Half an Hour Away -

Sunset Alpine Touring at Crested Butte: An Adventure to Remember

distance from denver: AROUND 4 HOURS

Gearing Up for My First Alpine Touring Adventure

I recently went on my first alpine-touring adventure at Crested Butte Mountain Resort! While I had previously skied St. Mary’s Glacier (a few times) and terrain off Berthoud Pass (once), this was different. During those earlier outings, I hiked up in hiking boots for St. Mary’s and ski boots at Berthoud Pass, so using a full touring setup was a completely new experience.

Jon got a touring setup last year and has done a few backcountry excursions. More recently, he started skinning at the resorts. After completing his first resort tour at Eldora, he enthusiastically told me I would love it. I was immediately interested.

🎿 Skinning refers to climbing uphill with “skins”—strips that stick to the bottom of your skis for traction.

Leading up to our recent trip to Crested Butte, Jon mentioned he wanted to do some sunset alpine touring at the resort. I was drawn in right away and called a ski shop in the area to inquire about renting a setup.

Touring setups differ from traditional ski setups in a few key ways, including the type of bindings and boots. A touring setup also includes skins. I was able to get a great deal at The Alpineer in town

Prepping for My First Tour

After checking into our hotel, we headed to the mountain, remembering to grab our headlamps. CB’s uphill policy allows skiers to skin up and ski in designated areas between 4:30 pm and 8:45 am. (Uphill access can vary by resort. Winter Park, for example, allows uphill access while the lifts are running.)

I got my boots on, ensured they were in walk mode, stuck the skins on my skis, and clipped into the skis. Jon helped me get the hang of my setup and clip in. With touring bindings, your heel is free during uphill ski mode, allowing you to climb more easily. There are also risers you can put down to raise your heels when climbing steeper hills.

Uphill Access: More Than Expected

We embarked on our sunset tour at 5:30 pm, climbing on the designated route as music was thumping from the base. We saw some others uphilling as well. Jon initially believed this would be a quick lap, as it didn’t seem we could go very far up. He even thought we might have time for two laps. Soon, however, we realized we could go much further than we initially thought.

Learning the Rhythm of Alpine Touring

Going uphill on skis is a very interesting experience. Jon advised me to slide the skis up rather than lift them off the ground. It definitely got my heart rate up, and it took some time to figure out, but it was really fun! Once I started to get more comfortable, I was feeling it. 😎

We climbed for a bit before Jon told me we had gained about 300 feet of elevation. I was having fun and feeling proud, but hearing we’d only ascended 300 feet bummed me out a little. Thankfully, time started to move faster as we climbed higher, and I couldn’t believe how quickly we gained elevation.

A Stunning Scene

The sun was setting, and the scene was beautiful. A hazy glow enveloped the mountains while orange crept into the sky. I couldn’t stop looking around and commenting on how cool this was. I must’ve said wow and oh my god a zillion times.

It was also pretty peaceful. Yes, there were other skiers out and about (but way fewer than during lift operations), and there were sometimes noises of snowcats, but it was still so calm and magical.

There’s something special about climbing up a mountain with skis on. I couldn’t help but think of when Jon talks about “earning your turns” while mountain biking.

🏔️ Fun Fact
The phrase “earn your turns” was coined in the 1970s by backcountry skiers who hiked up mountains to enjoy their hard-earned descents.

I love how touring uniquely combines hiking and skiing and adds a new twist to the resort experience. I felt very accomplished and happy as we continued our ascent. I excitedly mentioned that I could see myself getting into this. Jon knew I would feel this way.

From Skinning to Skiing

We finally reached the top of the uphill access, which is 1,661 feet of gain. This climb took us a total of 1 hour and 26 minutes–not bad! (See stats in the gallery below.)

It was time to transition. Of course, I had to snap some more pics before we did. I was starting to get chillier around this time. I had worn base layers, my melly, and my bib, with my gloves around my wrist. I felt pretty warm during the climb—almost too warm—but once we reached the top, I got cold, especially in my hands. Transitioning to downhill mode involved taking off my skis to remove the skins and then adjusting the bindings. The whole process took us about fifteen minutes (including taking our pictures).

We started the downhill portion of our adventure. I instantly felt super awkward. Since I wasn’t used to the bindings, I was a little shaky. The snow was also a bit crusty, in my opinion (it’s been a weird season). But I took it slow and steady, and I eventually felt more comfortable.

From ‘Wow’ to ‘Oops’

We skied and skied down pretty low-key terrain in the dwindling daylight. This is just so cool, I thought. The high didn’t last forever, though. Following the path down should’ve been easy, but we quickly got confused about the correct route and went the wrong way. We found ourselves at the bottom of the East River Express lift, and ropes were blocking the way down. Big yikes. So, after we had been skiing for 16 minutes, we had to skin a second time to get up and out of where we ended up.

I had been so blissful and excited when we were skiing. Unfortunately, our mistake made the whole thing take much longer than planned. I begrudgingly transitioned to uphill mode once more. At least it was more practice (I guess!). Exhaustion and frustration hit me hard.

