Hello everyone!
The past several days have been packed with adventure, hard work, and some incredible fishing as we wrapped up one backcountry experience and jumped right into another. The group continues to impress us with their positive attitudes, willingness to take on challenges, and the friendships that are forming more each day. From giving back to Rocky Mountain National Park through our service project to hiking deep into the North Inlet backcountry in search of beautiful native trout, this stretch of the trip has been one the group will remember for a long time.
After hiking out of the backcountry, we spent the night at the Volunteer Campground in Moraine Park near Estes Park. Everyone was excited to enjoy a well-earned dinner of burgers before getting to bed early for our service project the following morning. We met with two National Park Rangers who taught us about invasive mud thistles and how they compete with native vegetation that wildlife depends on. The group spent four hours removing these invasive plants while learning why conservation work is such an important part of protecting healthy river ecosystems. The rangers also explained why Canadian thistle should be left alone, as its underground root system causes it to spread if pulled incorrectly. It was a rewarding morning, and the campers took a lot of pride in giving back to a place that has already given us so many incredible memories. On our drive to the next trailhead, we made a fun stop in Grand Lake to watch the USA World Cup match together over sodas and fries. Between cheering on Team USA and playing cornhole, it was a great chance for everyone to relax before heading back into the mountains.
Our next adventure began bright and early with a 5:30 a.m. wake-up for the six-mile hike into the North Inlet Group Campsite. While the hike challenged everyone, the group dug deep and handled it with determination. After arriving in camp, we had time to fish the nearby creek before enjoying a hearty dinner of pesto pasta and settling in early for another big day ahead. The following morning we hiked another two miles, climbing roughly 1,000 vertical feet to Lake Nokoni before continuing over the ridge to Pettingell Lake. The scenery was absolutely spectacular, and the effort was rewarded with some outstanding fishing. It took a little experimenting to figure out the fish, but once we cracked the code, everyone found success. The trout in these alpine lakes were some of the most colorful and healthiest fish we've seen all trip, making every catch feel extra special. After another full day in the high country, we made our way back to camp, cooked dinner, and quickly fell asleep after a rewarding day of hiking and fishing.
After two demanding days on the trail, we slowed the pace a bit and spent the next day fishing the creek near camp. It gave everyone an opportunity to refine their fly-fishing skills, explore different water, and simply enjoy spending time together around camp. We even experimented with a new camp meal featuring pepperoni and summer sausage — let's just say the reviews were mixed, but everyone had a good laugh about it. The following morning we packed up camp and enjoyed a mostly downhill hike back to the trailhead. A stop at the gas station for well-deserved snacks was followed by showers, laundry, basketball, swimming, and time in the hot tub at the recreation center. It was exactly what everyone needed after several days in the backcountry.
Tonight we'll be camping once again at Stillwater Campground before making our way to Pumphouse on the Colorado River. The group is excited to target some larger trout over the next few days, and conditions are looking promising. Spirits are high, everyone is healthy, and it has been incredibly rewarding watching these young anglers continue to grow in both their fly-fishing skills and their confidence outdoors. Thank you for sharing your kids with us — they continue to work hard, encourage one another, and make this an unforgettable adventure. We can't wait to share more stories and photos in our next update.
Tight Lines,
The Guides, Kitchel, Max, Jack
