March 29 - Desolation Trail / Salt Lake Overlook (Millcreek Canyon)

Beautiful Spring Day! Having plenty of rain (and snow in the mountains). The Daffodils and trees are flowering in the valley. It's a sunny day around 58 degrees so it's time to head out for an after work hike.

Heading back to the Desolation Trail; it's been over a week so I'm still hoping the snow will be gone and some Spring flowers emerging.

As I enter the canyon, the invasive Spurge plants are blooming with their neon green flowers. (I do have to admit, they are pretty which is why they are now covering the foothills in spots -- pretty plant = landscape plants.

I believe I also pass by a few Glacier Lilies so this may be an interesting hike.

I get to the parking area and only very small patches of snow left. (Yea!) Even the icy bottom of the trail is mostly clean and easy walking. Things are certainly greening up.

It's not long before I see my first Glacier Lily plant poking up through the ground. Just a solo one; I have to walk further down the trail before I start seeing more - including one with its hanging bud.

I also see plenty of Waterleaf and Groundsel plants poking up from the ground.

Soon I find the only blooming Glacier Lily of the whole hike.

Further along, I begin to see Spring Beauties! They are scattered all the way up to the top.

And I find a single buttercup!!

(There are 2 or 3 tiny clusters of them along the rest of the trail.)

Last year I found (for the 1st time) Steer's Head. Since they are very early bloomers, I'm looking really hard for them.

Success!!

I find 3 flowers in one area and that's all (for now).

I'm finding this plant along the drier and sunnier spots. (Saw one bloomer up top last time.)

The upper switchbacks still have snow on the trail. So it's still slippery in spots.

Much of the snow just before the overlook has melted but plenty still remains -- quite the contrary for Grandeur Peak.

Nice view of the city from the overlook.

The new snowfall has the view looking north, looking nice!

I wander up the trail. A bit muddy and still some snow from the other day's rain/snowfall. But the top is much clearer as I can walk to the backside which is where I stop for today.

Time to head down.

The last 25 yards of the trail is still in the sunlight and I manage to scare up a butterfly! Fortunately, he lands near by; it's a Satyr Comma!!

Great ending!

March 18 - Table Mesa Trail and Rocky Mountain Arsenal

Another beautiful morning (a sunny cool 39 degrees) but I need to be at the airport by 11 am so I have to be quick.

I'm up and ready to go before 8am. I've made the decision to go to Table Mesa near Boulder first before heading back to Denver and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Refuge.

Table Mesa is only 15 minutes west (drove past yesterday on my way to/from Boulder) so it's worth a stop so I can hopefully get a better (north looking) view of the Flatirons. Also, today I get the morning sunlight.

The Table Mesa trail is behind the University of Colorado Atmospheric Research (UCAR) building which sits on top of a big flat top hill just south of Boulder.

I drive thru town and reach the entrance to the site -- a big open grassland with the Flatirons ahead; definitely worth a photo stop.

I finish the drive up the hill to the UCAR building. Not many folks out yet this morning (kind of surprised but happy).

A short walk around the UCAR building and I'm at the trail. Lovely views!

The landscape is exactly as yesterday -- Ponderosa Pine and still brown from last Fall.

I don't have time to walk the Mesa Trail but I take the 0.4 miles Interpretive Trail - a little loop. Thought the trail would give me some open views of the Flatirons but unfortunately, only little peaks.

I decide to head downhill on the Mesa Trail (still holding for those views). After a 20+ rocky uneven steps I'm down to the bottom on the hill and walking around it. As I turn north, there's at least 12 deer feeding not far off the trail - quite the surprise.

(Even a couple out for a jog, stopped to look -- it's just never gets old.)

Well, I get around the hill but there are no views of the Flatirons; I'm just too low now. But there are nice views of Boulder!

I head back

up the steps - finding a Yellow Violet trying to bloom.

And make my way back to the parking lot but before heading back to my car, I cross the street to check out the open view.  That's the view I wanted!!

Then back to my car and off the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Refuge. The refuge is approximately 16,000 acres and sits on what used to be the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, a chemical weapons manufacturing facility. It was designated a wildlife refuge in 1992 has of course, gone under extensive environmental cleanup and restoration. It is now home to bison, mule deer, black tail prairie dog, coyote, raptors, ..... It is also home to a Black Footed Ferret recovery program.

