Porter Reservoirs - Grand Mesa 9/25/2015

I took the day off and decided to check out a place I'd not been to for at least 25 years.  The last time I was here was with my dad, who has since passed on.  We had to leave a 4 wheeler up here due to being caught in a rain storm.  This road has the worst "gumbo" mud on the planet.  It completely stopped the wheels of one of our ATV's.  We had to ride up the next day and bring it out.  Although the post is titled Porter Reservoirs; most locals will still call them the Davies Reservoirs.  They used to be great fishing.  However, I learned from a couple locals in the area that the lakes were completely drained a couple years ago and all fish were lost.  Supposedly they have stocked them since, but I saw no evidence of fish.  I was looking at hunting potential as well as fishing.  This is a very rough road and taking my ATV was the only way I was going up there.

On the way up - fall colors are just underway.  I saw trucks of hunters up here with generous amounts of Colorado "pinstriping".  Here's a section that will definitely result in some scratches.  The oak brush was intent on yanking me off the 4 wheeler.

A few mallards enjoying a pond along side the road.

First stop was Morris Reservoir.  It was very low and I did not see any evidence that it still held fish. I've caught some incredible brook trout from this lake.

So, I then headed on up the mountain to Lower Davies lake - or Big Davies as we called it.  Again, it is very low and no sign of fish.

So, it's on up to Upper Davies, or Little Davies as we called it.  Again, low water and no sign of fish.

In between the two lakes is a cabin.  I was surprised to see it still standing.  I've stayed in this cabin several times.  My dad, myself, and Cortie Blackburn used to drive the old two wheel drive pickups up here and spend the night in this cabin.  The road is so rough and full of mudholes in the summer, that getting stuck was a given.  We had some great times in this cabin.  Cortie was a "snorer" and he would literally make the walls of the cabin shake.  But, Cortie could catch fish when no one else could.  He was a "dyed in the wool" fisherman.

A shot through a broken window.  The outside is defnitely gettin in.  It looks the same as it did back in the 60's and 70's.

After rekindling memories it was back down to Duggart Reservoir.  It was the only one that was full. I met some nice hunters from Wisconsin that were camped at the lake.  They had not seen any evidence of fish.  Sad!  But, there were some nice colors around the lake.

Lots of fall beauty.

Fall was getting underway in fine fashion!

One last shot!  It was great to get back up there.  Memories were rekindled.  I enjoyed sitting by the lakes and reliving fishing there with my dad and Cortie.  I'm not sure I'll ever go back - we'll see.  If there were still brookies in there like there used to be; I'd be willing to endure the torture of that road. But, until I know they are back, I think I'll just enjoy the photos of a great trip.  Once again - thank you Lord for great memories of great trips, great people and scenery beyond compare!  I'm blessed!

Little Cimarron Colors Ride 9/26/2015

This post doesn't involve hiking, but just an outing anyone can do up the Little Cimarron River.  Usually the fall colors up there are fantastic.  So, we decided to check them out.  The colors this year have been off in timing and intensity.  The prolonged heat of September, along with an abundance of rain in the summer have affected the fall plumage.  They say that the abundance of rain sometimes leaves the aspens with a temporary mold/fungus that causes the leaves to turn brown versus yellow or to leave them with many black or gray spots.  I've seen a lot of leaves like that this year.  But, it doesn't matter, it's still beautiful anyway.  So here are a few shots of our trip.

Joann and I cooking up some hotdogs by the river.

A brook trout - just before he darted into the under-bank.

Fall is definitely in the air.

Mixture of green and gold - collision of seasons!

Great views.

A doe giving us the "once over".

A golden road.

Nice vista.

A couple of yearlings we met - they look like trouble.

Thank you Lord for another opportunity to enjoy your beautiful creation!

Horsethief Trail Hike with Grandsons - to Bridge of Heaven 9/19/2015

A week before this I had a great hike with my grandsons up Bear Creek Trail.  Since their mom and dad were still hunting we decided to go hiking the second weekend as well.  I'd told them about the mountain sheep and the bears I'd seen in an earlier trip on the Horsethief Trail, so that is the one they wanted to do.  We didn't see any mountain sheep or bears, but we saw another critter that is seldom seen while hiking.  Follow along and you'll see it too!


Somehow we missed the usual trailhead shot.  But, this one was just up the trail a bit - so, it will do.

It was a cool start to the morning, but it would soon warm up as we headed up the switchbacks. There's a side trail to the valley edge with great views of Whitehouse Mountain.  There's a touch of fall going on over there!

Soon we were on the switchbacks.  Nice impromptu shot of my oldest grandson, Garrett.

