Julia and her husband hiking to Columbine Lake in Colorado.

Hello, friends and fellow home cooks!

This is my weekly newsletter, which includes 7 weeknight meals + 3 healthy salads (for the week of September 23-29, 2024) + 3 new posts published in the last 7 days!

At the bottom of this newsletter, I’m sharing some amazing photos from our hike to Columbine Lake near Silverton, Colorado. It’s a lesser-known but challenging and strenuous hike that rewards you with a breathtaking turquoise glacial alpine lake sitting at 12,690 feet!

7 weeknight meals + 3 healthy salads

DAY 1: Creamy Mozzarella Shrimp Pasta

Creamy Mozzarella Shrimp Pasta - in a stainless steel pan.

DAY 2: Lemon Pepper Chicken with Creamy Garlic-Lemon Sauce

lemon pepper chicken in a stainless steel pan

DAY 3: Mediterranean Salmon with Rice, Chickpeas, Cherry Tomatoes, Olives, and Feta (One-Pan, 30-Minute Meal)

Mediterranean Salmon with Rice, Chickpeas, Cherry Tomatoes, Olives, and Feta Cheese - in a cast iron skillet.

DAY 4: Chicken Risotto (creamy rice) with Spinach, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Parmesan Cheese

Chicken Risotto with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach in a cast iron skillet.

DAY 5: Southwestern Black Bean and Butternut Squash Enchilada Casserole (Meatless. You can use sweet potatoes or yams instead of butternut squash).

Southwestern Black Bean and Butternut Squash Enchilada Casserole - in a casserole dish.

DAY 6: Chicken Florentine Bake with Spinach-Artichoke Dip, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Mozzarella Cheese (30 Minutes, One-Pan)

Chicken Florentine Bake with Spinach-Artichoke Dip, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Mozzarella Cheese (chicken breasts in a casserole dish).

DAY 7: Vegetable Beef Soup with Carrots, Potatoes, Bell Pepper, and Green Peas (ONE-POT)

Vegetable beef soup with onions, garlic, carrots, potatoes, bell peppers, and green peas - in a pot.

SALAD 1: Apple Spinach Salad with Pecans, Dried Cranberries, Goat Cheese, and Maple-Lime Mustard Dressing

Apple Spinach Salad with Cranberries, Pecans, and Goat Cheese in a white bowl.

SALAD 2: Strawberry Mango Salad with Arugula/Spinach Mix

Strawberries and mango salad with fresh greens (arugula and spinach), sliced red onion, feta cheese, and pine nuts in a lemon honey mustard dressing - in a white bowl.

SALAD 3: Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Spinach, Apples, Pecans, Pumpkin Seeds, and Feta

Sweet Potato Salad with Spinach, Pecans, Pumpkin Seeds, Cranberries, Feta in a white bowl.

New posts published in the last 7 days!

NEW: Sausage White Bean Soup with Spinach and Carrots (30 Minutes, One-Pot)

sausage white bean soup with carrots and spinach - in a white bowl.

NEW: Steak Enchiladas

Steak Enchiladas topped with melted Pepper Jack Cheese, chopped green onions, chopped cilantro, and sliced avocado - in a cast iron skillet.

 

NEW: My Best 26 Apple Recipes to Make in the Fall (both Savory and Sweet)

Broccoli Cashew Salad with Apples, Pears, and Cranberries - in a white bowl.

Hiking Columbine Lake near Silverton and Ouray in Southwest Colorado

Let me tell you about another one of my favorite hikes—Columbine Lake, nestled in the San Juan National Forest near Silverton and Ouray in Southwest Colorado. It’s a 7-mile round-trip hike to a stunning alpine glacial lake that sits at 12,690 feet elevation! The elevation at the trailhead (where the hike starts) is 10,350 feet, and your ending elevation at the lake (at the end of the hike) is 12,690 feet. So, you’re looking at a solid 2,340 feet of elevation gain over 3.5 miles one way to the lake. Then, of course, you retrace your steps on the way back. It’s an out-and-back hike, and wow, it is worth every step.

Julia standing on a rock at Columbine Lake in Colorado.

