James Peak Wilderness (Colorado) Backpacking - September 2017

A long-planned family RV trip to Colorado took the place of my annual backpacking trip with my son, Christian, in 2017, but thanks to some banked airline dollars I was able to squeeze a quick 'bonus' backpacking trip in with Christian to Colorado in early September 2017.
We decided to head up into the James Peak Wilderness southwest of Christian's current hometown of Boulder, Colorado. Our Labor Day weekend timing couldn't have been worse, and as expected the crowds were huge, but I found that the James Peak Wilderness is well-suited to huge crowds - the East Portal Trailhead has essentially unlimited parking, the potential destinations off of the main South Boulder Creek Trail are numerous, and the camping options near all those destinations are plentiful and nice.
In addition to being able to handle throngs of hikers, the James Peak Wilderness is also a beautiful location. The constant sound of flowing water accompanies you all the way to any one of numerous tree-lined and pristine alpine lakes. It's hard to imagine you're only a short drive and a sub-10 mile hike from Denver and Boulder.
Similar to my other recent backpacking videos, this one has 30+ minutes of video followed by a 6 minute slide show at the end. It is meant to be an 'immersive' experience that allows you to come along with me on the trip. If you aren't interested in 'riding along on my shoulder' for an hour of video, just skip to the end and watch the slideshow and you'll still get a good overview of our trip.
Still Camera: Nikon D810 with Nikkor 20mm f1.8 lens
Video Camera: Canon Vixia G40 with Rode Stereo Videomic Pro
Video Editing Software: Sony Vegas Pro 13
HDR Software: SNS-HDR Pro v2
Music:
"These Moments" by Nicolai Heidlas

[@tincupco]

Really enjoy your videos. There is something about Colorado. Every time you see the mountains it seems like the first time. They are magical.

[@Corman911]

Thanks for the great video. My wife was born and raised in the Rollinsville area. Her grandparents owned and operated the local motel in Rollinsville for many years. Coloradans love to get outside on long weekends and that makes for a busy back country.

[@pixaxeprepper384]

Us old guys need days like this. Exercise and wondering.

[@bejudson1384]

Another beautiful hike to enjoy! Thanks!

[@jackG1207]

When you upload new videos I often say to myself "I'm not really in the mood to watch a hiking video" and "I don't have time to watch this right now". Then 30-60 minutes later I'm still watching and always enjoy them!

[@pattyman313]

Great to see this new video! Thanks for all of the effort you put into this!

[@123poparock]

Always love to see you visiting our state of Colorado! I truly enjoy your backpacking videos and look forward to seeing more.

[@MarkFugel]

what a great trip...thanks for taking us along David!

[@angelcrusher420]

Simply awesome Mr. Gray!

[@PatJ61]

It made my day to see a new video from you pop up in my alerts. What a beautiful section of a beautiful state. I especially loved the montage of all the hikers- that was something new and really cool. You were smart for finding a place that wasn't quite so busy for your camp site. As always, thanks for taking us along!

[@theg-man7868]

Superb David, spectacular stuff. Great quality filming, thank you. 🇬🇧

[@StarleeJ]

Been enjoying your adventures in CO. Makes me look forward to having adventure and memories with my children once they grow up a bit. It's great that you are able to do these trips with your kids!!

[@Victorted]

Another triumph. Bravo, David.

[@rhettboston]

great stuff David. You hit the nail on the head in how just sitting out in the woods drinking a cup of coffee can be special. Hard to describe to a lot of people the reason for 'getting out there'.

[@SurvivorMetalMan]

Absolutely gorgeous area! Just awesome! Great video!

[@michaelputnam7223]

Great work Dave! Love the vids, always a go to for me to pre-scout an upcoming trip

[@TheGoatMumbler]

Love me some Colorado! Thanks for dragging me along Dave!

[@andreabritz4572]

Your video inspired me to hike the same hike, however as a day hike in and out. It was great! I am looking forward to any future videos. Happy hiking.

[@ronwarren5085]

Good to see you back David. I know you and Christian enjoyed the trip I certainly did. Thanks

[@saschastruwe543]

Really enjoyed the video. Also very nice that you flew out all the way to do the trip with your sun.

[@elizabethwhite6364]

Great to see you had a video up - it was fun and very pretty! Christian looked like he enjoyed it too! Hope your Glacier trip goes well - the fires may impact what you plan to do. Waiting patiently for the next video! Thank you!

[@gacifres1]

Another great video! Thank you and I'll be waiting for another!

[@cnyphotovideo]

Looks like a nice trip. Beautiful scenery!

[@lifeintothewind]

Another great trip to the outdoors and video...

[@Twovales]

Great trip. Glad your shared it with us. Cheers mate!

[@benmac075]

I like your videography! Great work and great hikes

[@mss0130]

This video is really cool and fantastic. Thanks for uploading the video. From South Korea.

[@IrishZombieNation]

Great video and beautiful scenery.

[@gabrielameza8350]

Wow, beautiful Colorado! Good to see you and Christian. Ohhh, and Bailey =).

[@mrdonelsonglhs]

Great video! Looks like the view was worth the trip!

[@dereksprigler3317]

I just know you have the same love for CO as I do. The mountains are really something special. It never gets old going to CO. And that drive to boulder... shew lol

[@chancellor2236]

love the videos man! takes me back to my trip to colorado everytime i watch! thanks

[@markp6732]

YUP...heart and lungs going up,LEGS and knees going down!!!BEEN going there since I was 15.

[@veronicavillalpando3797]

I absolutely adore watching your videos, I live in Deep South Texas so need to travel a good length to get to a good hiking location, and being twenty doesn't help haha. So watching you have fun on hikes, gives me enjoyment. Thank you, can't wait to join you on your next adventure!

[@rockytopwrangler2069]

Thoroughly enjoy your videos,, haven't been on a trail in awhile (no good excuse) but I have sure gotten caught up in many incredible hikes and adventures from others like yourself.Thank you for sharing,I can't imagine the extra efforts to video all that you do,and the still editing at the end is always done so well. Seems to me ,the older we get,the trails seem to get steeper and longer,but the backcountry air makes up for it .....stay safe and God Bless...

[@curt8806]

I'm glad you got some time to go with you son. The OG

[@kevinseversonandhisvizslas8287]

Been waiting for a new trip vid! Thanks David!

[@willyfredickson1343]

Awesome Dad! Great videos!

[@keithogden3727]

My wife and were just wondering when your next video would arrive. We enjoy them so much we actually took up hiking. Thanks for videos.

[@susanbrown2909]

I like watching hiking videos,although I don’t like heights,so watch it on here,and the beautiful wilderness..thanks for uploads,will keep watching..from uk.

[@sassy304]

Love your videos,keep up the good work !

[@warrenonthetrail1869]

Wow. I plan on doing this hike overnight sometime in the next year. Thanks for sharing.

[@mountainmuse]

Always enjoy your slide show at the end, a nice touch! Maybe some day our trails cross!

[@vegasdavetv]

and great to see you and your son hiking again

[@clintonkawanishi1418]

I always like your videos. No trying to make yourself out as a tough guy or philosophize about the beauty. You show and tell how you feel. While your new camera has great telephoto, I loved the photos of your mirror slapping old one. Especially of your Ansel Adams trip. Did many of the same trips as you've done but age has caught up with me. Did the John Muir in 1989 and your Ansel Adams brought back wonderful memories. Bears got a pack of a guy in another group. No bear canisters in those days.

[@stevesoutsideadventures]

Great Video , Beautiful place , Looks like a place I would love to visit sometime, Thanks for sharing your adventure

[@victorvasquez2788]

very enjoyable and nice work with your camera. Thx for sharing..

[@timlawson4314]

At work right now but looking forward to watching you and your son hiking together again.

[@MsAcreage]

Another great video!

[@wacybarbour2513]

Awsome work sir I'm jealous looks so fun

[@bradleybarton9064]

Nice! I fly out of Indy also. Been backpacking several times in Colorado. My fav!👍

[@vegasdavetv]

perfect video David

[@briscohikes1889]

Man you go to some amazing places. Great to see Christian doing well. We think you had some influence on his decision to live in CO. LOL. Great work as always. Looking forward to Glacier

[@hilbillydoc5980]

Great video!!!!!!!!

[@gobuffs98]

Another fun video. This is also a good location to go snow shoeing in the winter. A lot of parking and the roads are always plowed in the winter.

[@prestonwcooper]

Another great video and can't wait for another Glacier one :)

[@RuralMontanaLiving]

Another great video. Thanks for sharing. It had to be extra special to spend time with your son. That trail looked like it was almost as crowded as Avalanche Lake in Glacier. Pretty much single file the entire way. As you commented about your Glacier trip I was wondering if it would come to fruition, then I saw your comment below. It has been a terrible fire year in NW Montana and we were choking on smoke for weeks. A couple of times it was "snowing" ash, which is pretty disconcerting! It was unfortunate to lose Sperry Chalet. Last week the weather pattern changed and we're back to normal, although a good chunk of Glacier is still off limits because of the fires. Sorry your trip didn't work out. Look forward to your Smokies trip video.

[@PatJ61]

I hope you're planning some amazing hikes this year. I'm looking forward to any new videos you create!

[@davidgrayin]

Nothing firm yet, but 2018 should be another full year of backpacking, and videos. I'm taking my first trip the first week of April - not exactly sure where yet but it will be 'down south' somewhere and it will be with both dogs. I'd wanted to do the Appalachian Trail starting at Springer in prime-time thru-hiker start time, but I think the dogs would be a bit too much for that (throngs of people, and the potential to upset some folks is too high for my comfort). Right now I'm thinking of the Cheaha Wilderness in Alabama or possibly the Red River Gorge area of Kentucky. I'm also researching other, non-AT areas in north Georgia. After that I'm thinking of another 50 mile or so section of the AT in late April or early May. Then Travis and I are planning to do the Wind River Range in Wyoming in early July. Then it will be somewhere in Colorado with my son and the dogs in August. And the late season trip will hopefully be the 93-mile Wonderland Trail in Washington, and Glacier if I (again) crap out on the Wonderland thru-hike permit. Whew... tired and sore just thinking about it... but really excited too!

[@rockytopwrangler2069]

Can't help but viewing this again,,as you mentioned ,never know if ever coming back to a particular trail,,but if you do this again ,might bring along fishing gear,,Heart lake has great fishing to be had..nice to have fresh meal on overnight trek..on other side of James Peak ,you can 4-wheel from town of Alice, about 1/2 way up ,half dozen other small lakes,most with good fishing..Beautiful area...

[@WanderingFromKansas]

Always glad to see a new video! Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to see Glacier! I had an amazing time in August doing the Grand Lake Loop! The second day climb was brutal for this flat-lander! We had a hailstorm above treeline, lots of elk near Haynach Lake (our second campground), and one yellowstone cutthroat caught from Haynach Lake.

[@davidgrayin]

Unfortunately, I had to cancel the Glacier trip shortly after we finished this trip. The fires there were right on top of my original permit. They gave me a new permit but they ended up stopping the issuing of any new permits, plus I was spending a lot of time watching their live webcams and the smoke/visibility was horrible (no views at all, and I can't imagine hiking in that stuff). As a backup I'm heading out for a 4 day solo trip in Smoky Mt. NP tomorrow - not quite Glacier, but not bad at all (leaves should have some nice color). We are planning to head back to Glacier next summer to use up our banked airline dollars from the cancellation.

[@chrismcelroy5193]

Smokies should be nice now, I'm sure it will be awesome.

[@johnsargent7357]

Nice! Thanks for posting.

[@germanshepherd2579]

Your Videos make me want to move back to Colorado so bad!!!

[@chrismcelroy5193]

Great video as always. In Denver this week. Heading to Boulder on Friday and on to see some color change in RMNP ! Temps have dropped a bit ..

[@Wretch753]

😊 love your videos

[@walterwright8926]

more videos please brother, love them

[@geech08]

Very nice. Looking forward to the next Glacier trip video in a few weeks.

[@davidgrayin]

I'm sorry to have to say the Glacier trip didn't happen this year. The fires out there were just too bad, and eventually Glacier stopped issuing back country permits which sort of made the decision to cancel for me (though I was well on my way to that decision anyway given the terrible smoke and low visibility). But we 'banked' the airline dollars so we'll be heading back to Glacier in 2018 - something to look forward to. As a backup trip I'm heading out to Great Smoky Mountains NP tomorrow for a four day solo trip. I should have that video published by mid-October 2017.

[@sincitycapital]

Hope to see a few videos from this year or even last year. Hopefully you have been able to get out on the trail. All the best. Cheers

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

Awesome to see another trip! It looked pretty busy but beautiful. Wow, your camera has an awesome zoom. Christian is definitely altitude acclimatized. 😂 your montage of people made me laugh. 😂😂

[@davidgrayin]

Christian is fully acclimated, AND he's 22! I should have him carry me! (or at least hook up a rope to him so he can drag me up the hills).

[@julie3026]

LOl, my husband always tells our son to remember Daddy carrying him because in a few years it will be the other way around!

[@steveforsythe9264]

Thanks David for taking me along on the hike. Always love your trips whether solo or with your son. Have you ever thought of doing some kayak camping?

