Flat Tops Wilderness

It was September 2001, and the world had just been shaken to its core. The9/11 attacks left us questioning everything, including whether our planned trip to Colorado’s Flat Tops Wilderness was still on. Canceling felt like letting fear win, so we made a pact: we’d stick to the plan. Boarding a flight from LA to Denver, we rented a car and headed deep into the Rockies, chasing a sense of normalcy, freedom, and adventure.

By the time we reached the trailhead, it was late afternoon, and we faced a steep climb to the plateau. With darkness closing in and hunger setting the pace, we veered off the plan, bush-whacking to a makeshift campsite. That night, with sausage sandwiches sizzling over the stove, we turned a chaotic day into a satisfying start to our journey.

The next morning, refreshed and motivated, we hit the trail to our intended basecamp above Wall Lake. Heavy packs (we hadn’t yet discovered the art of ultralight backpacking) and rugged trails made day hikes around the Flat Tops a welcome relief. The stunning landscapes—endless plateaus, glistening lakes, and towering cliffs—provided the inspiration we didn’t yet know we needed.

We wrapped up the trip in Steamboat Springs with a celebratory meal, a stay at the Rabbit Ears Motel, and a restorative soak in the hot springs. It wasn’t just a hiking trip; it was the spark that ignited over two decades of Los Boyz adventures. Amid the uncertainty of the times, this inaugural journey proved that camaraderie, courage, and a little sausage can turn any challenge into an unforgettable triumph.

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