An Extra Hour of Skinning (And a Mental Battle)

We had to skin for about another hour. Jon kept giving me progress updates, hoping to reassure me that we were almost there. All I heard was, “We still have to go up more”. My emotions were a little scattered. As the sky turned dark, sprinkled with stars, and the nearly full moon shone, I was caught between annoyance that we were still out at this hour and appreciation for how cool this was.

I decided we would need some beer when we were done, even though it was a Wednesday. We also realized that during our first downhill round, I completely forgot to switch my boots to ski mode, which could have certainly been another contributing factor to how awkward it felt.

At Last—The End of the Climb

Finally, after what felt like ten thousand years, we made it to the top of the Painter Boy lift, where a sign noted the way down to the base. When we got there, we began transitioning for the final time. This time, I made sure to flip my boots into ski mode.

A Run-In with the Snowcat Operator

We ran into a snowcat operator, who said we were not supposed to be there. We explained that we had made a mistake and expressed how sorry we were, and he was understanding. He even said he’d had to tell other skiers they were in the wrong place, so we weren’t the only ones. He wished us well and went on with his job.

The Final Descent—For Real This Time

We made our way down and back to the base. Thankfully, this took less than ten minutes. Boy, was I relieved to be off the mountain.

From Grumpy to Grateful

The whole activity ended up being 2,723 feet of elevation gain (remember when we thought it would be a short excursion?). It took us about 3.5 hours, meaning we didn’t return to the bottom until 9 pm. Phew!

We took off our gear and began walking back to the hotel, feeling so accomplished and breathing sighs of relief. Jon mentioned it was probably good for me to get that extra practice. He had also snapped some amazing photos of the starry night on the hill. Gotta find the silver lining! And what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger or whatever. Yes, I was a grumpy girl for a minute there, but it was an experience I will never forget.

A Bartender Saves the Day & Hotel TV

We had to figure out a dinner plan. Since it was past 9 pm in a small mountain town, most restaurants or bar kitchens had already closed. Luckily, a lovely bartender made an exception and allowed us to place a food order to-go. An angel in the flesh! She was so sweet (and she got a good tip). We enjoyed hazy beers while waiting for our food, which we brought to the hotel and ate in the common area.

Though it was late and we were exhausted, we still had to shower. Once we were cozy in our PJs, it was time for our favorite–hotel TV! We landed on House Hunters, a classic. Eventually, we switched the channel to Magnolia Network, where we enjoyed some Fixer Upper: Welcome Home. Despite being so tired, I was pretty invested in the outcome. We didn’t go to bed until around 2 am. It sure was a long day!

New Hobby Unlocked

So, would I go alpine touring again? You bet! I want to get a touring setup and do this more often. Before the chaos, I was really into it. Even during the chaos, I had moments of wonder. You live, and you learn!

As a newbie, I especially enjoyed being at the resort. I want to try backcountry trips at some point, but there’s a lot more risk involved. Resort uphilling feels a lot more accessible and safe. Plus, it was a fun new way to experience the resort. I look forward to getting more into uphill skiing and continuing to try ~all the things~ this side of the country has to offer!

Make sure you have a solid understanding of maps and where you can go! I definitely wouldn’t recommend going off-course. You are not allowed to, for one. We found the joy in the journey, but you kind of have to in these times. So if you’re going to be inspired, be inspired by trying new things and finding beauty in struggles, not in doing things you are not supposed to.

Rooftop Tent Trip #1: Wrapping Up Our Adventure (Days 15 & 16)

Our First Rooftop Tent Adventure series is coming to a close! We spent the final two days in Jackson, before bad weather led us to return home early. Despite the change of plans, we enjoyed ourselves as our trip was winding down.

Trip Diary Begins:

Wednesday, May 31

Once again, we slept in to get some extra snuggle time in. I was very sleepy. Then, we made our way to Jackson, Wyoming, encountering lovely mountain scenery on our drive. (The Tetons are spectacular.)

After a relatively uneventful day getting some work done, we went to dinner at Merry Piglets, a Tex-Mex restuarant. There, we had Spicy Huckleberry Margaritas, which were delightful. I love embracing huckleberry flavored things, which are quite popular in the Yellowstone area. (We just talked about the wontons with huckleberry dipping sauce at Slippery Otter Pub.) Our meal was pretty heavy, but boy did those margs hit the spot. We’ve since returned to Merry Piglets, and the margaritas were just as good as we remembered.

I noted in my notes app entry for the day that the town of Jackson is so cute. Once again, I stand by that (how couldn’t you though? If you’ve ever been to Jackson, you know). I’ve been back a couple of times since this first trip, and I love it there, especially in the summer.

Thursday, June 1

Switching things up from all our sleeping in, we woke up mad early. We arrived at Cowboy Coffee before it opened at 6 am. Once we were inside, I basically napped on Jon’s shoulder for awhile, before starting on my work around 7:30.

We made the tough decision to end our trip a little early because the weather got crappy. It was rainy and had even started storming. Though we wanted to spend more time exploring Yellowstone (I would have loved to see Grand Prismatic), it was the right call. It was cool that we even got to experience Yellowstone at all!

Scary Fact: Yellowstone’s geothermal features are beautiful, but incredibly dangerous. I remember falling asleep to a podcast once, and awakening to a horrifying discussion about encounters with these features that led to death or injury. The good news? Deaths and injuries are extremely rare. Just be smart and follow the instrcutions at the park! Don’t be a touron—for your own good.

