Stardate 2017.745

Here TodayGone Tomorrow
Another Secret Stash
Snowcatcher and I made a mad dash to the west slope for some aspen color in some of the state's better autumn color palettes. Old man winter just edged us out in places. Despite lots of wet and white, we still took in some color. The day was very long; yet it was worth every minute.

We'll start the post at about the 10,000-foot level of elevation. This is the transition elevation between the Montane (aspen/spruce) and Subalpine (spruce) forests at this latitude. The weather was cold, windy, slippery, and taking a toll on leaves. Onward and upward into the clouds...



Needle Rock: To the left, and out of view, is the English mansion and estate of the late Joe Cocker (think 60s music and Woodstock). He operated a restaurant in nearby Crawford for years. Peaks of the West Elk Wilderness rise in the background.




This pic is from high on the North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison River.




Below is a short reach of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.




North Rim of the Black Canyon




Ditto




Dusk caught us at the base of 13,822-foot Mount Silverheels. This is the 96th tallest peak in Colorado.




The End!

Hopefully more leaf adventures to come.

Adios

Stardate 2015.770

iFall

Hi folks. Autumn in the high country is winding down. With each fall storm, a bit more snow makes an appearance. To catch the end of the leaf season, Snowcatcher and I recently visited Crested Butte, Colorado, again. (We ought to just move there.) Although we missed peak colors, plenty of radiant fall vegetation caught our attention.

As for my photos, my little point and shoot is getting tired. It has survived rough landings on rock, dirt and pavement over the last 10 years. Twice, it's fallen out of a jersey pocket and hit the road at 20 mph. I hate to think of how much sweat it's had to endure as well. So I gave it a weekend off. Instead, I put the iPhone to work. I had okay results. I dislike everything being in wide-angle. But it did a decent job – for a catch-all electronics device. I hope you enjoy Day One of the tail end of CB's leaf season.

The scenic approach to Ohio Pass fills the senses with warm earthiness on a bright autumn afternoon. In the distance rise the Castles. Behind the Castles, West Elk Peak, the highest peak in the West Elk Range, touches the clouds at 13,035 feet. It's the 617th highest peak in Colorado. Lacking the crowds that are drawn to the higher peaks, the West Elk Range is still a wild and rustic place into which one may disappear.



The east end of the east-to-west Anthracite Range allows southerly access to Ohio Pass, Kebler Pass and the Ruby Mountain Range. The latter is actually a sub-range extension of the Elk Range proper; it also embraces the isolated and striking Raggeds Wilderness area.

Fall is a special time to visit this region. It's kind of like stepping back in time. Real cowboys are putting in long hours on horseback to herd their product down off of high mountain pastures. With all the livestock herding, the road can be an elixir of dust and bovine byproduct. You get a bit mangier with each passing vehicle. You feel like a kid again, rolling in the dirt. It's a hoot! Kids do still play in the dirt, don't they?




Future forest soil nutrients




Captured




A Populus tremuloides (Aspen) grove filters afternoon sun along Ohio Pass.





I like drying ferns; they look prehistoric and straight out of the Jurassic Period.




The stored nutrients of decomposing leaf litter patiently journeys its way back into the catacombs of the forest soil.






Colorful Ruby Peak rises to 12,644 feet, as seen from the west side of Kebler Pass.




The eye-catching fluted ridge lines of 11,348-foot Marcellina Mountain provide a pleated late afternoon backdrop from Horse Ranch Park.




That's it for now. Check back for Day Two...

Adios

Stardate 2015.575

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...


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



The mountain gods be a brewin' something.



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



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.



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



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






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

Stardate 2015.559

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.



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



Flowers were dancing in the breeze all over the place.



12,625-foot Gothic Mountain



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



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



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 (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.



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