Taylor Park Ride

6/29/2018

We bought a "new to us" Jeep Wrangler in May and have been enjoying every back road in our neck of the woods.  This trip has more roads than we can shake a stick at.  Surprisingly, I didn't take that many photos...just enjoying the outdoors I guess!

Spring Creek cabin - I love these old structures and wish these walls could talk.  I'll bet they'd have some interesting stories.

The Jeep high in the Rockies.

Lots of high views

Sad part is this was a very dusty ride.  The roads were powder.  There hasn't been any rain up here in weeks. Lunch spot.

 

Taylor River and the Collegiate Range.  The Lord is an amazing creator and artist...I just try to copy His work.

Hiking for Wildlife Photos

6/18/2018

This outing was trying to get some wildlife photos.  I didn't run on to any big game, but did get a couple bird photos.  It was fun regardless.

Pine cones in the making

A columbine - my favorite wildflower.

Birds

Fritillary butterfly

Cimarron West Fork

6/15/2018

Went for a ride and photo journey up the Cimarron.  It was a beautiful day with plenty of amazing views of these mighty mountains and God's creation.

White columbines

Chimney Rock high overhead

Lupines - a forecaster of summer!

Mule deer doe munching belly high grass

Coxcomb and Redcliff

Blue Lakes Hike with grandkids

6/12/2018

It's always a treat to hike with the grandkids.  They are lots of fun and fortunately enjoy hiking as much as grandpa.  Low snowpack this winter made this an easy hike.  Normally it would involve lots of snow crossing this time of year.  I had a great time - you guys are soooo much fun!

Everybody taking a break.  Ryan...look at the camera!

Marsh marigold

These people need a snack every five minutes...haha

Katelyn...stay off that log!...she didn't!

Garrett & Ryan

Of course there was lots of rock skipping and throwing.

Grandma wouldn't let us come home without a poser shot.

Fun times on the way back down the trail.

Wow, love that blue!

I am a blessed man...gorgeous places like this to hike and the physical ability to get there...and fantastic grandkids to share it with!

Bridge of Heaven Hike 5/23/2018

This was another hike I made this spring that was earlier than most years due to no snow.  However, the snowfield at the end was too unstable, so I had to hike up beside the field which is almost straight up and it was very loose and muddy.  But, I made it to the goal anyway and had a great day!

A bit up the trail - spring green is starting.

Nice view of Whitehouse Mountain.  Right in this area a few years ago I ran into a black bear and her two cubs.  That's an earlier post.

I just can't get enough of these mountains.

Nice view up valley.

One of my favorite pictures I've taken from this spot.

As Del Que told Jeremiah - "watch your back trail."

The snow field - the snow was so soft I opted to go up the mountains beside it vs across.  Good move I think!

Gnarly view to the northeast.  Man these San Juans are rugged!

As usual, the wind was howling up here so I didn't stay long.

A couple shots on the way down of my favorite mountains.  The tall one on the left is Coxcomb.

And here's Courthouse

It sure was a great hike.  Thanks Lord for letting me hike this mountain one more time...please give me many more!

Blue Lakes Hike 5/18/2018

This was one of my earliest hikes to the Blue Lakes.  It was about a mile or more of post-holing in snow.  But, in most years I would not even try it at this time of year as you may not even get to the trailhead.  This drought year has been crazy.  The snowpack is the lowest on record.

Lots of peak beauty on the way.

The start of post-holing

Crossing an avalanche field

Frozen lower lake

Gopro shot from above the lake

A very fun trip, but I hope I will never be able to get here at this time of year again.

Baldy Hike 5/16/2018

I try to hike Baldy most years.  It's a good early season hike to get the winter cobwebs cleared and the joints lubed up.  This year's hike was nearly snowless unfortunately.  But, it's still good!

A little Larkspur, Sugarbowl, & Iris on the way.

Now that's a view worth working for.

Lots of Pasque Flowers at the top.

A photo frame.

Trail eye candy!

A victim of winter or ???  Looks like a bullet or arrow to me...note the sawed back of the skull.

As usual it was a fun jaunt in God's great picture gallery!