Holy Cross Wilderness (Colorado) Backpacking - August 2016

[@atlantaguy762]

Another great video David. Thanks so much for taking us along. Also, the way you take care of your dogs tells me a lot about you and proves that you're a good man with a kind heart. Hike on and thank you for sharing your travels with all of us..

[@marydebruyn8001]

Why would you take two older dogs up in the mountains...!! Plus he are have forest fires here in Colorado!! Stop having camp fires!!! Go home and. Burn up your own state!!!

[@kholmes39]

Looks like another wonderful trip. There's a visceral quality about your videos that almost helps us feel the mountain air, the rain, the sunshine, the campfire smoke, and taste the coffee. Thanks for taking us out there.

[@curt8806]

Thanks for the update. Awesome to see you guys do your thing. Christian is still just as quiet as ever. Haha but he has grown into such a beautiful man.

[@jmachuta]

I really appreciate these videos, you make it possible for an old man to trek with you vicariously! Thanks again for sharing the view and the great images!

[@CameronHall88]

Another great video. Glad to see you upbeat even when things were tough.

[@jasonscott2035]

Ultralight Outdoors that is one thing I have noticed while binge watching these videos. Always a good attitude, even when things aren't going your way.

[@user-mb4ig1bq5p]

Your videos make me feel like I'm there with you, experiencing the wonder of nature. It's like a first person view. So wonderful!

[@candacemeifert-polk7383]

I did this with 2 co-workers back in the summer of 2004. We ran into a group of off road drivers from Iowa... not all jeeps... mostly Toyotas .. we helped push them out of several ruts in that road... but it was a wonderful , challenging treck in our beautiful Colorado! Always wanted to go back... thanks for sharing your memories of this!

[@TawnaTV]

Always so happy to see you have a new video up! This one did not disappoint ..you battled the weather, high altitude and other situations with your usual humour and good attitude. Beautiful country and a great hike...enjoyed it immensely!

[@steveforsythe9264]

Thanks for posting an absolute fantastic trip. Enjoyed every second. Glad your fur babies made it thru safely. Dave keep em' coming. Don't think I would ever get to do this so I really appreciate those that do. Patiently waiting for the next adventure!!! Thumbs Up!!!

[@davidgrayin]

Thank you for watching and for the nice words. The dogs made it through just fine, and Jaden, my 11 year old yellow lab, seems to actually have found the 'fountain of youth' somehow. He was acting like a four year old the entire trip, and he's kept that up since getting back home. I think he can actually understand me when I tell people 'I'm not sure if this will be his last trip...' but it's almost as if he wants to show me he still has what it takes. As to the next video, it shouldn't be long at all - I'm heading to Rocky Mountain National Park for a solo backpacking trip next weekend - can't wait!

[@RossTheBuilder]

After every one of your videos I have followed in your footsteps and went to all the places you went. My favorite is still Glacier National Park, but Holy Cross hits a strong second. Happy Backpacking!

[@conniejohnson9511]

Another great video. I’m getting addicted. Seeing sights I would never see otherwise. Thank you. Your son is a lucky guy as well as your dogs. How a person treats animals says a lot about them. In your case, all GOOD! Hope your little dog is feeling better.

[@threeputt3642]

I absolutely love "hiking" with you! Since I can't actually do these, I can experience it through your videos. Thanks so much for sharing!!

[@tomcuneo51]

Love how positive you are about even the worst conditions ....

[@mjgaz6]

Wow! I can certainly appreciate the work that went into this project. I loved the pictures at the end. Thanks and congrats!

[@gabrielameza8350]

My first dog and only dog I ever owned over 25 years ago was a black lab. It was a lost puppy out in the streets in (Mexico) on a rainy day. Pepe the puppy followed me all the way home, and so I kept him as our family pet. About a month later the puppy got sick foaming out of his mouth I rushed Pepe to the hospital, and the vet said "I'm closing bring your dog in tomorrow" that night "Pepe" passed away. Sadly to say long story short "Pepe" was poisoned. So, thank you Mr. Gray, for your inspiration, I'm glad your beautiful lab Bailey is doing great, and what another Awesome journey with you. God bless =)

[@ridiculousfishr9812]

It's good to see Christian back. I can't wait until my kids are old enough to backpack together. Thanks for all the great videos.

