Omayra Acevedo, Vail. The morning air was crisp, but with every passing hour the day became warmer. My allergies were killing me and making it challenging to see things clearly, but I wasn’t about to give up. I saw the words river falls and I had only one mission; nothing was going to stop me from getting there. Not even a runny nose and itchy eyes. It was shortly after a morning photo shoot at the Vail Village that my travel companion and I drove towards the Upper Piney River Falls Trailhead. The drive there was a bit bumpy and dusty, but beautiful nonetheless.

After parking, we changed our shoes, put on sunscreen, mounted our packs on our backs and proceeded towards our afternoon adventure. Upon reaching the trail, one is greeted by Piney Lake, which rests at the edge of the Piney River Ranch, and magically painting the background is the Gore Range. The Gore Range is a 60-mile run of inspiring peaks. When the Ute people settled in the area, they originally referred to this range as the shining mountains. After being there myself, I can see why. Though it was a bit hazy, in a way, it added a bit of ominous mystery to each photo I took. Never did it, however, diminish the beauty of what I was seeing. 

The trail is 5.9 miles out and back. The first almost two miles take you through meadows and – in my humble opinion-the best views of the Gore Range. When the trail begins to climb, you find yourself amidst a forest of mostly Aspen trees. Here is when you begin to hear the sound of running water and though it is difficult to ascertain how far away the falls are, you know you’re close. Your heart starts to beat rapidly; possibly from climbing, but for me, it was pure excitement. Suddenly, the trail descends through more forests and switchbacks. Before you know it, you’re there. Having a small picnic above the Upper Piney River Falls and swaying to the rhythm only moving water can create. 

The hike came to an end and I rushed to the store to get some Claritin. Was the trek worth the torture of dealing with terrible allergies? Without a doubt! I was blessed with the chance of creating memories by visiting a place I had never been before. I was also given the opportunity to test my own patience, will, strength and state of mind. The reward? The experience of the beauty that only Colorado has to offer. 

(Originally published in the October 8, 2020, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)