It Lightninged. It Thundered. It Hailed.

It lightninged. It thundered. It hailed. Motorcycles, ATVs, 4-wheelers ran night and day around the campground. The carbon monoxide alarm went off whenever I turned on the furnace.... "Quiet" is not a word I would use to describe the first trip in my new T@B camper.

The irony is that the campground name was "Peaceful Valley" - more like "Noisy, Loud, Annoying Valley", in my opinion. Even so, I consider myself lucky to have found this campsite so close to Boulder/Denver on the Friday of the Labor Day Holiday.

I had set out early Friday morning with crossed fingers, hoping I'd be able to find a camp site close to home. I'd normally have reserved a site, especially during a busy holiday weekend, but having just acquired the trailer the night before and anxious to test it out, I decided to take my chances and hope I could find an opening. The first campground I arrived at was filled up by 9:30 a.m., even though half the sites were first come first serve. I asked the campground host if they knew of any other campgrounds that might have an opening, and in a tone that indicated I was an idiot for even trying, the campground host said I'd be lucky to find anything so late in the game.

This was discouraging, but I ventured on anyway to the next campground at Peaceful Valley, CO, this time with fingers *and* toes crossed (that's not easy to do). Beginning to doubt I would be able to find anything, I headed straight to the campground hosts' RV when I arrived, not even bothering to check for empty sites on the way. The campground host said they were filled up too. Rats! Arrrgh. Heavy Sigh.

However, just as I was about to give up, the host's wife stepped out and announced there had been a cancellation, and I could have that site. Woo-Hoo! - albeit it was a spot next to the campground entrance and a lot of traffic. Beggars can't be choosers though.

I had stayed at this campground the year before, but in a much more secluded spot that was quiet and serene next to a babbling stream. I was expecting the same this year, but as it turned out, this campground was very popular with the motorbike crowd (somehow I missed that last year). Every other RV seemed to have a trailer in tow filled with 4-wheelers, ATVs, and motorcycles. They might as well have been riding chainsaws and lawnmowers - the noise was almost non-stop, starting before 8 a.m. and lasting well past dark. The campground hosts, who had been so helpful in finding me a spot to camp, suddenly seemed annoyingly oblivious. So, when a storm approached, I was beyond happy and took guilty pleasure in watching the disappointed ATVers abandon their noisy motorcycles and 4-wheelers and scurry inside to get out of the weather. It seems "Peaceful Valley" only lives up to its name when it rains.

I sat back, sipped some hot tea, and reveled in the hypnotic and relaxing pitter-patter of rain on the roof. This intoxicating lullaby soon gave way to stronger pops and thumps when the lovely drizzle turned into an all out downpour and hail storm. The hail beat down harder and harder, and louder and louder. I've never sat inside of a snare drum before, but I can't imagine it would sound much different than what I was experiencing. It rained and hailed for a good half hour, and it wasn't long before my scenic campsite turned into a muddy swamp. Once the storm died down, I waded outside into the muck to survey any damage and the hail that had piled up. Fortunately, the T@B was no worse for the wear.

In spite of the storm, the 4-wheeler noise, and the less than peaceful environment, it ended up being a fun weekend. The highlight was a Saturday hike up to Chasm Lake. This is a 4.2 mile hike (one-way) through heavily wooded pine forest, beyond tree line, and up to the lake at 11,760 feet. The lake is formed in the bowl of the steep cliffs of Long's Peak that rise dramatically on the western edge of the shoreline that is surrounded by boulders, some the size of buses. The lake was very tranquil this day, and towering Long's Peak reflected in the still water. Small birds, marmots, and picas played at water's edge. Clouds floated over head.

It was just beautiful. And Quiet.

If you go:

Peaceful Valley Campground is located 24 miles south of Estes Park, Colorado. Campsites are well spaced with groomed pads, fire pits, picnic tables, and grills. Camping fees are $17/night (2009). The nearest showers ($3) and small grocery are 12 miles away at Meeker Lodge. Water is available at a hand pump on site and vault toilets are located nearby. Alternatively, Camp Dick is another campground option that is located just 1 mile west of Peaceful Valley and also offers similar sites and amenities. The nearest full sized grocery store is located 18 miles south in Nederland, CO.

The Chasm Lake Hike begins at the Longs Peak Trailhead, about 15 miles north of Peaceful Valley. This is a strenuous hike that climbs 2,360 feet at altitude. Be sure to take plenty of water and snacks. Early afternoon thunderstorms are a common occurrence, so start your hike very early and plan for at least 4-5 hours or more round trip from the trail head.