31 July 2015

Stardate 2015.581

Crystal River Mill, Elk Mountains, Colorado

The Crystal Mill

Snowcatcher and I took a little mountain bike ride out of Marble, Colorado, several days ago. Our route was a jaunt along the narrow 4x4 trail adjacent to the Crystal River. We turned around just beyond the historic 1881 ghost town of Crystal. A handful of buildings still exist and are occupied during the summer months. Enjoy the pics.


Crystal River jeep road

During the icy season, getting to Crystal would take some snow sense in terms of safely navigating avalanche terrain. Nonetheless, with copious amounts of snow, Marble is a magnet to backcountry skiers. If you like to earn your turns, check out Louis Dawson's book, Colorado Backcountry Skiing, Cruisers to Couloirs. The book encompasses the Glenwood Springs, Marble, Crested Butte and Aspen area backcountry skiing.


Whitehouse Mountain, 11,975 feet, Elk Mountains, Colorado

Marble is an intersection of the Elk Mountains to the east and the West Elk Mountains to the south. Two wilderness areas are within throwing distance. The Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area lies to the East, and the Raggeds Wilderness Area to the south. Crested Butte may be reached from the north via Crystal Township and the deadly Devils Punchbowl 4x4 route up Schofield Pass, followed by a drop into the busy ghost town of Gothic, just north of Crested Butte.


Fireweed

Fireweed
Epilobium angustifolium
Evening Primrose family


Crystal town sight

Rustic

Needs no introduction!

This jewel requires no introduction!


Crystal River Mill, Elk Mountains, Colorado

The Crystal Mill
Sorry about the bad lighting. This mill photographs best with low sun angle and yellow leaves.


Elk Mountains, Colorado

Notice the difference in tree heights along the stream and above the stream on each side. In addition to draining Bear Mountain and Little Bear Mountain during warm months, this is an avalanche chute during the winter. The snow slides keep the trees groomed.


Crystal River, Elk Mountains, Colorado

The Crystal River


Crystal River, Elk Mountains, Colorado

Crystal River Gorge


Lizard Lake, Elk Mountains, Colorado

Lizard Lake


Elk Mountains, Colorado

The view across Yule Creek


Sculpted marble quarried at Marble, Colorado.

Marble horses


Sculpted marble quarried at Marble, Colorado.

Marble bighorn sheep


Sculpted marble quarried at Marble, Colorado.

Marble bears

The quality of quarried marble is supposed to be of excellent quality and is shipped around the globe. The marble has been used in the Tomb of the Unknowns, Washington DC Lincoln Memorial, buildings in San Francisco and the Equitable Building in New York City. As a cost example, the above bighorn sheep carving is about four-feet tall and sporting a price-tag of $7500.00.

Thanks for visiting. Coming Soon – Searle Pass

Adios

29 July 2015

Stardate 2015.575

The Anthracite Range has its head in a fog.

Ohio Pass – Crested Butte's Back Door

Ohio Pass connects the Gunnison and Ohio Creek Valleys with Kebler Pass and Crested Butte. It's very scenic. During the fall colors, it's simply on fire. Moreover, on any given fall day, you may inch your way through a herd of cattle being driven down to winter pasture. It's like being in the old west for several hours. It's especially fun to watch the cow dogs work; they're amazing.

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'
Though the streams are swollen
Keep them doggies rollin',
Rawhide...


Heading up Ohio Pass, Colorado, with the Anthracite Range in the background

We're starting our ride up Ohio Pass, with the Anthracite Range in the background.


Anthracite Range, Colorado

The mountain gods be a brewin' something.


Lots of aspen grow here; you ought to see this place in the fall!

If you were to wade out into the quakie jungle, which I highly recommend, the understory would be waist- to chest-high.


Along Ohio Pass, Colorado

Ohio Pass road is not difficult. The average car usually has enough clearance. Nonetheless, there are some rock and drainage surprises to clear; this can change from storm to storm. The pass is narrow, steep and exposed (don't drive off the edge) in places. Long vehicles and trailers are not allowed.


Waterfall, Anthracite Range, Colorado

An enchanting waterfall adorns the eastern terminous of the Antracite Range.