We were pretty conflicted but both felt it would be good to just start heading home. Of course, we were still sad the trip was ending. It’s always bittersweet ya know? But in that moment, I belonged in the car eating White Cheddar PopCorners. There’s always next time—and we will be back!

Trip Reflection

So, that’ll do it with this series! Our first road trip with the rooftop tent was so amazing. We skied in Mammoth, which has become one of our favorite mountains, explored the Oregon Coast, went to a music festival, enjoyed an “average day“, and even saw a bit of Yellowstone.

Our rooftop tent has enhanced our adventures so much, and I can’t wait to do another 2-week+ road trip with it! We use it all the time in the summer and fall, and it will continue to be a staple of many journeys to come. I look forward to exploring more, experiencing more, and sharing more of these special moments.

Rooftop Tent Trip #1: A Taste of Yellowstone (Day 14)

We’re approaching the end of Our First Rooftop Tent Adventure! On Day 14, we bounced between Montana and Wyoming, explored a piece of Yellowstone National Park, and ate more delicious food.

Trip Diary Begins:

Tuesday, May 30

Feeling sleepy and not prepared to start our day, we snoozed the alarm multiple times. It was a sweet morning of prolonged cuddles and coziness. Eventually, it was time to get on the road once again. I stayed awake for a bit during the drive, but since I’m lucky enough to be a passenger princess most of the time, I got to sleep even more in the car.

We stopped at a coffee shop, where I had matcha and a burrito, and Jon ordered a bagel sandwich and a coffee. We listened to more of the Therapy Gecko podcast as we made our way to the Wyoming side of Yellowstone.

Fun Fact: Yellowstone is primarily in Wyoming, but a small percentage of the park is in Montana and Idaho.

As we drove through the park, we saw a ton of bison on the side of the road, which was super cool. I love seeing wild animals (and eating them — bison are delicious. Sorry!). We even saw some cute little baby bison. 👶🦬

We then enjoyed a lovely hike on Dunraven Pass. There was still a good amount of snow this time of year, and it was a bit later in the day, so we only hiked about half of it. Regardless, it was a beautiful hike, and the weather was quite pleasant.

Unsurprisingly, we found ourselves in some crazy traffic on the way out of the park. We also saw more bison (yum).

Back in Montana, we went to a restaurant called Slippery Otter Pub. We kicked things off with jalapeño wontons with huckleberry dipping sauce (they were 🔥), followed by elk and bison burgers (like I said, bison is delish).

It was time to find a camping spot for the night. The evening was rainy—moody, cozy, and atmospheric. We watched the series finale of Succession in the tent before going to sleep. It was the perfect cozy end to our day.

Rooftop Tent Trip #1: Chili’s & The Little Mermaid (Day 13)

It’s time for another post about Our First Rooftop Tent Adventure! This particular day was memorable for a different reason. Although we didn’t see any sights, it’s a notable memory from this trip. There’s something to be said about the joy of an “average” day, even on an exciting road trip.

Trip Diary Begins:

Monday, May 29

The time came to depart from the festival. We woke up around 9, used the bathroom, got packed up, and said goodbye to our friends before we hit the road again.

We drove about 3 hrs to Spokane and stopped at Planet Fitness to shower. As prep for our trip, we got PF memberships. This allowed us to easily shower at various places along our route.

One woman at the gym gave off some weird vibes, which seemed to confirm what we’d heard about Spokane. We met someone at The Gorge who lived in Spokane, and he mentioned there was a “heavy” feel to the area. (No shade to Spokane!) Maybe it was confirmation bias, but we thought something was a little off, and the unpleasant woman wasn’t helping. But hey, we all have bad days.

Okay, onto the good stuff. For lunch, we decided to go to Chili’s. Sometimes, the classic chain restaurants are just what you need. We started by ordering Presidente Margaritas. These margs come with a shaker so you can shake them at the table, adding a fun interactive element to the meal. For food, we got an appetizer trio and quesadillas. It wasn’t anything new or local to the area, but it truly hit the spot.

The perfect follow-up to a chain restaurant meal is going to see a movie. The live-action version of The Little Mermaid had recently come out, and I was super excited to see it. I don’t consider myself a Disney Adult™, but I do enjoy certain Disney movies (especially The Little Mermaid). I was curious to see how the underwater scenes would look, and I thought Halle Bailey was the perfect choice for Ariel. She literally looks like a princess, and she has a beautiful voice.

Jon and I both loved the movie. It was a magical, colorful, and fun-filled experience. The songs are so iconic, too! Jon especially appreciated the message of following your own path and listening to your heart, and I can’t argue with that. It was an absolute 11/10 film, and I highly recommend it. If you’re interested in checking out live-action Disney movies, please watch this one. I haven’t seen it since that first time in Spokane, but I’m craving another watch right now. Love, love, love!

After our wonderful time at lunch and the movies, it was time to get back on the road. Along the way, we stopped at a cool gas station in Montana. (It may have been the St. Regis Travel Center.) Yes, even gas stations can be cool sometimes.

We listened to The Therapy Gecko podcast during our drive (which I completely forgot about until working on this). It’s certainly a unique podcast, where a man with no professional qualifications gives advice to callers. Sometimes the advice is good, and other times I find it to be questionable. Oh, and he’s also dressed like a lizard, which you obviously can’t see if you’re only listening, but it’s part of his whole schtick.

In one of the episodes we listened to, he had an interesting conversation about living in the moment versus always looking for the next thing. That can definitely be hard to do sometimes, especially if you’re always planning your next trip like we are. But it’s a great reminder to slow down and be present.

Overall, this was a top-tier day. We didn’t ski, hike, travel the coast, or see live music, but we had a wonderful time enjoying simple pleasures. For this reason, this day stands out to me. I love that during a trip where we did so many exciting and new things, we also had a great time doing something typical of an ordinary suburban weekend. There’s a certain beauty in that—one I can’t ignore.

Rooftop Tent Trip #1: Memorial Day Weekend Music Festival (Days 11 & 12)

We’re making our way through Our First Rooftop Tent Adventure! In this post, I’ll be sharing the two days we spent at The Gorge Amphitheater over Memorial Day weekend for a music festival headlined by Illenium. This festival was actually what had initiated the whole plan for the trip. Jon’s friend, who lives in Seattle, had told him about it, and we decided it would be the perfect excuse to spend some time road-tripping west of Colorado.

Trip Diary Begins:

Saturday, May 27

We arrived in Seattle the previous day and stayed with Jon’s friend. We left his apartment around 9 in the morning to head toward the Gorge, making a few stops along the way (bagels, Safeway, etc).

Eventually, we got to the campground. We got ourselves set up and relaxed for a while before it was time for the show to start. When the time got closer, I began to change into my festival outfit and put on some makeup. I had bought a really fun beaded sheer blue skirt from iHeartRaves (which I went on to destroy in the washing machine…RIP), which I paired with a blue sequined bodysuit. Jon wore a fun Hawaiian shirt and shorts.

They had a few different food options in the campground, and I enjoyed some Thai curry.

When it was time for the show, we walked into the concert venue. Jon and I stayed through most of Tiesto’s set, before getting tired and heading back to camp. Unfortunately, there was no re-entry allowed after leaving the venue, so we wouldn’t have been able to go back in that night if we wanted. We didn’t see Illenium that night, but he’d be performing again the following night anyway.

Before we turned in for the night, we met some fellow concert-goers in the campground, who let Jon borrow a phone charger for a bit. Gotta love the festival friendliness!

Sunday, May 28

We woke up around 7 and Jon cooked us up some breakfast. Then we spent a lot of time sitting around before the shows started. The sun was beating down hard on us, which was very draining.

We made friends with our neighboring campers and played rage cage together. Jon and I needed to take a beat, so we went for a walk and got some Kona ice. It was a refreshing treat that was perfect for the heat.

Finally, it was time to get ready for the shows again. Obviously, I had a new fit for the day. I also put my hair in bubble braids and added some glitter to my look. I had brought some glitter gel, which Jon and I both used. We even shared some with our other friends and neighbors. It was a hit!

We went to the venue and ordered garlic parmesan chicken and margs and sat down to eat. We migrated to a different grassy area to chill during the set. (I do not remember, nor can I find who was performing at this time.) Later on, we moved down to the lower pit area for the rest of the show (Dabin & Illenium). This night, Illenium performed his throwback set.

A big moment for me was when a lovely girly gave me my first kandi, a beaded bracelet that’s a big part of EDM and rave culture. She asked me my sign, and handed me a Virgo themed bracelet while she walked me through the whole ritual.

The time came for us to head back to our car and turn in for the night. It was a long day (with a lot of sitting around and a lot of partying), so we were ready to be tucked away in the tent.

Rooftop Tent Trip #1: From California to Oregon (Days 7 & 8)

Welcome to the next chapter of Our First Rooftop Tent Adventure! During these two days, we journeyed from California to Oregon. On Tuesday, we hiked among the Redwoods before crossing the state line. We spent Wednesday traveling along the Oregon Coast from sunrise to sunset.

Trip Diary Begins:

Tuesday, May 23rd

The previous night, we camped in a forested area by a beach near the Redwood National and State Parks. In the morning, we walked down to get a look at the beach. While it was pleasant, it didn’t particularly stand out. (Stay tuned for the breathtaking beaches we encountered in Oregon.) I also got my shoe all caked in mud (oops). After our little beach-viewing excursion, we enjoyed a breakfast of eggs and bacon before embarking on a 12.5-mile hike in the Redwood area.

Jon, being the most energetic person I know, had enough energy to go for a bike ride after our hike. I stayed in the car, updating my trip journal and searching for dinner spots. Upon his return, we decided on Seaquake Brewing.

Before our table was ready, we ordered drinks at the bar. I started with Kombucha. The bartender recommended mixing pineapple and strawberry lemon, and it was delightful. Once we were seated, we ordered garlic bread, soppressata pizza, and fish tacos. We each ordered flights to go with our food. I had a couple of sours, and I particularly enjoyed the lime one. I also had more Kombucha for one of my options, this time opting for a blueberry peach flavor. We love gut health!

Our journey led us to a camp spot near Secret Beach in Oregon. We went straight to bed, falling asleep to the ever-so-tranquil highway noises.