I arrive just after 9 am.

And am greeted at the gate by some Prairie Dogs.

Last time I was here (about 7 yrs ago), the Visitors Center was just a trailer. Now it's a wonderful eco-friendly building. Lots of work has also been done to the landscape. All wonderful improvements erasing it's history from sight.

I decide against walking the trails; instead I decide to do the relatively new 11 mile scenic drive.

I set off on the drive and quickly see more Prairie Dogs.

All along the way I can hear Western Meadowlarks

Horned Larks

Red Winged Blackbirds and many other birds singing.

I see several herds of mule deer browsing,

and watch another herd run across the road.

I pass a couple of small lakes -- Mallards on the pond!

I see many birds of prey

including one very large hawk in a tree alongside the road; of course he flies as soon as I roll to a stop.

One stretch of the drive featured lovely mountain views.

Lots of Prairie Dogs and a few rabbits.

I enter/exit a few "Caution Bison areas" but finally find the bison near the end of the loop just after I exit a bison area.

They have around 100 bison here; this one has learned how to escape the fence.

The end of my loop, I meet the first herd of deer I saw again. They are right along the road.

I head back to the Visitor Center and check out the Black Footed Ferret exhibit.

The ferrets do inhabit the site and are doing quite well according to one of the Rangers.

I'd love to continue on a hike but my time is up; time to head off to the airport.

Lovely day!

March 17 - Chautauqua Meadow Trail / Flagstaff Mt (Boulder CO)

In Colorado for just a short time and heading to the Chautauqua National Historic Landmark in Boulder for a short hike and views of the Flatirons (a rock formation that is estimated to be between 290-296 million years).

But I need to get to Boulder first.

For a Friday afternoon around 2pm it's quite a zoo getting down the road to the site (road construction isn't helping the situation either). I finally get there and try the parking lot but it's packed. I exit to the road and continue to head east. There are a few roadside parking spaces but they are on the other side of the road (hopefully they'll be there if I have to turn around).

The road ends in another parking lot (part of Boulder State Park); it too is full. :(

I turn around and head out of the lot seeing 2 orange butterflies flyby . As I leave the lot, I notice that there is a side road going north that heads up the mountain. Many cars are driving up. I don't know where it goes but I just might have to find out later. In the meantime, I head back for one of those roadside spots. I get lucky and find a good spot, head up a few steps and I'm on a trail (Chautauqua Trail) with a wide open view of the meadow and the Flatirons.

Tons of people on the trails -- little ants marching in the distance. I don't have a trail map and I don't have a lot of water so this will be a short hike. I decide to head east to the mountains and the trees - big Ponderosa Pines.

When I finally reach them, the shade feels good. (It's only 70 degrees but at this altitude, the sun is really hot.) Soon I reach a cutoff for the Bluebird-Baird trail which heads up the hill. I continue straight and end up back at that full parking lot at the end of the road. Not all is lost; there's a trail map. (yea) There are many options but I decide to head back to the Bluebird-Baird trail as it holds promise of reaching the Flatirons.

This section of the Bluebird-Baird trail is definitely uphill (with many rocks on the trail) but not too bad (and the good part, there's only a few people on the trail). The landscape is still the dry short grass and Ponderosa Pine. Lots of big pine cones laying on the ground everywhere.

I get peaks of the Flatirons (all 3) occasionally through the trees.

There is plant life: Sumac trees, cactus, Oregon Grape and the surprise find -- Spring Beautys!

And a butterfly -- Hoary Comma!

I reach the Ski Lift -- still going up.

I reach another intersection and I meet the crowd. It's the final uphill stretch to the Flatiron 1 & 2. I only go a bit further

Before it's my time to turn around.

On the way down, I find a blooming Oregon Grape.

And my Hoary Comma again. Then I find Hoary Comma #2!!

I head downhill and back to my car.

Since it's only 3pm I decide to head up that road into Boulder Mt State Park.

The road is windy with some hair pins curves. But the view down to Boulder a pretty nice!

I finally reach my turn around point - Realization Point and find some parking. From here, it's 1/2 mile hike Flagstaff Peak (6850 ft).