[@Van-Hammer]

I enjoyed this. It's like I'm there with you experiencing the beautiful sights and breathing in the cool fresh air. Thanks!

[@joesweeney7216]

I just discovered your channel and I love it! I watched the 4 pass video, the Sierra video and your pack explosion video thus far. Great cinematography and entertainig commentary! Very inspiring! I live in NH and do all my hiking locally but now you've got me thinking about the west! I look forward to watching the rest of your videos!

[@heatherripley3692]

Hi David! Thanks for the video! My husband (also a David, btw) and I had our morning coffee and watched it. You weren't kidding about the drama! I'm glad your pups are okay... sure do love that shot of their little snouts together in the car. Beautiful views... sorry it rained so much on you. Looking forward to your next adventure :)

[@pjreads5014]

We've backpacked at Missouri Lakes and watching your video brought back memories of good times. We didn't have hail, but an incredible wind storm, had to put large rocks in the corners of each tent to hold them down.

[@nv3831]

Thanks for the video David. I really enjoyed it and now I'm even more pumped to backpack holy cross wilderness this week with my uncle!

[@debgittins7426]

Thanks for sharing a fab account of your tuff Trek in the Holy Cross Wilderness, such stunning scenery.

[@Gerri69]

Awe poor pup.... Looks like she recovered pretty quickly LOL. I think it's so nice to see the dogs zonked right out asleep after a day of hiking all cozy and warm and comfy :)

[@davidgrayin]

Yes, despite the fact Bailey suffered through a little discomfort, this type of trip is absolute heaven for both of my dogs. In 'normal life' they go through what I would guess most dogs have to deal with - confined to a typical house during the day while we all handle day-jobs, school, etc. So in my mind this type of a trip is what a lab lives for - day after day of constant 'walks', with their family, out in the mountains, etc. - doesn't get much better for the dogs. I realize Bailey had a little 'distress' on this trip, but I have to believe she certainly thinks it was well worth it. Whatever she thought of the trip she is completely back to 100% 'normal' (which is far from normal, by the way!).

[@gregr501]

Another great trip you've shared, thanks for taking me along. Glad your dog had a quick recovery.

[@theadventuresofgibby7823]

Another enjoyable video. It's the tough times on trail that you both will laugh about in the years to come.

[@thomasbudington5379]

WOW!!!! Thank you so much for sharing your hikes with us, Professional quality for sure!

[@ThisScenicLife]

Fun to come along on your journey as usual! We are about to backpack the Holy Cross Wilderness this weekend. I hope it lives up to expectations.

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

It looked like a really nice trip, despite the rough terrain. It seems that beautiful vistas almost always go hand-in-hand with rough, demanding trails. Great trip narration and photos, as usual.

[@nmxterra]

So beautiful to see a father and his son taking adventures together. Keep it up guys. The older kinda look like an actor from that movie with the twins.

[@mikegregory7323]

Really great video. I enjoyed watching it, particularly seeing your perspective, since I live here and enjoying hiking on these and many of the other fantastic trails around the area.

[@bigbadcrazykillahbee]

spectacular , with the fotos at the end i almost pause every second to look at the views , amazing

[@elizabethwhite6364]

Really enjoyed the video - great scenery! Awesome that your son goes with you and the dogs! Very glad Bailey recovered quickly and Jaden did so well - troopers! Colorado is beautiful - we'll be traveling there late September. Thanks again - I know it's lots of work - really appreciate seeing what it's like deep on the trails!

[@MarkFugel]

looked like a tough but beautiful trip! thanks for taking us along. Love your labs!

[@SOTAGoats]

David, Thanks for another great video. I love your authenticity in front of the camera!

[@nickbloom6861]

I like how you do your videos, it's hard to explain but I can just tell you are good guys enjoy the little moments. Keep it up!