Snack break taken with the Gopro.

A look down on Ouray.

As we tramped along, Dylan said, "what's that grandpa? - it's a mountain lion."  I quickly sat down and took a photo as quickly as possible.  He was about 50 yards away and did not even look at us.  He just walked to a steep dropoff area and disappeared over the edge.  I've often seen their tracks on this trail, but this is my first sighting of one.  Up at the Bridge of Heaven we ran into a hiker that had passed us on the way up.  I told him we had spotted a mountain lion just after we'd seen him.  He kind of acted like he wasn't sure I was telling the truth.  So, I asked him if he wanted to see the picture.  Of course he then believed me and asked if I'd email him a copy when I got home.  We exchanged info and I did sent him a copy.  On the way down, he was again ahead of us.  He must have told everyone he met about the lion.  They all had to stop us and see the photo.  This lion was quite the celebrity. We definitely traveled closer together after coming across this critter.

Great views abound on this trail - eye candy all over the place.

Lunch at the Bridge of Heaven.  The boys got compliments from one older hiker about what troopers they were and how few young men their age are out enjoying nature.  We all agreed that this was far better than video games or TV....PERIOD!  This was a rare time in all my trips to Bridge of Heaven that the wind wasn't howling.

Bridge of Heaven sign shot.

Zoom view of Wetterhorn (right) and Uncompahgre Peaks. 14ers

The rugged landscape to the north.  Courthouse Mountain upper center.

Red Mountains and Ironton Park to the south.  It looks like fall has arrived there.

There's a bit of fall up here too.

Mmmm - this is why I hike.

Looking back to Ridgway, Montrose, and Delta.  Grand Mesa is way off in the distance in the upper right.

Headed back down after a fantastic hiking day.  Memories are etched in our minds and hearts that will last forever.  It doesn't get any better than this!  Thank you Lord!

Bear Creek Trail Hike with grandsons 9/12/2015

As you can probably tell from my previous posts, I really enjoy hiking with my grandsons.  I think they enjoy it as well - at least they are always eager to go.  None of them had ever been on Bear Creek.  I love the trail, but don't like the hoard of tourists that use it in the summer months.  So, September tends to thin them out and it's mostly locals you see then.  My daughter-in-law had said I would never take her sons on this hike, after she had seen previous photos of the cliffs and ledges that the trail follows.  But, they are older now and more cautious.  I've hiked with them enough that I felt they were ready.  They were spending the week with us while their mom and dad were hunting. So, we decided it was time to tackle this one.  Since I've been on this trail several times, I mostly shot video so I could make a video for the boys on Youtube.  So, a lot of the pictures are actually Gopro frame grabs.

First, a trailhead shot.  Dylan (front) is giving it the somber look.  He'll get wound up shortly.

Soon the trail begins going up the switchbacks.  A lot of this area is slate type rock.  It sounds like walking on loose ceramic tile.  After the switchbacks, the fun begins.  Breathtaking drop-offs and views.

More cliffs with a little rock cribbing to keep the trail from getting too narrow.

Watch your step fellers!

Cliffs with alcoves - very cool!  Note the logs behind the bush in the lower center.  Who would walk across those?  NOT ME!  I'm guessing that was part of the way the trail used to be when used by miners.

Another one of those "faith tester" bridges.  I trust the Lord, but am not sure I trust man's bridge.  I think I'll avoid it.

Grizzly Bear Mine - how did they get this stuff in here without heavy equipment.  There are tons of cast iron mine equipment.  Those folks were ingenious and tough.

Having some fun at Grizzly Bear Mine.

About halfway up there's a side jaunt to a small waterfall.  It's surprising how many people miss it. Anyway, it's a great place to "cool the dogs" and chuck a few rocks.

After the waterfall, there are some nice aspen sections.  What a beautiful day to hike and enjoy family!

Next up is Yellowjacket Mine.  I was surprised to see the main building still standing.  I figured it would have collapsed under winter snows by now.

It's definitely showing its age.  It won't be long and it will give in to the weather.

Yellowjacket Mine.  Potosi Peak in the background.  Dylan - zeroed in on me with his hiking stick.  Glad it's not loaded because I'm sure he'd have a "hair-trigger".

Headed back down.  Several spots were showing signs of fall colors.

Straight up and straight down - no in-between here!

I can see why the tourists like this country so much.  I do too.  Thank you Lord that it's in my "back-yard".

Wow - you don't get views much better than that!

We're headed back down the switchbacks.  Ouray is in the background.  A fantastic time was had by one and all.  Thanks guys for coming along.  I can't get enough of hiking with you!