Stardate 2015.677

Say It Aint So...

Waterton Canyon is one of my favorite rides. It's a quick and easy warm-up prior to tackling the short and sweet Roxborough Loop, Trail 800 (Indian Creek Trail) or Segment 1 of the Colorado Trail. Recently, Waterton Canyon was closed due to bears piling on grub while an ever-growing Paparazzi crept to within 10 or 15 feet of the dinner table. Yes, I've taken pictures of the bears over the last several weeks. However, I didn't hang out with the bears sunrise to sunset, as some outdoor photographers appeared to be doing. I'm more of a ride, stop, snap a shot or two, ride-on kind of photographer.



I hope I'm not coming off as being too judgmental. Bears are reclusive, and it's not often you get to see them. However, 50 feet of buffer, including a fast-flowing river, became 10 feet of buffer, next to the side of the trail. After one jogger was bluff charged (supposedly warned about being between mom and cubs), and later a bicyclist was chased, Denver Water shut down the canyon. In my opinion, this is a good move by Denver Water. Currently, there are two sows with two cubs each. I'm sure a boar or two frequent the area as well. Right now their appetites are voracious! According to the fish squeezers (state wildlife officials), bears need up to 20,000 calories per day. They will eat up to 20 hours per day.



Sadly, snow permitting, I probably won't be able to ride the canyon again until sometime in November when the bears shack-up for the winter. Moreover, the bighorn sheep will start their rut in about October, which is fun to spectate. In short, Waterton Canyon is a veritable game preserve, and I already miss it. Other residents I've encountered include mountain lion, deer, elk, coyote, fox, rattlesnake, bull snake, garter snake, yada, yada, yada. Nonetheless, the boys are back in town. I took these shots several days before Waterton's closure while riding through the Strontia Springs Reservoir caretakers compound. Enjoy the sheep pics.






For now...

Adios