[@Patrick-ln8qr]

Once again, you created an awesome video. Thank you for sharing your trip with us, and I look forward to your next video/adventure.

[@HammerofThor00]

Great pictures! Always memorable and good for the dogs to get out there with you!

[@susanbrown2909]

Arrh love the labs snoozing in the back. Nice to see the dogs with you. Thanks for upload .

[@ConnorNeff2023]

You guys are awesome. I appreciate your videos as they are very informative.

[@LukeHuchMusic]

Great videos. Very helpful for finding new places to hike. Thanks for doing this!

[@patrickbryanoutside7416]

Beautiful, scenery and pups. Thanks for sharing.

[@gradybryant3706]

I really enjoy your backpacking videos and have watched nearly all of them . I wanted to comment on your approach to capturing the beauty of the rockies and bringing it back for all of us to enjoy with you . I especially enjoy your appetiser cheese breaks and the "Dunkin Donuts" coffee each morning , I would hope "Dunkin Donuts " would reward you in some way for your free advertising ................... Thanks for your videos ............. Grady

[@potatothorn]

Spectacular film thanks for taking us with you- i think you got about as close to bottling it and taking it home as possible ! //football games screwing up our regular tv tonight this was much better!

[@darrellgoodman9585]

Another great vid typical Colorado high country beautiful weather in the morning and stormy in the afternoon love it.

[@Wakis85]

Another great adventure. Very beautiful area, Thanks for taking us along!!

[@jasoncooley1907]

Thanks for sharing your hike. It must have been quite the blessing being able to have your son with you. I hope your dog is ok.

[@Southernlandbushcraft]

fantastic video. Thanks for sharing the journey

[@Edogawa1117]

Great vid. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. I really enjoyed it.

[@Oldsparkey]

I'm glad Bailey was OK and Jaden enjoyed the hike. You were huffing and puffing but not as much as this , Florida , Flat lander was while watching you. Where you hike I never could and that , it is why I enjoy watching your videos so much. Your hiking areas are a world different then mine , I have Swamps , Oak Groves , Cypress Hammocks and Piney Woods with scattered Cabbage palms in a tropical setting. . As a heart patient ( Bypass and implanted defibrillator ) I will stick to the Florida Trail where an height increase is measured in a few feet and a altitude gain is when you step over a log.( LOL) My escape to the mountains are your videos. Down here there is nothing better for me then the sound of rain on the fly over the Hammock and an Owl sounding off in the background. There really are no bad times when camping , some are just more challenging then others.

[@kdwade]

I'm so glad you made this video - teaches me a great deal as I get started backpacking - thank you for sharing!

[@PavleBalenovic]

Absolutely magnificent scenery. Well done video. Thanks for sharing. Paul.

[@G0ingNative]

Great video. Looks like the trip kicked your butts even the dogs had a few exhausted moments. Really enjoyed sharing this trip with you. Glad to see Bailey improved I was worried for you.

[@randyvanwinkle1246]

Nice report. Watched it front to back. Holy Cross is great, need to get back

[@teeballtruckingadventures3426]

Just began watching your videos and I'm excited to get back into backpacking. Thanks for sharing

[@ronwarren5085]

Really beautiful country David kudos to you and Christian keep up the good work thanks for showing us

[@highlydelusional2286]

awesome trip man. thanks for taking the time to document and share your adventure

[@jimkirk41]

thanks for sharing that. yall had some dedication to that trip. beautiful place. that tarp was sure the best idea of your trip. appreciated the trip as it happened and no hard rock and roll theme blasting during the film.

[@d71c]

Another great video. Thanks for sharing!

[@f42un84u]

A truly rich man! We all need to learn something here. This is what we should teach our children.

[@waynerichard]

Another nice job, David. That's the way to keep your spirits up even though mother nature throws some tough stuff at you.

[@Superbates123]

Really enjoyed your video. Well done! Thanks for sharing.

[@p.a.russell4210]

Gotta love a synchronized life - I just got back from COSTCO where I bought (for the first time) some Dunkin' Donuts coffee specifically because of your videos! So now I'm about to watch this latest David Gray production while sipping a cup! Cheers!

[@bryansonnet4204]

The 2 times that I vacationed in the Dillon, Frisco and Silverthorne area, we just feel in love with it. I'm planning to do some hiking the next time I'm there. The views are incredible especially around Maroon Bells near Aspen. My first video with you Dave, and enjoyed it very much. Suggest you head up to Adam falls in Grand Lake. That trail has 5 lakes as you head up, with Moose and elk.

[@LittleOrla]

Thanks so much. I watched every minute, some of them twice. "The mountains are calling and I must go."

[@vegasdavetv]

great trip as always. enjoyed it, your son is growing on up, going back to 1st glacier video and then compare to this. thanks for the video and looked fun

[@mattg2935]

I've really been enjoying your videos. Thanks for the effort to film, edit, and share. Matt G

[@dave76920]

Love your videos. I know you're carrying 15 lbs of camera equipment but let me tell you, the quality is second to none--best I've seen. Keep up the good work! Would love to see a video on how you prepare food and also the TARP set ups!!!!

[@davidgrayin]

Thank you very much. It's comments like yours that give me inspiration when I'm saying to myself 'why am I doing this again?' when climbing up the passes! Late this fall and through the winter I plan to do a number of 'gear' videos, one of which I had planned to be on food/meals. I hadn't thought about a tarp setup video, but that is a great idea. Frankly, I really don't know or use that many different setups myself (at least so far) but I did do a bunch of research on setups prior to buying mine so I think it would be a useful and interesting video to pubish.

[@laurieuebbing3500]

I love, love your doggies! So good to see them hiking!

[@Cobalt1911]

I love your videos. As a student who loves hiking, it helps me wait for the summer to finally get back there ! Cheers :)

[@davidbock1801]

I enjoy your videos. Good job, and thanks for sharing. This is a good reminder that perseverance pays in the wilderness. P.S. those dogs are a hoot!

[@bmarz6021]

Love your videos. No ego, or heavy metal music just great stuff!

[@x_x-6fenix99]

Nice video. Really enjoyed the still pictures at the end as well.

[@craighawksworth6860]

another great video thanks guys

[@webbyinjapan]

Another very enjoyable video,,,thank you.

[@germanshepherd2579]

Great Video! My Back yard after college back in the early 90's! So many places to backpack. Another great Hike in this area is the Gore Range

[@xxkasperxx]

great trip guys ...those labs remind me of mine ...can never tire out and always eyeball the food!

[@BrettMcNary]

21:30 "not a lot of fun right now......." Dog is like "speak for yourself bro" Awesome edit :)

[@bergmanstrook]

Very nice video and a beautiful nature. Nice dogs.

[@illiniguy4]

Great Video it looked like a awesome trip ! I really like watching your Adventures.

[@TempleMuayThai]

great video guys! thanks for posting it, now i gotta head out there for a few nights to camp too!

[@gregcarrier6314]

hey Dave just recently started watching your videos... Nice to see u and your boys spending time together. its also nice to know I'm not the only one that gets wore out also atleast u don't sugar coat how u feel lol. ..... Keep up the good work Dave

[@Killachow23]

1:10 Enough cuteness here to melt your heart

[@brianwofford3831]

I think the storm at around 40 minutes and the coffee segments are my favorite.

[@ireallylovegod]

i thought the vid thumbnail might be clickbait but NO its here 33:17 wow thats really great nice vid dude

[@chrisaiano1438]

another very good vid and very nice pics as well

[@yogiontour]

Brilliant video man.

[@jay_zooks7125]

Your videos are awesome. You're the first person I watched on youtube when I've decided to start backpacking myself this summer. I'm working on my fitness so I'm able to take a 4 or 5 day hike. I moved to Colorado last summer so I have no excuse not to get out. Glad to see the dogs are ok after this outing. I have a yellow who turns 9 in December and I'm going to bring him with my first 4 day trip. Thanks again for the inspiration!!!! Couple Questions: Did you weigh your pack and if so how much did you carry this trip? When is your next video?