There's actually a road that goes to the top but it's closed (still too early in the season). I was going to walk the road but some locals inform me there's a trail up through the meadow so I take it. (They say the trail is more scenic)

Similar landscape as my prior hike. Find more Spring Beauty and non-blooming Oregon Grapes.

I finally reach an intersection. I take a left turn and the trail flattens. It eventually dead ends at an awesome viewpoint of the Ute  Range!

I head back to take the other trail. I head up to the top and Artist Point. The view of the Ute Range from here is a bit blocked by the large Ponderosa Pines weren't in the way. Glad I took that side trail.

On the way down, I decide to take the road - new scenery. I head down to the Nature Center which is of course closed. A little herd of deer is grazing near it - probably 10 animals. The one on top is ready for dinner.

And the rest are below.

I continue down the road and the views are really nice. Even views of the Flatirons!

Great day!

March 15 - Desolation Trail to Salt Lake Overlook) (Millcreek Canyon)

One good thing about the time change on Monday is that the sunsets later and hiking after work can begin. :)

So I'm heading out after work today. It's in the mid-70s and sunny; can't beat that!

Since there's still a lot of snow in the mountains, I'm heading back to hike the Salt Lake Overlook (Desolation Trail); it's been several weeks perhaps the snow will be gone and Spring flowers peeking out of the ground.

The front part of the canyon is now clear of snow but it still remains the further in you get. And my trail head still has plenty of snow -- on the other side of the road, it's clear of snow and the creek is flowing swiftly.

The start of the trail is still extremely icy but I have YakTrak so life it good.

As I head up, the trail is still snow packed and icy in spots but lots of snow has melted. There is definitely more clear trail but still around 85% of the trail is under snow.

I'm looking for any sign of Spring flowers but find nothing yet.

But there are a few squirrels calling.

As I'm still heading up, I run into 2 ladies coming down. They tell me that there's a moose a couple of switchbacks up the trail. Cool! (But I still need to find him.)

Lot's of adventure on the trail today as heavy winds have knocked over several large trees. The first I can crawl under, the other I have go over (no going around because it's on a steep slow).

As I round a corner, I get a bit excited as I see a brown animal heading my direction. My first thought is "There's my moose!" but it's a really small moose ....

only a dog! (Ooops!)

He's at the next downed tree which is easy to get round. It's about here that I realize that I lost my left YakTrak --- hope I find it on my way down.

I'm up yet another switchback and no moose yet.

They said it was on the uphill side of the trail but with the people and dogs going by, he could have moved.

I'm part way down a switchback when a dog comes running toward me but he stops and looks down the hill. I look too and find that moose!!! Hard to see among the trees but he's there!

I move further down the trail hoping to get a better look but the trees only get thicker.

I have to stop because there are 4 people coming down. I mention the moose to them. They're excited. And the next thing one guy says there's a moose coming up the hill just ahead of us! The rest of us turn and sure enough a very stealthy moose has just reached the trail. (We didn't even hear him moving below.) He head off on the trail in the direction that I'm heading - this will be fun!!

At first we think there are 2 moose because the one I saw was 100+ ft behind and I didn't hear anything moving thru the trees. But then we see that dog and figure it's one moose trying to escape the dog.

I continue on following the moose; I don't see him and am being very careful.

Soon there's the final fallen tree across the trail - I go high and around following the already human made path. The moose went around the tree too as I'm still following the tracks.

Finally at the next switchback, he continues straight into the woods and I continue up the trail.

Lot's more snow up near the top!

Finally, the viewpoint is just around the corner!

Lovely view!

I continue up the trail to the top. This part of the trail is snow free as it's in full sunlight.

I do find a Spring flower. Just this one!

And see 5 grey moths. I scare them up as I walk but I could never catch up to one.

Almost to the top, I find moose/elk droppings. (Always thought they were elk but after seeing that moose today, I'm changing my mind.)

At the very top, it's snow covered and there are no signs of human or animal crossing thru the snow.

Time to head back down.

(Note: I do miss that left Yaktrak on the way down; my left foot slips several times on ice but fortunately I catch myself before taking a spill. I never do find it; just assume someone picked it up and used it to make their way down easier.)

Great day!