Columbine Lake is located in a glacial bowl surrounded by peaks over 13,000 feet. Alpine lakes always have a stunningly clear, jewel-like appearance.

Columbine Lake in Colorado.

Columbine Lake in Colorado

What makes it extra special is that it’s one of Colorado’s hidden gems—not as well-known, but absolutely gorgeous. You start by tackling a steep trail through the dense forest, then break through the tree line into breathtaking alpine meadows, and finally, you reach the jewel of the hike: a crystal-clear glacial lake, framed by rugged 13,000-foot peaks. It’s nothing short of magical.

Now, I’ll be honest—this hike is no joke. It’s strenuous, off the beaten path, and you need to be in good shape and acclimated to the altitude to really enjoy it. We barely saw a soul on the trail—maybe three people total—which was part of the charm. If you’re an experienced hiker, this is an unforgettable adventure. But for a casual hiker? Probably not the best choice.

Here are some photos from our adventure! I cannot wait to do this hike again!

Julia and her husband are hiking to an alpine lake in Colorado.

Right from the start, the trail kicks off with some steep switchbacks through a spruce-fir forest, and let me tell you, it wastes no time getting your legs burning! You’ll be gaining elevation fast. But once you power through that, the trail chills out a bit, and you find yourself in wide-open meadows above the tree line. Normally, these meadows would be bursting with wildflowers, but since we hiked in September, this was our view:

Julia on a hiking trail on the way to Columbine Lake in Colorado.

hiking trail near Columbine Lake in Colorado.

Here we are entering the zone above the tree line:

Julia on a hiking trail near Columbine Lake in Colorado.

The trail becomes steep again in the middle of the basin, and we found ourselves climbing through rocky meadows. We had to hike across scree slopes and piles, which can feel like navigating a giant slide made of rocks. You have to be careful, pay attention, and wear the right shoes.

And there’s Kevin, standing at the edge of the abyss—probably pondering whether he’s brave or just slightly crazy!

hiking trail on the way to Columbine Lake in Colorado.

On a hiking trail on the way to Columbine Lake in Colorado.

After all that hiking and climbing, we were finally rewarded with a stunning view of Columbine Lake at 12,690 feet! It’s definitely above the tree line—no trees anywhere in sight! Just pure mountain glory!

Julia and her husband at the Columbine Lake in Colorado.

Julia at the Columbine Lake in Colorado.

Columbine Lake is set in a glacial bowl surrounded by rugged ridges over 13,000 feet. The elevation at this lake is 12,690 feet.

Julia sitting on a rock in front of the Columbine Lake, an alpine lake in Colorado.

On the way back, the weather changed fast, and it started raining. Here we are, descending from above the tree line into the wooded area.

hiking trail near Columbine Lake in Colorado.

hiking trail near Columbine Lake in Colorado.

These things were falling all over me at one point. Not sure what it was – rain and wind or an angry squirrel.

purple pine cones on the ground.

We had lots of rain (again!) on our way back which made the descent actually easier because the trail had more traction. On dry days, some trails can have loose gravel or compacted dirt that acts like a layer of sand, causing hikers to lose stability. So the rain can sometimes be a hidden advantage on some trails, as long as you’re not climbing up or down huge slippery rocks and as long as there are no bolts of lightning.

hiking trail in Colorado.

At this point, we were almost done with our hike. Take a closer look and you might just spot a moose hanging out by the water’s edge!

View from a hiking trail in Colorado.

view from a hiking trail in Colorado.

There’s another moose we spotted! There were three in total—one was an adorable baby calf. The other two were “playing hide-and-seek” behind the trees and bushes, popping out every now and then.

Moose in the distance

Life can be so sad and I think it’s important to focus on positive things we have and things we can still enjoy.

A huge shout-out and THANK YOU to everyone who leaves comments on my website! Your feedback and recipe reviews are everything—they keep me motivated and prevent me from feeling like I’m just tossing recipes into a culinary black hole!

Please don’t be shy and say Hello in the comments and let me know where you’re from (I am from Colorado) or share one good or fun thing that happened to you this week! (For me, it’s all about hiking these days, lol!) Or, tell me if you’re planning to try any of my recipes, it’s a meal plan, after all! 😍🥰

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *