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!

Cimarron West Fork 9/6/2015

Yesterday we were up in the Wilson Peak area near Lizard Head pass.  Today we headed the opposite direction to venture up the Cimarron West fork.  I've got my sights on Redcliff Peak for a hiking foray in the near future.  It stymied me when I got off trail a few years ago, and I can't let it go.  So, it's good to return to the area just to get the adventure juices going again.  It was a rainy day, so we didn't do much roaming around outside of the 4Runner.


Redcliff Peak is shrouded in clouds on the left side of the photo and Coxcomb Peak is in the background center.  On my first try up Redcliff I had read a guide book that said to stay to the right of the cliff band.  So, I ended up on Coxcomb just below the highest patch of snow in this photo.  I thought I would then walk across to the pass and on up Redcliff.  But, the area was very steep and full of basketball sized rocks and they all moved.  It was way too dangerous to try on my own, so I gave it up.  I've been after that peak ever since and will conquer it one day.

A shot by the stream to the head of the valley.

There was just a hint of fall color beginning to show near some of the hoodoos.  The west fork road is a good road until about a mile from the end.  Then it turns into a rock pile with dips and drops and also steeply dips into and across the stream.  High clearance is a must.  Wouldn't you know it????...right before the stream crossing we saw a travel trailer tucked away in the trees.  It was about a 21 or 22 footer dual axle outfit.  How he got it over that road I'll never know. Once again, common sense seemed to be lacking.

A last view of Coxcomb and a story.  There is a pass on the west side of Coxcomb, just out of view on the upper right of this photo.  A few years ago I was hiking into Wetterhorn basin via this pass.  I was amazed to hear the rumble of a jet coming up the valley.  They are not supposed to fly in these areas, but I was glad this one did.  It was an Air Force fighter jet.  He was going so fast that I saw him before I heard the rumble.  It looked like he was going to slam into the face of Coxcomb.  I was actually above him and remember how cool it was looking right into the cockpit.  Just as he got to the head of the valley he pointed it to the sky and turned on the afterburners.  What a sight!  It was so close I almost felt the heat of the engines...I was definitely looking directly up into the engine ports.  The rumble shook the valley and the ground, and in seconds he was out of sight behind the clouds.  It all happened so quick, I couldn't even get a photo.  I remember thinking - I'm glad they're on our side!  If he ever happens to read this, I just want to say thanks for all you do to preserve my freedom....and thanks for the airshow - it was the best I've ever seen.  God bless America and our service men and women!

Trout Lake Region 9/5/2015

I should have been bow hunting for elk this weekend, but it usually is not good hunting on Labor Day weekend due to all the motorcycles, RV's, ATV's etc.  Some hunting on Saturday morning was very unfruitful, so, Joann and I decided to take a ride up to the Trout Lake area on Lizard Head Pass. And, who knows, we might run into a critter up there somewhere....it didn't happen.  We then drove on up to the Hope Lake trailhead - through very soggy, rainy conditions.  The trailhead was packed with vehicles.  We then headed down the Ilium Road and turned off on the Sunshine Mesa Road.  We'd never been up there and will definitely have to do that one again.


Trout Lake was the fullest I've ever seen it.  It was nearly spilling over the spillway.  That's great news at the end of the summer!

Those clouds hugging the mountain tops look like fall to me.

Of course I had to get a few shots of the old railroad trestle.  I wonder how much longer it will be there.

Up the Sunshine Mesa Road were several structures from by-gone eras.  Those are some heavy timbers they used.  This road is quite steep and rough in spots and has multiple mud holes.  We were shocked to find a hunter that had hauled a travel trailer up to the very end of the road.  I wouldn't want his truck or trailer after that trip.  My thought was, "guess who gets to back up when he meets another vehicle on this one vehicle wide road? - yep, the other vehicle."

Wilson Peak looms in the background across a meadow.  Interestingly, though I don't drink beer, Wilson Peak is supposedly the mountain on the Coors beer logo on bottles and cans.

More structures that have seen better days.

This was my favorite shot of the trip.  I don't know why, I just like it!

View on the more tame, easy part of the road.  We had another great day in God's creation and got to travel a new backroad that we'll definitely check out again.