Day 4 Rain, McCullogh Gulch, and Breckenridge time

Brent woke up and went for a run as usual and when he returned, it started raining. Not how we wanted to start our last big hiking day in Breckenridge.  We ate breakfast and decided to head out and decided we could always shop the downtown area and hike later. We arrived in Breckenridge to sunny skies so we drove out of town to head to the trail head (right next to Quandary Peak) of McCullogh Gulch.  We drove up and through this windy road with a drop off on the side all the way down the mountain. We loaded up the backpacks and camelbaks and were off on a journey we heard was the hike to do, if it was " the only hike you ever did in Summit County."  There was a reason for that- it was a breaktaking hike from the moment we started up the trail.  Huge boulders to climb on all around and wildflowers galore.  The path was very steep and ended up being VERY muddy as well.  We hiked past an old mining town that was just ruins and up and up the boulders and roots and rocks!!! Amazing.  The kids were troopers even though Emy fell 100 times and Brady slipped and slid all over as his body was a tad out of control (surprise surprise). We hiked for an hour or so and made it to the Falls- I was in awe and speechless. Actually teared up at God's amazing creation and might in the powerful falls that went down in 2 huge falls down the mountain side- We sat and watched and had a snack and rested as it was a pretty strenuous hike- We started back and got to the trail sign again that pointed UP again. We talked with two ladies who said it was totally worth it to hike to The Lake- I was all for it while kids were not, but  we talked them into it as it wasn't supposed to be too far up- it was a ways and STRAIGHT up again. I finally walked up the last part while Brent and kids waited down a ways and I made it to the lake- oh my!! There was snow still up there- almost 12,000 feet. I turned around and there was Brady. I told him to walk through the last boulder field and he was like , "this was SOOOO worth it." It was his favorite part of the day- Brent and girls made it up then and we put our feet in ICY cold lake water for a few minutes until we heard the rumbles of thunder. We started back down slipping and sliding a bit but made it down with only sprinkles for the last 5 min. The most break-taking hike we have done!!!! God is good! Pure joy! Then to the town for lunch at Downstairs at Eric's and shopping a bit in the rain.  Cold. 52 degrees. Back to the condo where the hot tub was just what the Dr ordered on our tired legs.  A short bit of fly-fishing in Silverthorne. Supper of leftovers at the condo and teaching kids to play poker was a night to remember! Joy, but rest is now!!!