[@jasonsoutthere7733]

I love Love Love your videos sir. If I had a decent job, (which I don't and never will) I would save my money, quit the job and go hike. Then I would get another decent job, save, quit and go hike some more. Pretty soon I would run out of decent jobs because no one would hire me. Then what? lol Thanks for another great video Mr. Gray!

[@julie3026]

I love your videos! This trip looks like something that happens to my husband and I run into all the time (getting off course, bad weather)! Next time you take the dogs you may want to invest in "doggy boots." My dad uses them on his hunting dogs it really saves their paws! They do walk a bit funny in them till they get used to wearing them! I always feel inspired to"get out there" when I watch your videos, Thank-you for sharing them!

[@davidgrayin]

I actually have a set of paw boots that I bought long ago for Jaden, and the special 'socks' to go with them. I used to carry them routinely, and likely will again after this experience. But one thing you need to keep in mind with the boots, and one of the reasons I stopped carrying them, is that a dog 'sweats' almost entirely through their paws. (They get rid of heat mostly through panting, but sweating through paws). On one brutal heat trip we took with Jaden, he was having paw problems so we put the boots on him - and then he started to experience serious overheating problems (far worse than the paw problems - could have led to heat stroke) so we took the boots back off. I can't say with certainty that the boots were the cause of the overheating problems, but after that trip, which was my Shawnee State Forest Backpack Loop trip (I have an old youtube video posted from 2011) I stopped carrying the paw boots. However... I AM going to carry them again because even though they can exacerbate heat issues, a dog can get paw problems serious enough to prevent them from walking and the boots might be a solution to that.

[@julie3026]

That is good, Dad uses them depending on terrain for the bird dogs. Dad hunts rabbit in the winter, our beagles wore the boots when ice was cutting up paws (no risk of overheating then)! My son age 2 watches some of the video with me, he loved watching the dogs especially crossing the bridges!

[@Dovid2000]

I enjoyed watching your video. Good narration. I could actually get a good sense of the cold, of the wood smoke, of the physical exertion, etc. The one thing that I would have hoped to see more of was your son being more involved, such as conversing with you. Overall, a good video and beautiful scenery.

[@davidgrayin]

Thank you - getting a sense of 'being there' is always what I'm hoping to achieve. Yes, Christian is usually really quiet in the videos, and just in general. A number of people have made the same comment. He doesn't really share the same 'passion' I have for making these videos, and I don't want to push him too hard to get more engaged because I fear he might no longer want to go on them with me if I make it uncomfortable for him. I think his attitude is that he's willing to tolerate my many 'camera' stops and non-stop jabbering into a camera, but tolerance is as far as he'll go - actual participation might be asking too much!

[@Dovid2000]

You do very well in making-up for his lack of interaction, and, yes, it is enough that he agrees to accompany you on these outdoor escapades. If you should ever think about doing a video in Israel in spring time, the Elah Valley is a very beautiful place to visit. May you have the best of success in all your outdoor ventures.

[@timjames6190]

love what you do keep up the films

[@rogermueller9143]

dude,you make the best videos by far

[@ConjuntoBuenaMezcla]

Thanks for the cool video , David and son!!

[@jasonhuggins244]

Good hike. Going to do it, when I get home!!

[@penttijuvonen3257]

Great trip! It was nice To watch! 🍻🇫🇮

[@billineman6563]

Another great trip! Enjoyed it Bill from Ohio! Thanks

[@tuber45371]

Thanks for taking us along. My boys and I started backpacking on some weekends about 3 years ago. I'm really interested in your meals and/or meal prep. Could you share some of your recipes?

