Distance: small loop 4.7 miles (plus 3.6 round trip from car to trailhead)
Altitude Gained: 880 ft (plus some)
it occurs to us
that the ponderosa pines
have reached nirvana
Now this is our kind of trail: enchanted friendly forest of old wise ponderosa pines highlighted by the occasional aspen grove. As the name of the trail suggests, some of these pines are destined to be logs for human use. But we imagine that when their time comes, they take their death with honor. They seem to have reached a state of consciousness that our human brains cannot understand. Some appear to be engaged in yoga or a very slow interpretative dance.
Let it be known that we could not drive all the way in to the parking area for the trail as Junction Creek Road was closed several miles beforehand. We aren't sure why, perhaps because the campground isn't open yet?
Let it be known that we could not drive all the way in to the parking area for the trail as Junction Creek Road was closed several miles beforehand. We aren't sure why, perhaps because the campground isn't open yet?
It made for a nice walk anyway, but because of the extra time, we were unable to do the big Log Chutes loop. Nevertheless, we got into the woods, which is what we were looking for. Of the "city hikes" we have been doing thus far, the Log Chutes trail feels the farthest removed from town. You get the occasional view of the valley and the Fort, but it still feels like you are in the wilderness.
This Aspen ( Populus tremuloides) grove struck our eye; we loved the contrast of their bare white bodies amongst the jolly green giants. Aspen trees are incredible! They are disputably, the largest living organisms on earth. All Aspens standing together in a grove are connected by an underground root system derived from a single seedling; hundreds of trees all genetically identical...amazing!
We also saw small living organisms, like this Short-horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi).
And in our tradition of scat identification, we present the droppings of a Bobcat (Lynx rufus), the most common wildcat species in Colorado. Their scat is long and cylindrical, containing hair and bones.
(Here's your drama Will: see how Kristin fords this river with the acumen of a crouching tiger! Okay, we'll do better next time...)
There was an abundance of running water making music on our hike, reminding us that the snow is melting rapidly. Soon we will be able to get higher!
