Can you visit Aspen on a budget? Sure, you can. But, you will need to make some concessions. Like what, you may ask? Well, we camped at Difficult Campground a few miles outside of Aspen for four nights for about $25 a night. What luxuries did we have to do without? Just a few minor things like bathing and electricity. But really, who doesn't love four days of pit toilets.
It's so nice here though so who cares. Everyday we took either a bike ride along a beautiful trail into town, hiked, birdwatched or drove some mountain roads through spectacular scenery. Well worth any stinkiness from the boon docking. Actually, we did manage to hose ourselves off every couple days which resulted in the our new discovery......the shower leaks pretty badly in our little Bambino.
This trail runs about four miles into town along a marsh and river with mountains in the background. Lots of birds and trout and fancy Aspen women pushing strollers with little dogs or babies in them, sometimes both.
This my friends is Maroon Bells, one of the prettiest hikes you will ever be lucky enough to take. Clear mountain lake - check, snow-capped mountains - check, wildflowers, birds, butterflies - check, check, check. Not to mention cute little marmot varmints and precious pikas. The key is to arrive early, otherwise after 9:00 a.m. the hordes arrive by the bus load and then one of us gets grumpy when they have to share what should be my personal, private paradise.
Wait, wait I think I see a small, non-descript brown bird.
Work it Mr. Marmot, work it. Now, look at me like you know I have Cheezits on me. That's it, just hold it one, more, second. Got it.
I hope when I die I'm pushin' up daisies that look like this.
This is where it helps to have that master's degree in Biology with a special concentration in animal behavior. Look closely and maybe even an uneducated person like yourself can locate the beaver's lodge.
Why so sad Mr. Pika?
That's a dipper. He's a small bird, so technically he's a little dipper, that is found is rushing streams. He dives underwater to look for larvae. He also constantly pumps his tail like he's listening to a snappy tune only he can hear.
Last one, I promise. But, 'cmon doesn't it just make you want to sing "The hills are aliiivvvee..."
Back at the campground. Like I said, there really is nothing that Difficult about it except the less than ideal hygiene conditions.
This warbling vireo shared our campsite with us and we watched her feed these four, yes four, baby chicks from dawn's early light till almost dark. Back and forth, back and forth it looked exhausting.
This lazuli bunting was just a little too far away but isn't his color to die for?
Aspen trees creep me out. Seriously, stop judging me!
We took a drive up to Castle Creek and did a short hike along a dirt road. And, just when you think it can't get any prettier..................
Bam! You get views like this. Why don't more people live here? Oh, I forgot you need a lot of money. Did I mention that gas was $4.79/gal in town, or that houses sell for $1,000 a square foot?
Know what this is? It's service berry. You know who really likes service berry this time of year?
Yep, there were two at our campground during our stay. One we saw on the road coming back from town. It scampered off into the woods. The other one rubbed up against some campers' tent during the night and gnawed a log looking for insects.
Sadly, we had to leave Aspen and head toward Steamboat Springs. This is where we camped for the night Yampa River State Park. Two words, no gracias. It was hot, dry and ironically a mosquito haven. The beauty of this place was in the clean, roomy bathrooms with nice hot showers. Ahhh.
We clean up pretty good don't we?
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