We forgot to take a pic of the site. This is the best that I could find. Kelly Dahl CG, Boulder County.

Roasting marshmallows. Kelly Dahl CG, Boulder County.

Skull at our campsite. Kelly Dahl CG, Boulder County.

We wanted to try out this site, since we passed it 100’s of times and never noticed it. The poor campground has been decimated by pine beetle. Nearly all the trees have been cut and stacked in large piles behind the campground. Only good think about that is all the free fire wood. We did enjoy the sunset near the entrance of the campground. There are no sites, and a nice open field and rock outcroppings around that you can walk up to.

Kelly Dahl CG, Boulder County.

Kelly Dahl CG, Boulder County.

We went hiking in the Indian Peaks Wilderness area the first day. I advise using the shuttle to access the trailhead. Traffic at the trail head is insane, and the likelihood of you denting or scratching your car is high. The shuttle does allow dogs! 😀

We took off on the Devil’s Thumb Loop. There were a lot of meadows, creeks, wildflowers, and mushrooms along the trip. It was so incredibly beautiful. There are so many trails in the area that you don’t have to worry about all the people that you encounter at the trailhead. Just like everywhere else, once you are a mile away from the cars you seldom encounter anyone.

Daisy taking in the view. Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Daisy riding the shuttle to Hessie Trailhead. Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Getting started. Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Best hiking buddies ever! Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Huge dandelion-type flower. Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Great bridge. Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Great trails, Indian Peaks Wilderness.

We love the little bridges along the trail. Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Nice place to cool off. Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Love the waterfalls. Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Couldn’t agree more! Indian Peaks Wilderness.

I could stay here for days! Indian Peaks Wilderness.

There is an interesting building at the beginning of the trail.

Suppose we shouldn’t have been poking around here. Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Quick pic of the inside. Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Abandoned building. Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Outhouse, Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Abandoned truck, Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Beginning of the trail, Indian Peaks Wilderness.

The next day we headed back to Eldora Ski area to hike around the nordic trails. They are, of course, all well marked and named. We hiked for hours and found a big pond at the top of the mountain. Unfortunately it was lined, so there was no swimming for Daisy.

Chairlifts waiting patiently for winter. Eldora Ski Resort.

We found another small homestead. Eldora Ski Resort.

Nordic trail in Eldora Ski Resort.

Keeping an eye out of the moose. Eldora Ski Resort.

Hope we won’t need to use it! Eldora Ski Resort.

Ski area, Eldora Ski Resort.

As always, we headed to Nederland to enjoy a coffee and treat and New Moon Bakery & Cafe after each of our hikes. 🙂

Sitting on the patio at New Moon. Nederland, CO.

Kelly Dahl is a good place to have a base camp—you can head out to Golden Gate SP, Eldora, Indian Peaks, Rocky Mountain NP, Nederland, and Rollinsville. But the campsite needs a lot of care and time because of the beetle kill.