Adventure Series Locale 5: Alpine Loop, Silverton, CO

GPS Coordinates: 37.83721, -107.67475
Date Visited: July 4, 2022
Wood Species: Spruce

This was an epic, 14 day, adventure that will forever be among my favorite rambles. My family, along with our dear friends, the Williamses (of Grizzly Bay) spent a full two weeks out on the road. We covered 4,500 miles, visited seven states, seven National Parks, and made countless memories.

The wood in these brushes was collected on Independence Day of 2022, just outside of Silverton, Colorado (possibly my favorite town in America). We spent that day driving up Ophir Pass then hung out around town. We were fortunate enough to find an amazing little spot tucked into the spruces and aspens next to a beautiful stream. I saved a small piece of spruce deadfall - smaller than I would have liked, but space was at a premium. The limb was smaller in circumference than I typical The next morning, we headed out and climbed Hurricane and California Passes. The next day, we checked off the incredible Imogene Pass.

Of all the places I've been, and all the natural wonders I've seen, nothing has made an impression like my days in the San Juan mountains.