Wednesday, May 24th: Sunrise to Sunset Along the Oregon Coast

Jon and Lai smiling for a selfie at Secret Beach on the Oregon coast. The beach features dramatic rock formations and turquoise water.

The alarm went off around 5:30 am. We snoozed it once before getting up to watch the sunrise.

We walked a short distance from the car to the beach. Secret Beach was awe-inspiring. This magical hidden cove with enchanting views felt like something out of a fantasy novel. Even better, we were the only ones there that early. It was so peaceful. We felt as if we were on our very own beach (a secret beach, if you will) where we could listen to the sound of the waves and welcome the morning. It was truly one of the most incredible moments. A small coastline framed a beautiful, expansive, sky-blue colored sea. Large rocks emerged from the water (sea stacks), decorating it with their rugged beauty.

We spent about 30 minutes exploring the area and taking it all in before walking back up to the car. At the car, the sounds of the highway replaced the sounds of the waves. We fell asleep to those highway noises once again as we took a pre-breakfast nap in the car.

We ate eggs and sausage at a new spot by the water. It was a big day for ocean views! En route to a hiking/biking trail, we stopped at a lookout by the water (what did I tell you?) and sat for a bit. Then, it was time to get some exercise! After our respective activities in the same trail network, we enjoyed leftover pizza.

It was finally time to head toward Luna Sea Fish House in Yachats. Unsurprisingly, we drove past another beautiful beach overlook, where we stopped for #views once more. Once we got our fix at this one, we continued our drive to the restaurant.

The fish was delicious. Jon even said it was “the best bite of seafood I’ve ever had”. We ordered the Luna Sea Combo (we went for the fried option), which includes Halibut, Albacore, and Wild King Salmon, served alongside fries and coleslaw. I will 1,000% be back!

We ended our day in a similar way to how we began it—by watching the sunset at a beach. McPhillips Beach is especially cool because you can drive on it. We spent some time frolicking and soaking in the beautiful sunset—the perfect bookend to our day along the coast.

After a day of enjoying the beauty of the Oregon Coast, we found a place near Portland to camp in the Tillamook Forest area.

Jon standing between two towering tree trunks, smiling as he holds onto them.

Selfie of Jon and Lai inside the hollow of a massive tree. Jon is kissing Lai on the cheek and she is smiling.

Rooftop Tent Trip #1: Skiing at Mammoth Mountain (Days 3 & 4)

It’s time for another installment of Our First Rooftop Tent Adventure! On days 3 & 4 of our first rooftop tent road trip, we had so much fun skiing at Mammoth Mountain. With plenty of spring snow, sunshine, and amazing après vibes, it was an unforgettable stop. We were even spoiled with a couple of nights at a hotel.

Trip Diary Begins:

Friday, May 19th

After a good night’s sleep, we woke up, packed up camp, and set off for Mammoth Mountain, just a short drive from our campsite. After arriving at the resort, Jon slammed his finger in the car door. Not fun! Luckily, this didn’t require a trip to urgent care. When we effectively sought a friend’s opinion (it’s great having a Physician Assistant friend; you know who you are), we decided that he would be fine, bandaged the finger, and got on with our day.

We started skiing around noon, dressed in Hawaiian shirts and jean shorts. It was my first time skiing in shorts, and I loved it. The weather was amazing, and our outfits were perfect for it! The slushy spring snow was super fun, and Mammoth had a lot of snow, especially for mid-May. They had about 30 runs open at this point. Skiing there was a blast and a half. This was also my first day skiing a wiggle, which was fun, even though I didn’t ski the entirety of the wiggle.

After a bit of skiing, we stopped back at the car and had lunch. Once we had eaten, we headed to the (fantastic) après at the Yoddler. It was so much fun! We each got an Aperol Spritz—one of the perfect après drinks, IMO.

That night, we were living the life of hotel luxury at the Motel 6. We checked in, relaxed, and freshened up before heading to a brewery for dinner. At the brewery, we ate yummy nachos and buffalo chicken flatbread. We returned to the hotel and had a chill night watching a little HGTV before bed. Enjoying the comforts of the hotel, we decided to book a second night.

Writing this now makes me wish I was on vacation again. No worries, just vibes, HGTV, and a hotel bed.

Saturday, May 20th

The weather was lovely again! I wore a different pair of jean shorts and a crop top, while Jon wore a tank and jorts. I also had my Mellanzana with me for the chillier moments. We even ~sorta~ got to ski through some trees, which was nice for this late in the season.

It eventually started raining. There was even a lightning warning! Because of the brief moment of ~weather~, we had to stop skiing for a hot sec, but it didn’t last long. We skied a couple more laps, bought some merch (obviously), and hit après again. This day was even more lit since it was a Saturday. The party had it all: champagne spraying, a guy doing yo-yo tricks, an older lady dancing on the table, and even a few dogs. Such a vibe! After we were done there, we went back to the hotel. We sat outside for a bit before deciding on a new brewery to go to. After we enjoyed our beers, we went to Roberto’s Cafe for dinner. I had beef taquitos and Jon had a carne asada burrito. We caught a stunning sunset before going to bed.

Toyota 4Runner is parked in a pine forest with a rooftop tent set up. A mountain bike is attached to the back, and camping gear, including a storage bin, is on the ground beside the vehicle.

