The trailhead. Duhh
The hike zigzags up some fairly steep terrain until it opens up on a bench for a mile or so. The destination for today is Baldy Peak which is in the center background. On the way up I spotted several elk grazing on the side of Baldy.
The grass as you go through the oak brush is waist high or more. It's full of wild roses - man did they chew my legs up! Plus, they hide things really well - more on that in a minute.
As the trail rises; the San Juan mountains around Ouray look so close you could reach out and touch them.
Baldy Peak also provides some great views. The pasque flowers were just blooming which added a nice touch.
Yours truly counting his blessings on top of Baldy Peak!
Back to what that deep grass and shrubs sometimes hides. On the way down the trail - less than a mile from my truck - I was just moseying along when I heard something off to my right rustling in the grass. It was less than 20 feet away - and I ain't exaggerating! I walked a little closer and saw brown fur and knew immediately it was a bear. But, all I could see was the top of its back and it didn't have a clue I was around. I've encountered our typical black bears many times while running around in the mountains - and they always make a horrible commotion as they make their escape. But, I'd never got up on one this close. So, I thought this was just a bit too close to be surprising a bear. I quietly began backing up the trail. I'd only gone a step or two when the bear apparently caught wind of me. It snorted and grunted; but didn't immediately run away. That was odd. So, I started talking to it in my most authoritative voice - hey bear; you hear me?; hey bear; get out of here. It began to slowly trot off, but it was grunting and growling the whole way. I could hear it's teeth chopping together; which is not a good sign! About 40-50 yards away it stood up on its hind legs to get a good look at me. The whole time it was snorting and snapping its jaws. I was thinking of turning on the video camera when I saw two little black fur balls go up a tree behind the big brown bear. Uh oh - this was not a good thing - now it suddenly came together why this bear didn't make a beeline for parts unknown. Well, momma bear then dropped down on all fours and started walking toward me. That was all I needed to hightail it back up the trail. I really didn't anticipate she'd pursue me with her cubs up a tree - though I didn't stop my jog through the brush until I felt I had a comfortable distance between us. But, they were right on the trail where I needed to go to get back to my truck. No way I was going to cross her again. So, I bushwacked through the nastiest tangle of brush I've ever encountered. Plus, it was on a very steep slope. I wiped out once and put 3 or 4 vertical cuts in my upper right arm. Some that saw my arm said that I could really embellish this story; as the cuts looked just like bear scratches. Anyway, I made it back to the truck without further incident and was never so glad that a hike was over. Thank you Lord for protection from YOUR critters!
On the way down the one lane steep road, I took this parting shot out my passenger window.
In the end - no video - my mind was on other things I guess!