[@davidgrayin]

I plan to do a 'gear' video on food/meals soon - probably in November after the backpacking season is done for me - and I'll be able to put a lot of detail and even some recipes into that. One of the meals that Christian and I had on the Holy Cross Wildernesss trip was Tex-Mex Cous Cous, which is a recipe I originally saw in Trailgroove online magazine (www.trailgroove.com). The recipe is still in their latest online edition (issue 29) which you can access for free - at least until the next issue comes out, then it costs money to view the old issues. It was really tasty and satisfying, but the recipe as published seemed like enough food for at least four people - both Christian and I, and the two dogs, all had a feast that night! Another one I love is something I incorrectly call Pad Thai. If you do a google search for backpacking pad thai recipes you'll find a number of them, all quite similar. Basically mine consists of rice noodles, freeze dried vegetable soup veggie mix, 'better than boullion' chicken base, sambal oelek chili paste, Mountain House freeze-dried chicken chunks, and a single serving 'Jif to Go' package. I package the noodles separately in a vacuum seal bag, and put the other ingredients in small ziplock bags, then vacuum seal everything together into one final vacuum seal bag. Really tasty, a little spicy, and very satisfying - probably my favorite 'homemade' meal of the trail. I've also done simple ones with instant mashed potatoes, freeze dried cheese, shelf stable bacon, and MH freeze dried ground beef - excellent, filling, and easy. For breakfasts I vacuum seal either various cereals with a separate ziplock bag with Nedo instant milk (whole milk - very good!), or some oatmeal, brown sugar, and Nedo. Dinners can also be easily made based on cous cous, instant refried black beans, and various noodle-based 'sides' - just add some sort of protein if you wish and whatever spices you want. I'm actually getting close to the point of simply carrying the raw ingredients - instant mashed potatoes, cous cous, instant refried beans, MH chicken and ground beef, chicken and beef base, and spices - and making whatever meal I feel like that particular night. But I like the convenience and simplicity of vacuum sealing all the ingredients for one meal into a single vacuum sealed bag - hard to beat!

[@tuber45371]

+David Gray that would be fantastic. We love getting outside as much as we can. The downside is it's a lot of work preparing everything for three people. Having some "go-to", "people tested" recipes would be really cool.

[@waterman308]

Excellent. thank you.

[@cq7415]

Good video. Just like camping......campfires, rain , nice scenery. You look and act like a wonderful person.....no big ego like some have to show. Thanks.

[@alieghbali6545]

I am planning a few day stay at lake Constantine mid July. Hope the trail is all good. Drove from KC first week of June and Tigiwan road was closed. Too much snow. This lake looks amazing and I love what I see from your video. Thanks for the info.

[@davidgrayin]

The first week of June is generally early for most of the high country of Colorado. After an aborted early July trip to the Zirkel Wilderness in 2011 (five feet of snow on the CDT where we wanted to go, and waist deep post-holing required... no thanks!), I generally don't plan any trips for anything 10,000+ foot altitude in Colorado until late in July, and typically into August. Anything earlier than that and you need to be looking at snow depth reports for that year to make sure where you want to go isn't still under snow. We did the Four Pass Loop in mid-July in 2015 without any issues, but that was a low snow depth winter. The Lake Constantine area is really beautiful, and there are tons of good camping spots around the lake. Have fun, and good luck. I think it's been a low snow winter for Colorado so I'm confident you'll be fine there in mid-July.

[@alieghbali6545]

Hey. Thanks for the reply. I made a few calls to the rangers station and asked about the trail and lake details. Said all clear and good to go. My trip is planned for next week. Hope everything goes well. The lake looks beautiful and the hike looks decent. Again, thank you for the reply. 👍👍👍

[@davidgrayin]

You're welcome, and good luck with your hike. I'm envious! Have fun.

[@alieghbali6545]

David Gray I did the trip. Went to half moon and up to lake Constantine for 6 days. Rain, hail, and sunshine all in the same day. Beautiful freaking place. Very sad to had to leave. It the rain started day 4 and didn't stop till we got tired of it. Day 6 we just packed and took off. Everyone and everything was soaked by he time we got back to half moon. Wish I could send you some pictures or videos from the trip. I bet you will remember the place that I camped. (By the big rock)