A Magical Colorado Mountain Christmas

I've always wanted to spend Christmas in the mountains, and finally the wish has become reality.  Anna and Nic drove from Salt Lake City and we drove from Littleton, and met in Lake City, CO.  A beautiful little mountain town at 8700 feet surrounded by 5 14ers, and numerous other lofty peaks - the heart of the San Juan mountains.  One of the most remote towns in the US (its 55 miles to Gunnison, CO, which is a fairly small town itself), home to only around 400 souls year round, and very quiet in the winter.

We rented a condo at Lake San Cristobal, and literally had the place to ourselves.  It snowed on Christmas Eve, and a blue sky day for Christmas - absolutely magical!  Snowshoeing, crosscountry skiing, relaxing and gazing out at the beautiful surroundings, truly a memorable time.  Lots of careful food planning by Donna (only a small food store in town), made our meals memorable and delicious as always.   If only I had a few more funds, I would buy a small cabin in the area, and hideout from the world, particularly in the winter, when the tourists stay away.  Oh well, glad to visit now and then.

After our great time in LakeCity, we all drove to Salt Lake City, and enjoyed 4 nights there with Nick and Anna relaxing in Anna and Nick's cute house and visiting with old friends before heading back to
Littleton.

A few pics from our time in Lake City.

 Moose at Slumgullion Pass
 Kirsten at Capital City
 Big bull moose in the distance about 3 miles back in from Slumgullion Pass
 Colin on his new Alpine touring gear
 The gang near Slumgullion Pass
 Nick and Anna
 Windy Point Overlook
 Windy Point Overlook
 View from the condo
 View from the condo
 Christmas morning
 Christmas morning
 Christmas morning
 Kirsten, Donna and Anna with new Christmas scarves from cousin Pat
 Kids with Uncompahgre peak (5th highest in CO) in background; Colin in retro snowmobile suit
 Windy Point overlook

 Windy Point Overlook
 Kirsten, Anna, and Donna up Cottonwood Creek
 Looking back from Cottonwood Creek trail
 Cottonwood Creek trail
 Anna, Nick, and Kirsten at Cottonwood Creek
 Near Capital City
 Capital City
At Capital City

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