Selfie of Jon and Lai in ski gear and tropical shirts in front of a large woolly mammoth statue at Mammoth Mountain. They are smiling, wearing helmets and sunglasses.

Rooftop Tent Trip #1: Denver to Mammoth Lakes (Days 1 & 2)

Lovely red rock scenery in the Capitol Reef area of Utah.

The weather in Colorado has been pretty warm recently, and spring is right around the corner. While it is a little unsettling that the temps have been above 60°F in February and March, I can’t say the sunshine doesn’t feel good. We recently returned from an Aspen trip that was a blast, even though it was pretty dry. The snow conditions weren’t ideal, but the weather was absolutely beautiful.

Since it’s been feeling pretty springlike lately (and spring is quickly approaching), I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to look back at one of our most memorable trips: our first major outing with the rooftop tent in the spring of 2023. We explored many amazing destinations over our two-week road trip. While we had many memorable camping trips before, the addition of the rooftop tent marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our outdoor adventures.

Pieces of Our Adventure

I’ll be breaking the trip up into various posts, grouping a few days in each one. During the trip, I took daily notes—some just for myself and others in preparation for our blog, which at the time was only an idea. I won’t be detailing every single day—just the parts I want to share. Now, almost two years later, I’m revisiting these incredible memories on our blog—something I’m thrilled has finally become a reality! I hope you enjoy these stories from our trip. 😊

Note: For this series, I’m switching things up a bit from our usual blog posts. As readers of Half an Hour Away know, we typically highlight how far certain destinations are from Denver, providing those distance and time insights up front. However, since this trip was more about the journey than a single destination, the format will look a little different. I hope you enjoy this new approach!

Trip Diary Begins:

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

We left Denver in the evening. Packing seemed to take forever, but that’s how travel goes, at least in my experience. We eventually stopped somewhere in Utah to camp.

Thursday, May 18, 2023

We woke up and set off, driving through some cool scenery. Utah has that red rock/desert vibe, which is really pretty to drive through. We found a spot near a lake to cook breakfast, driving by Capitol Reef on the way. Jon made us fried eggs and sausage on the portable grill. Three cute dogs ran over to us to say hello, then ran off again back to their owners. It was a blissful way to start the day. Oh, life on the road truly is something special.

From there, we drove to a spot where Jon could go mountain biking and I could hike. I hiked about 3 miles, and Jon biked 8. Afterward, we made our way to our next stop—Vegas. As part of the route, we decided to visit Taco Bell Cantina. In fact, it was the only reason we went through Vegas. Of course, Vegas being Vegas, the traffic was awful. Once we finally found somewhere to park, we walked to Taco Bell. We both ordered Baja Blasts with double shots of Patron in big swirly cups. Unsurprisingly, it was a lot more expensive than your average Taco Bell trip. But was it worth it? Absolutely.

After walking around for a bit, we continued our journey. We eventually arrived in Mammoth Lakes, California. After our first attempt to find a camping spot didn’t pan out, we finally found the perfect place. We watched Better Call Saul at the folding table under the stars before getting too tired and calling it a night. We got in the tent and went to sleep.

Note on Solo Hiking:

I enjoy hiking alone, but it’s crucial to be cautious and prepared, especially as a woman. While some may caution against it, embracing these experiences helps me maintain my independence and enjoy the outdoors without limitation. If you choose to hike alone, make sure to carry pepper spray and/or bear spray, stay alert, and practice situational awareness.

A piece of scenery from our Utah hike/bike ride. It's very desert-like and you can see red dirt and trees.

Vegas from the car window. The Eiffel Tower replica is visible, among other buildings.

The Ultimate Crested Butte Guide: Our Top Picks for Food, Hikes, and More

distance from Denver: around 4 hours

Yellow aspen trees framing a mountain scene in Crested Butte in the autumn

Crested Butte is one of our absolute favorite mountain towns! This adorable town has beautiful mountain views, great food, and perfect vibes. We recently visited this fall, making that the third time we’ve been in the past five months. It’s our dream to live in the area one day. I’m going to be sharing some of our top spots in Crested Butte, from restaurants to hikes and everything in between. The list will be ever-evolving as we continue to visit again and again. Let’s get into it!

Food/Drink

Breadery
Carbo-holics will love Breadery. Start your meal with the most delicious sourdough bread chunk. You can either go for the daily special or a basic sourdough. It comes with oil and vinegar, but you can also add herbed roasted garlic oil and various kinds of butter. The menu changes seasonally, which is something I love. I recommend making a reservation if you plan on dining here, which you should.
The Hideout
We just visited here recently and it was fantastic. The Hideout offers an amazingly tasty fusion menu, a lovely outdoor space, and fantastic service. I definitely recommend the bao.
The Secret Stash
If you’re in a pizza mood, check out The Secret Stash. They have tons of really fun and unique pizza flavors.
Mikeys Pizza
Another great option for pizza is Mikey’s. We went here once when Jon smelled the pizza wafting through the air from outside. While I didn’t order anything myself, I had a bite of his giant slice. It was incredible.
Butte Bagels
If you’re into bagel sandwiches, head to Butte Bagels. It’s a pretty popular spot, so be prepared to wait in line. They offer both breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Oftentimes, it’s our first stop when getting to CB.
McGills
If you’re looking for more of a sit-down breakfast, head to McGills. This spot is a great classic diner. Jon and I enjoyed some French Toast and Corned Beef Hash and Eggs.
The Eldo Brewery
I can’t imagine a trip to CB without visiting The Eldo. On top of great local beer, they also have a kitchen serving up Himalayan food, though it’s technically a separate business. Upon walking in, you’re welcomed by the smell of delicious spices. Be sure to try the Chicken Momo (and get it fried). They also have an awesome rooftop space with heaters.