The Castles, West Elk Mountains, Colorado

After riding Ohio Pass, we began the five-hour journey home (Yes, we take the long scenic route.). While driving down Ohio Valley, afternoon storms rapidly gathered over The Castles, eastern ramparts of the West Elk Mountains.


Parry Clover, Trifolium parryi, Pea family

Parry Clover
Trifolium parryi
Pea family

The clover was getting after it at the confluence of the Ohio Creek and Gunnison Valleys.


Lupine, Lupinus argenteus, Pea family

Lupine, Lupinus argenteus, Pea family

Lupine
Lupinus argenteus
Pea family

Reminiscent to Ride the Rockies, our route home took us up the Taylor River Valley to Taylor Park and 12,126-foot Cottonwood Pass. Much of the montane forest ecosystem was quilted together with Lupine.


I think my next blog will be a foray into the colorful Elk Mountains. Stay tuned...

Adios

27 July 2015

Stardate 2015.570

Dillon Pinnacles, Blue Mesa Reservoir, Curecanti National Recreation Area, Colorado Curecanti = Kur eh can tee

More Crested Butte

After a somewhat wet Day One, we retired for the evening along the shore of Blue Mesa Reservoir and listened to the waves caress the shoreline throughout the night. For Day Two, we headed back up toward Crested Butte via Ohio Creek and Ohio Creek Pass.


Anthracite Range, Colorado

When we arrived at the base of the pass, the Anthracite Mountains were still enshrouded in overnight mystique.


Flower infested meadow provides color at the Swampy Trailhead, Ohio Creek, Colorado

The flower-bathed meadow at the Swampy Trailhead was awash in yellow.


Hill slope at the Swampy Trailhead, Ohio Creek, Colorado

Remember, a flowery hill slope is a happy hill slope.


GoldeneyeHeliomeris multifloraAster family

Goldeneye
Heliomeris multiflora
Aster family


Yellow Paintbrush Castilleja sulphurea Figwort family This species can have a while color variation. The actual flower is hidden within the colored bracts.

Yellow Paintbrush
Castilleja sulphurea
Figwort family
This species can have a while color variation.
The actual flower is hidden within the colored bracts.


Coral Root Corallorhiza maculate Orchid family This is a very shy orchid

Coral Root
Corallorhiza maculate
Orchid family
This is a very shy orchid.


Orange SneezeweedDugaldia hoopesiiAster family

Orange Sneezeweed
Dugaldia hoopesii
Aster family


Sticky Geranium Geranium viscosissimum Geranium family

Sticky Geranium
Geranium viscosissimum
Geranium family


Backcountry livestock staging area corrals, Ohio Creek, Colorado

Backcountry livestock staging area corrals, Ohio Creek, Colorado

The above two pics are of backcountry and livestock staging area corrals at the Swampy Trailhead. I think the bent upper rails are to ease in throwing heavy bales of hay into the corrals. If the corrals are full, it would be easy to get squished while feeding from the inside.

I had a unique bonding experience with these corrals on that day. I was filming the fields of flowers with my video camera, just moseying through the grass and flowers. The plant life was waist- to chest-high and I couldn't see my feet very well. Slowly moving, concentrating on keeping the camera still, I faintly noticed the tail of a snake in front of me. No big deal. Without looking, I conveniently stepped up onto a small log to go around the stealthy reptile. Well, as I stepped onto the log, I jumped clean out of my skin and exited as fast as I could! The log was covered with serpents sunning themselves! As soon as they felt the log tip, they began writhing hypnotically and slithering around! The rest was all reflex and a few colorful words! Snowcatcher caught the moment on film, too, and it's hilarious. My camera was still recording as well. I think the trailhead should be renamed Serpents' Lair. What do you think?



More Day Two is on the way!

Adios

23 July 2015

Stardate 2015.559

Can you say, wildflowers?

Wildflower Season is Here!

Snowcatcher and I took a jaunt to one of our favorite haunts recently. We spent two days in the Crested Butte, Colorado area. Early monsoonal rain has helped to yield a spectacular crop of wildflowers. During our foray, we encountered a bit of everything, from rain and sun to washing bicycle wheels off in the creek before riding because the 4Runner's tire spray had entombed them in mud. The mountain gods are keeping things fresh and exciting.


