Solo hiking

"Be sure and send me a text when you get back to your car so that I'll know you're safe," Robin reminded me as I set off on yet another solo hike. I often hike alone, or take solo road trips in search of photos or mushrooms. However,  95% of the time these solo excursions are outside of cell phone coverage so I stick to well-marked trails, and always carry plenty of water, extra food, first aid kit, GPS, fire-starter materials, Leatherman multitool, space blanket, and whistle. I like to be prepared. And self-sufficient. But it is nice to know that someone cares, that someone will notice if I don't return as expected.

I recently took a spur of the moment road trip - and drove west into the mountains with no set itinerary, no reservations; au pif* (*au pif is a French expression for 'following my nose'). I ended up in the mountains near Aspen, Colorado. I lucked out and got the last campsite where I set up my tent on the soaking wet ground.

After my picnic dinner I was careful to store my food in the bear-proof container near the campsite.

The following morning I got up early and drove to Maroon Bells Lake to get some photos

And I was thrilled to see a bear on the way back to my campsite!

 Don't worry! I was in my car and black bears are far more afraid of us than we are of them! The cyclists were somewhat intimidated . . . . but the bear ambled back into the forest in search of berries shortly after I took this photo. And the cyclists continued their ride.

Traveling with Eric

My son Eric is here in Colorado for a short visit. He has been living in Hong Kong for the last few years and I don't get to see him very often - so I jumped at the chance to accompany him to Taos to visit with friends Bob and Martha who are Eric's publishers.

The trip from Boulder to Taos takes us through some beautiful, wild, and remote areas of Colorado. The shot below was taken on Poncha Pass at the northern end of the vast San Luis Valley. The San Luis Valley covers approximately 8,000 square miles (21,000 km2) and sits at an average elevation of 7,664 feet (2,336 m) above sea level.

The valley is filled with grass, rabbits, coyotes, elk, pronghorn antelopes and very few people. I was born in a small town in the southern corner of this valley, so each time I come back here it is like coming home for me.

And every moment that I spend with Eric is heaven.

Nature's resiliency?

I took a hike this week on one of my favorite trails in the mountains west of Boulder. The region has seen above average rainfall during the last two months and I'd heard that it's an exceptional year for wildflowers. Furthermore, mushrooms have been reported earlier in the season than usual - thanks to the moisture.

I was not disappointed.

I even found a few mushrooms hiding among the flowers.

I felt exhilarated by the resiliency of nature: the ability of rain to restore the potential of the flower seeds and mushrooms spores lying dormant in the soil, just waiting for the right combination of temperature and precipitation to burst into bloom. The rivers and streams too are running higher than usual, with flowers adorning their banks.

All felt right in the world.

Until I reached the end of the trail and found that the glacier for which the trail is named has almost completely melted away. Hiking to the end of this trail used to involve crossing a slippery ice field - of which very little remains. And the river used to flow out from under a huge ice shelf. No longer.

The glacier used to cover the entire rocky area

Finally, I was dismayed to find the glacier lake is 40 percent smaller and 10 feet lower than it was just one year ago. A reminder of the short term benefits of rainfall, but the long term effects of the warming of the planet.

Most of these rocks were submerged just one year ago.

Brainard Lake

I took another hike in the Brainard Lake recreation area west of Boulder yesterday. And although I do go for the sightseeing and the exercise,

Brainard Lake

I always enjoy the flowers

 and the waterfalls,

Blue Lake

but the real reason I go is because . . . . .

 

of the mushrooms!! This prized edible is known by various names: boletus edulis (Latin), king bolete (English), porcini (Italian) or cèpe (French). But whatever you call it, it is delicious!!

Lake Isabelle

Every once in a while, my solitude - admittedly self-imposed - finds me in a melancholy mood. My favorite form of self-medication is a hike in my beloved Rocky Mountains.
We've had a lot of rain lately and I set out yesterday to look for mushrooms on the Isabelle Glacier trail near Brainard Lake west of Boulder.

I didn't find any mushrooms, but the wildflowers were out in force.

And the streams were flowing swiftly.

I walked as far as Lake Isabelle, only two miles from the trailhead

And took a selfie before turning around

to head back down the way I came.

As an extra bonus, I encountered a couple of bull moose who stopped eating long enough to have their pictures taken.

Check out the size of those antlers - still covered with velvet!

Cache la Poudre

Sunday's drive took me west of the town of Fort Collins where I attended college. I followed the Cache la Poudre river which was named by French trappers in the 1820s when they were caught by a snowstorm and were forced to bury part of their gunpowder along its banks.

The narrow canyon walls create stunning views

and some great white water rafting.

 The water is very cold and no one finishes the trip without getting wet!

Mount Evans

I'm back in Colorado enjoying the sunny skies and mountains of my home state. I took a drive this week to the summit of Mount Evans west of Denver.

Looking down through the clouds below the summit

I didn't see any of the mountain goats or bighorn sheep that frequent the mountain, but there were plenty of marmots out sunning themselves.

I always enjoy the twisted shapes of the bristle cone pines near treeline

Exposed roots of fallen bristle cone pine

and melting snow at the summit.

Snowy Colorado

I've left behind the snowstorms in Denver and have returned to Paris. Colorado depends on its winter snows to fuel the ski industry and today many ski resorts are celebrating two feet of fresh powder.

The sun typically returns quickly, leaving me with memories of cobalt blue skies.

Mount Evans

Today we decided to take a drive to the summit of Mount Evans west of Denver. The temperature in the city was 86 degrees F (30C) and when we reached the summit at 14,130ft (4,307m), the temperature was only 48 degrees F (9C). Brrr!

We took our car, but some intrepid travelers ride bicycles all the way to the top!

Near the summit you can see mountain goats and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.

Yearling bighorn sheep practicing head-butting

It's a haven for photographers. This gentleman was using a vintage Hasselblad to capture photos of the bristlecone pines.

Garden of the Gods

We're spending our last few days in Colorado taking advantage of the warm weather to explore the state. Today's ride took us south towards Colorado Springs and the Garden of the Gods. We took the long way - over a dirt road with scenery like this.

Garden of the Gods offers spectacular photo opportunities. See for yourself.

The rock formations are also much appreciated by climbers such as these two

Mountain house

We've just returned from a three-day stay at my brother Joe's mountain house. The house sits on 140 acres of secluded woods near Idaho Springs. The house is only 45 minutes west of Denver, but a world away from the stresses of daily life. We arrived during the peak of the autumn colors as you can see for yourself. 

My brother Joe

Living room

 

The view from the front door

Playing chess on the terrace

Transportation for the trails behind the house