Coffee/Tea

T-Bar
T-Bar has a large menu of teas, coffee, smoothies, and more. The honey cold brew matcha is a must-try. I have yet to find a matcha I like as much as this one.

Shopping

Scout’s General Store
A little off the main strip, Scout’s General is a cute shop with a little bit of everything. I love this store! I especially enjoy browsing their clothes and accessories.

Hiking

Autumn photo from the Cliff Creek Trail 840 to Beckwith Pass Trail 842 in Crested Butte.

Crested Butte has a variety of hiking trails that highlight the best of the area’s natural beauty, from wildflowers to vibrant aspens to mountain vistas. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely walk or a challenging hike, there’s something for everyone here. We’ve picked out some favorites to get you started. Check out our top spots in Crested Butte for hiking

Crested Butte Upper and Lower Loop
I’ve done this hike multiple times within just a few months. It’s close to town, has beautiful views, and isn’t super challenging. This is also the first hike I took my friends on while they were visiting Colorado.
Difficulty: Easy
Snodgrass Mountain Trail
This trail is especially awesome during wildflower season, but is also great for fall colors!
Difficulty: Moderate
Dyke Creek Trail
Dyke Creek Trail is lovely for hikers and mountain bikers alike (as well as horseback riders).
Difficulty: Hard
Baxter Gulch Trail
I hiked about half of this trail last fall, which was absolutely gorgeous. It’s actually where I captured the cover photo on this blog post.
Difficulty: Hard
Cliff Creek Trail 840 to Beckwith Pass Trail 842
Jon and I enjoyed this lovely hike one autumn morning. It was the perfect way to start the day.
Difficulty: Moderate

Biking (Jon’s Corner)

Crested Butte is often regarded as a mecca for mountain biking, and for good reason. With its expansive network of trails, ranging from beginner-friendly loops to challenging alpine adventures, this town offers something for every level of rider. Whether you’re looking to cruise through wildflower meadows, navigate aspen groves, or test your skills on a high-altitude single track, Crested Butte has it all. While the options are seemingly endless, we’ve highlighted a few must-ride trails that capture the essence of this mountain biking paradise.

401 Loop
This trail is often hailed as the crown jewel of Crested Butte mountain biking, and for good reason. Though it’s located about half an hour from town via Schofield Pass, the journey is more than worth it. The classic route begins with a challenging climb up the Schofield Pass 4×4 road, offering a perfect chance to take in the striking beauty of Emerald Lake before you hit the 401 singletrack. The best time to ride this trail is in mid-summer when the wildflowers are in full bloom, providing a colorful and unforgettable backdrop.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Pro Tip: Start early in the day to avoid afternoon thunderstorms, which are common in the mountains during the summer.
Crested Butte Upper and Lower Loop
These trails, which Helaina also recommends for hiking, are equally popular with mountain bikers. They’re perfect if you’re pressed for time or just starting out, yet still want to soak in the stunning scenery of Crested Butte. Located conveniently close to town, this loop offers a great mix of flowing singletrack and mild climbs that cater to beginners while still offering scenic views.
Difficulty: Beginner
Pro Tip: Ideal for a quick post-work ride or as a warm-up trail before tackling more challenging routes.
Lupine Trail
Running parallel to the Upper and Lower Loops on the opposite side of the Slate River, the Lupine Trail is a scenic ride through breathtaking meadows filled with its namesake lupine flowers. You’ll also find yourself riding through groves of aspens, making this trail a must for wildflower season but just as spectacular in the fall when the leaves turn golden. The varied terrain makes it an accessible yet rewarding experience for both beginners and intermediates. If you’ve already tackled the Upper and Lower Loop but are craving more, be sure to cross the river and check out the Lupine Trail for an extended adventure!
Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate
Pro Tip: Ride in the morning or evening to catch the best light for photos, especially during leaf-peeping season.
Reno/Flag/Bear/Deadman’s Gulch Loop
This classic Crested Butte route is a favorite for those looking for a big backcountry adventure. Covering about 18 miles and 3,000 feet of elevation gain, it offers a perfect mix of long climbs, fast descents, and varied terrain. You’ll start with a steady ascent up Reno Divide, followed by a fun, flowy descent down Flag Creek. After climbing Bear Creek, the trail rewards you with a technical, yet exhilarating, downhill through Deadman’s Gulch. With its wide-open meadows, dense forests, and creek crossings, this ride has it all. Be prepared for a challenging but unforgettable day in the backcountry.
Difficulty: Intermediate/Advanced
Pro Tip: Pack plenty of water and snacks, and always start early to avoid afternoon storms.

