley and lower areas, it’s rather mild. Yet go up to some of the highest elevations you’ll want a jacket for the wind and layers underneath for warmth as it’s just above freezing. And for other parts it can be sunny enough to get sunburned. Plus, rain showers can happen quickly. 

I packed more than I would for a typical trip. Western denim shirts for the extra snap pockets to store random things like a camera lens cap. Comfortable hiking boots that were lightweight and cushioned. And a nice shell jacket with a hood that could pack up easily into a backpack. The canvas pants I picked up featured a banded elastic hem which kept them from getting caught while hiking and snap pockets in the back for security so things wouldn’t fall out. 

Probably the most useful item I brought was a small backpack. There’s lots of heritage hiking and outdoors companies that make ones that look great and still are plenty functional. I found one that was just big enough to carry my small camera, a jacket and water with enough room to spare that I could’ve packed a lunch if I wanted. No point in getting a backpack that’s made to carry schoolbooks like a student if you’re just going for a small hike.  

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Picture 1: Meyvn 6-panel linen ballcap, Polo Ralph Lauren western denim shirt, The Flat Head white heavyweight tee, Stock Mfg Co. riding pant, GREATS Midwood khaki trail boots, Mt. Rainier Design classic day pack

Picture 2: Fjallraven “Sten” jacket, Polo Ralph Lauren western denim shirt, The Flat Head white heavyweight tee, Natural Selection London narrow jeans