[@BluefirephoenixJen]

I was up there in my youth a couple times. We drove on the rail road gravel up to the Eye of the Needle. I doubt the road is still open but it was a hairy experience. Hasn't changed much since that time there.

[@khuyenhuynh408]

Huge fan of yours, David. Your videos get better and better in quality and production. Great seeing Christian again (this is the most interaction I've seen from him!). Thank you for sharing your passion with us!! P.S. Tapatio is pronounced "ta-pa-tee-oh". I kinda giggled when you called it "ta-patio" in this and the previous video.

[@davidgrayin]

That must be my midwest hoosier 'dialect' coming through on the Tapatio pronunciation! I hadn't been able to find the little packets anywhere locally so I ended up buying 50 of them on the internet - guess I better learn to pronounce it correctly because I'll be using it for a while. I just finished another Smoky Mts. NP trip, and am working on the video now. I'm sure I butchered the pronunciation another 5 or so times in that video! I'll 'fix' it before the next trip.

[@doublejuice2000]

lol the way you said tapatio hot sauce!!! love the videos, would sure like to see you travel back to California for some additional sierra exploration.

[@davidgrayin]

Yes, I know. Others have pointed out my Hoosier dialect pronunciation! But I'm working on it - ta-PAH-tio. I sure would like to get back to the Sierras soon too - one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Probably not this year, but hopefully next year or the year after. Sometime 'soon' (next 5 years) I'm going to figure out a way to do the entire John Muir Trail (high up on my bucket list).

[@mountainsaunter2061]

Thanks for the great videos..I live in Nederland...very close to James Peak

[@virtual_it_admin2065]

Doode, Caribou Flats is H E A V E N on a dirtbike or Jeep!!

[@thesiklosexperience7385]

Great videos sir! You love that cheddar cheese spread! Haha

[@briansaucy4871]

Photo quality is unsurpassed dude!

[@albertozaccheroni1467]

Great video. I will be waiting for new videos. From Turkey

[@BluefirephoenixJen]

Another good hike are the trials west of Nederland and Eldora going up to the 4th of July area. Lot of loose scree, but pretty.

[@debgittins7426]

Gorgeous corner of the world 👣🐢🇦🇺💚

[@tonyburnettsr8851]

Great video ! My son Casey lives in Boulder

[@southcountysurvival5216]

Christian did his run as pay back when you made him wade through the waist high Tick-Infested grass on the Techumseh. Ha! Great video. Thanks for sharing

[@susanbrown2909]

I’m out of breath just watching you lol.

[@All_Things_Out_Doors]

Busy place....lol are u sure that wasn't Brown county on labor day lol 😉 ...great video as always

[@YouQube05117]

Colorado great nature reminds me the opening of the movie "The Shining".

[@sycamoreflats8855]

Come for the video; stay for the stills. Oh, yeah.

[@petercoconut]

Very nice Dave! Finally, a backpacking trip this year for you that it didn't have rain. What's on your right shoulder strap? It has a red and blue knob. Pictures look super clear and crisp. Your my favorite KZbin channel. Keep up the great work!!! Pete

[@davidgrayin]

That 'thing' on my right shoulder strap is the 'clip' for the Peak Design 'Capture Pro' system I now use to carry my Canon Vixia G40 video camera. I actually found out about it through a person here on the youtube comments, and it is simply awesome for carrying a camera. I used to carry my video camera in a fanny pack worn backwards, but the Capture Pro blows that process away! I clip the camera into my shoulder strap and forget it's there - until I need to use it, and then it's simply one click and I have the camera in my hand. Awesome! (And I am not affiliated with them in any way, and I paid full price for their gizmo - but I happily endorse them!).

[@packersinhd]

Can we please get a link to your beast of a camera? My god, its amazing!

[@jay_zooks7125]

Another Great Video David! I ordered and tried the cheese spread. I brought it to a Boy Scout overnight and it was loved by many. I was told to build it into the budget for future outings. (For the adults) of course. Are you creating a video for Glacier? I lived in Kalispell for 3 years.

[@soaringeaglesadventures9028]

David, have enjoyed your videos. It seems like you are a pants guy when hiking or have I just missed those hikes where you go to shorts. I am doing the AT next year and am more of a pants guys especially in tick country. Thoughts and thanks.