Sweet Treats

Tin Cup
This ice cream shop serves homemade ice cream from Third Bowl. They offer some bizarre (but yummy) flavors and typical flavors, which rotate depending on the season and the day. I had the green chile honey this fall, and it was really good. Jon loves the ice cream sandwiches loaded with tasty toppings.

Misc.

Gunnison Rec Center
If you’re camping in CB and want somewhere to grab a shower, the Gunnison Rec Center, which is about 30 minutes away, is a great option! They also have a climbing wall, an aquatic center, and traditional gym equipment.
Crested Butte Library
Looking for a peaceful place to focus or catch up on some work? The Crested Butte Library offers a quiet, cozy space to settle in and get things done. And, of course, read!

We hope you enjoyed our collection of some of the top spots in Crested Butte! This is a really special classic mountain town with butte-iful views, delicious food, and great vibes.

Have you been to Crested Butte? Share your favorite spots in the comments – we’d love to hear about them!

Conquering the Trails: My First Mountain Biking Adventure

Distance from Denver: ABOUT 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES

Lai on a mountain bike with the Dillon Resovoir in the background during her first mountain biking adventure.

Sun, oct 6, 2024

I recently embarked on my first mountain biking adventure. I knew I wanted to try mountain biking one day, but I hadn’t made it happen yet. I’ve loved skiing and hiking for years, but mountain biking remained an unexplored territory. While I didn’t see it as something I would dive deep into, I wanted to at least give it a try to see what it was like. The idea of exploring the mountains in a new way excited me, but I was definitely scared. Earlier this month, the perfect time came for me to finally give it a shot.

We had been throwing around different ideas for our Sunday plans and landed on mountain biking. We were in the mountains for the weekend, as we often are, this time at a hotel in Breckenridge. Sunday was check-out day and we wanted to stick around the area and enjoy some more mountain air before returning to Denver. It felt like the perfect moment to finally go for it, especially because Jon mentioned there were beginner-friendly trails at the Frisco Peninsula, making it an ideal spot for my first ride.

I hadn’t even been on a regular bike in close to a decade, with cycle class being the closest I’d come. But as the saying goes, ‘It’s just like riding a bike,’ and in this case, it literally was. I hoped the muscle memory would kick in. I put on my athletic shorts, a tank top, and Jon’s Big Sky flannel, and we headed to Christy Sports to rent the bike.

Bertha was a black full-suspension bike that had a lovely holographic sheen in the sun. Once the shop adjusted Bertha to my measurements and gave me a rundown on how she worked, it was time to see how I felt on a bike after so many years. I had Jon give me another explanation of how to use the gears and move the seat and I began riding around in the parking lot.

Once I felt comfortable enough riding the bike period, we set off. We took a paved road to get to where the trails were. I felt a little awkward at first, but it started to feel smooth eventually. Once we left the paved path and got to the trails, it got a little more scary. Ok, maybe a lot more scary, even though it was far from anything crazy. The trails we stuck to were truly for beginners, yet any sort of downhill, paired with narrow paths and a few rocks, made me nervous. And going uphill was quite tiring.

Jon was very supportive and cheered me on. He gave me tips to improve my form, such as bending my arms in a push-up position and using my shoulders when I needed to make turns. Despite my challenges, I had moments where I felt like I got in my stride, having fun riding comfortably, adjusting the gears based on the terrain, and moving my seat up and down. I enjoyed the feeling of flowing on the path and turning the bike along the curves. It felt so good! Of course, there were also those wonky times. I got off the bike more than once, whether out of nervousness about descending or fatigue (and more nervousness) while climbing uphill.

The Frisco Peninsula was really pretty and I enjoyed looking at the lake and the trees. I didn’t expect there to be fall colors here for some reason, but there definitely were. The scenery made it even more amazing, as typically is the case with mountain sports. I loved taking in nature in this way!

We got to a point where I needed to take a beat, so I relaxed by the water for a little. After recharging, I felt more confident and refreshed when I got back on Bertha. It was great! We rode a little longer on the trails and then diverted to a normal road for a bit. After some smooth sailing, we dipped back into the trails a tad more, before making our way back to Christy.

During our ride, I had moments of feeling nervous, unsure, or frustrated with myself, but that’s simply part of learning new things. It was all worth it for those moments when I was feeling good and having fun. It was also another great thing to enjoy together! Mountain biking is Jon’s thing, so it was fun to experience more of his world, even though it was nowhere near the level of biking he normally does. I loved riding with him. This also meant I got to watch him shred in person, which was really fun.

My first mountain biking adventure was an awesome experience, filled with nerves, fun, growth, and beauty. I’m glad I finally tried it, getting out of my comfort zone and appreciating nature’s thrills in new ways. I didn’t send it down crazy hills, or even attempt anything above a green, but I rode a mountain bike! Even in the few hours I rode, I got more comfortable and improved my skills. I look forward to biking again in the future, but probably not until next year.

I don’t plan on getting super into mountain biking. For one thing, it’s another sport to throw a ton of money into. I also don’t see myself going super hardcore with this stuff. It would, however, be fun to ride around easier trails a few times a year. I’ll probably continue to dabble in mountain biking now and then, and I’m excited about it! I also learned that I love wearing Jon’s Big Sky flannel, so I’ll probably be borrowing that more often.

For your entertainment, check out this super awkward video of me tensing up while going down a small hill.