Vicinity of Gothic, Colorado

In the distance, Avery Peak (12,366 ft) rises above the headwaters of the East River.


Vicinity of Gothic, Colorado

Flowers were dancing in the breeze all over the place.


12,625-foot Gothic Mountain

12,625-foot Gothic Mountain


Mount Bellview reaches 12,519 feet.

Mount Bellview reaches 12,519 feet. The left and right sub-peaks are 12,473 and 12,445 feet in elevation, respectively.


Avery Peak (12,366 ft)

The west face of Avery Peak watches over the beautiful lush subalpine forest beneath.


Upper right background is Rustler Gulch

The alpine basin in the upper right background is Rustler Gulch. This probably is a fitting title, considering the past 100-plus years of ranching in this region.


Mount Bellview reaches 12,519 feet

Mount Bellview (12,519 ft)


The East Brush Creek jeep trail looks a bit ordinary.  However, not far beyond this spot, after a major stream crossing, the road turns into a real 4x4 jeep track that meanders all the way up to 12,705-foot Pearl Pass.  From Pearl Pass, the jeep route continues down Castle Creek to posh Aspen.

The East Brush Creek jeep trail looks a bit ordinary. However, not far beyond this spot, after a major stream crossing, the road turns into a real 4x4 jeep track that meanders all the way up to 12,705-foot Pearl Pass. From Pearl Pass, the jeep route continues down Castle Creek to posh Aspen.


It's day's end along East Brush Creek.  The peak to the left is Teocalli Mountain (13,208 ft, state rank #478).  The high peak in the far background is Castle Peak (14,265 ft, state rank #12).

It's day's end along East Brush Creek. The peak to the left is Teocalli Mountain (13,208 ft, state rank #478). The high peak in the far background is Castle Peak (14,265 ft, state rank #12).

Thanks for reading. There's more Crested Butte coming.

Adios

14 July 2015

Stardate 2015.534

Sneezeweed

Guanella Pass

After months of cycling, Snowcatcher and I got out of the house for an afternoon of alpine flower and snow reconnaissance this past weekend. Things are becoming accessible up high, at least in the Front Range. Better yet, this year's flower crop is prolific. Following are pics from 11,669-foot Guanella Pass and surrounds.


Square Top Mountain

13,794-foot Square Top Mountain (state rank 111) dominates the western view from Guanella Pass.


Goldenbanner

Goldenbanner
Thermopsis montana
Pea family


The Sawtooth and Mount Bierstadt

The view east is dominated by Mount Bierstadt (right) and The Sawtooth Ridge. Mount Bierstadt is named after painter Albert Bierstadt. The peak is 14,060 feet high and is the 38th highest peak in Colorado. Bierstadt also is one of the easier "walk-up" 14ers in the state. However, the altitude can still take your breath away. Moreover, the surrounding slopes are overrun by mountain goats; this makes photographers like Snowcatcher happy. The Sawtooth Ridge delivers fun, class 3, hand and foot climbing to the northwest summit ridge of Colorado's 14th highest peak, 14,264-foot Mount Evans (out of view).


Lupine

Lupine
Lupinus argenteus
Pea family


Yellow Stonecrop

Yellow Stonecrop
Amerosedum lanceolatum
Stonecrop family


Geneva Park

Geneva Park, at 9,700 feet, is awash in wildflowers. Duck Creek, Bruno Gulch and Burning Bear Creek all confluence with Geneva Creek along this mile of stream reach. Geneva Creek flows south to the South Platte River. Question of the day – where were the moose hiding?



South Clear Creek begins its journey on the north side of Guanella Pass.


Sneezeweed

Orange Sneezeweed
Dugaldia hoopessi
Aster family


One-headed Daisy

One-Headed Daisy
Erigeron simplex
Aster family


Sneezeweed

Orange Sneezeweed
Dugaldia hoopessi
Aster family


One-headed Daisy

One-Headed Daisy
Erigeron simplex
Aster family


Alpine Yarrow and Orange Sneezeweed

Alpine Yarrow
Achillea alpicola
Aster family

and

Orange Sneezeweed
Dugaldia hoopessi
Aster family

That's it for today. Thanks for reading. I believe we have Dieter and Wolfgang on deck.

Adios
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