[@wolfpackbushcraftaustralia]

Very nice

[@Muerte1917]

make a video of places in colorado I can backback maybe even a overnighter! It would be cool if you told me some spots I can go and make an A frame shelter that I can keep there for whenever I want to go back and update the camp

[@tommy2z2z]

I'd like to see you do a walk through & program from Guanella Pass, CO

[@JustinMcKinneyhiker]

nice video as always, to bad the dogs couldn't come along

[@OutdoorsInspired]

Another awesome video brother! What do you like the most about the Duncan doughnut coffee?

[@davidgrayin]

That's a good question, and I'm not really sure what I like about it so much. I really dislike Starbucks coffee because, to me, it's severely over-roasted and bitter (I describe it as 'burnt'). A lot of people must like that taste, but not me. Duncan Donuts coffee is at the other end of that flavor spectrum - mellow, smooth, rich, and mild. It's the coffee I drink every morning, but it's really special when you're waking up out in the woods. It's also cheap! (when you buy it in big bags at Costco).

[@bennygee3067]

Elkhart County checkin in

[@Brownsphotoart]

Someone my have already asked this. The cheddar cheese dip, is it a homemade recipe or something you buy? Looks great! I love all your videos! I am starting my first thru hike in a couple weeks in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. It's just 9 miles over night. I learned a lot from your videos to prepare. I want to do a section hike on the CDT next summer near Grand Lake.

[@davidgrayin]

I purchase the cheddar cheese spread from Packit Gourmet (www.packitgourmet.com). You can find it in their spreads section. It's really expensive($6.99 per package) but if you're doing a solo hike I've found that I can sub-divide one package into two, or even three, individual servings using small vacuum seal bags which is plenty for one person. I pack in a sleeve of Ritz crackers - one sleeve is plenty for two nights with two people (and dogs) or three+ nights of solo travel. One recommendation is to let it re-hydrate for FAR longer than the instructions recommend (10 minutes, I think) - I typically let it re-hydrate for about an hour.

[@MarksGoneWalking]

Absolutely stunning - thinking of maybe paying the Rockies a visit for my 50th next year. Any recommendations for must do trials?

[@davidgrayin]

There are so many options, its hard to make a mistake with any trail you might pick. The Four Pass Loop near Aspen is incredible. I loved the Collegiate Peaks area near Twin Lakes. The James Peak Wilderness is great too, and easily accessible. Can't go wrong with CDT Loop out of Grand Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you're looking for something a little bit lower altitude, I've always wanted to do the Lost Creek Wilderness loop (might actually do that one next month). If you want more ideas I'd recommend you get the book 'Colorado's Incredible Backcountry Trails' by David Day - that's the book where the ideas for almost all my trips in Colorado came from.

[@MarksGoneWalking]

David Gray Many thanks David really appreciate your advice. Will get a copy of that book - all the very best Mark 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♂️🚶‍♂️

[@dalezjc]

My family and I have done the Lost Creek Wilderness numerous times and if you do the Wigwam Trail, it's relatively easy, but you can also hike up to Bison Peak which is a trek for sure. Also, there's Buffalo Peaks Wilderness which is easy-to-moderate. If you want simple day hike trails, check out Mueller State Park as it has lots of easy trails.

[@MarksGoneWalking]

Dale Chavez Many thanks for the info Dale - really appreciated 👍

[@jameslane9918]

👍🇺🇸🔥⛺🌐💤💤💤💤🏈🐻 got to love Colorado good blog good video good news thanks for the views looks like you had a good time James Kansas City Missouri

[@p.a.russell4210]

"Poor Bailey, she just wanted to go for a walk..." (this message brought to you by Duncan Donuts coffee)

[@scottgilsdorf2938]

Love your videos! What zoom did you use for that long shot up to the two individuals on the plateau?

[@davidgrayin]

That was actually just the incredible 20X built in optical zoom on my Canon Vixia G40 video camera. This year I switched to a Nikon Z6 for multiple reasons (primary reasons being getting down to one camera for both video and stills, 4K capability, and the awesome video capability of the full-frame Z6 sensor), but one of the things I gave up in the way of compromises was that amazing zoom on the G40.

[@scottgilsdorf2938]

Thanks for the information you’ve totally encouraged me to do some hiking! I love your attitude and like seeing you spend time with your son! Be safe!For now it’s short day hikes but will work my way up to more!

[@ChrisBrown-gw5tg]

What do you use for video camera? That thing has an awesome zoom on it.

[@davidgrayin]

I used a Canon Vixia G40 for this trip. It has a 20X optical zoom with a focal length equivalent of a 576mm zoom lens. This was the first trip I really experimented with those long range shots on a tripod, and I liked how they turned out.