Autumn colors abound in late September in the high country of Colorado. Teig loves hikes under the canopy of gold colored aspens. He even looks stately in grass field between those aspens.
Quality Time on Medicine Bow Peak
What better quality time than relaxing on the summit of Medicine Bow Peak in the Snowy Range of Wyoming? I bet this couple has a very strong relationship since they worked together to reach the highest point in the Snowy Range!
Scouting Wild Trout at Ptarmigan Lake
First thing Teig does when we get to the end of the hike to Ptarmigan Lake in the Sawatch Range of Colorado is get knee deep in the chilly lake and search for trout. I fly-fish periodically and he knows that if he searches for rising fish might mean a trout dinner at the end of the day. Unfortunately on this day, fishing was not on the agenda… but he does not care and will scout for those trout anyway.
Tiny Island in Ptarmigan Pond
A beautiful hike up to Ptarmigan Lake afforded us this awesome view. This pond was near the lake and Teig was checking out the little grass island. Exploring the Sawatch Range in the Colorado Rockies is so much fun especially when there is still snow on the ground and very few hikers.
Resting in the Shaded Grass
Teig resting on a nice hike up Little Beaver Creek in the Front Range of Colorado. We will find shade under a tree to rest and have a snack. We were almost done with our hike this day and he was definitely enjoying the shade and soft grass.
Teig Among Bison Peak's Red Boulders
Teig is still looking and acting great as an eleven year old pup. We hiked 6 miles and 2,500 foot vertical ascent up to Bison Peak in the Lost Creek Wilderness and played in the beautiful red boulder field at the summit. We then hiked the 6 miles back down to Lost Park and he never showed signs of slowing down. He is a Trail Dog through and through!
Resting in a Continental Divide Alpine Meadow
How about resting in an alpine meadow off the Continental Divide in the Colorado Rockies? Well Teig was doing just that on a hike to Skyscrapper Peak. This does relax the soul.
James Peak and the Alpine Lake
Teig checking out the snow and James Peak Lake from a ridge in Colorado's James Peak Wilderness. We hiked Kingston Peak on this day and enjoyed the early summer conditions with the snow covering much of the alpine terrain.
Standing in Browns Lake
Teig resting his paws in Browns Lake high in the Cache La Poudre Wilderness north of Rocky Mountain National Park. Trekking back to this lake from the valley below was worth the hike. The gorgeous cirque with alpine ridges sits above the lake and is not overly visited by hikers. I would consider this location a nice place in the Colorado Rockies to get away from the crowds. It is approximately a 4.5 mile hike in to reach the lake.
Water Spouts on Mountain Stream
St. Louis Creek in Fraser Experimental Forest outside of Winter Park Colorado. I found this cool waterscape a ways up the old road which is now used as a trail for hikers and mountain bikers to ascend the mountains to St. Louis Lake. I love the water spouts shooting out of the corrugated pipe.
Wet Weather Confronts Traildog at Lake
Stormy spring day hiking at Gross Reservoir in the Front Range of Colorado. Teig was soaked but having a blast playing in the sand a rocks around the lake and no other folks around.
Playing in Harney Peak Fire Tower Reservoir
The Harney Peak Fire Tower was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1935 to 1938. Stones gathered from French Creek were used to construct the tower. All of the building materials were hauled by man and mule along the three mile trail to the summit of Harney Peak.
The lookout tower, dam, pump house and stairway were constructed upon the highpoint. The reservoir created by the dam supplied water to the living quarters which were located in the lower level of the Harney Peak Fire Tower. Harney Peak Fire Tower was staffed until 1965 by the U.S. Forest Service, and then for the following two years by Custer State Park. A watchful eye was placed across the surrounding Black Hills looking for smoke rising from a forest fire.
Traildog Resting at Geneva Mountain Pond
Teig found a nice snow patch to get cooled off on our hike up to Geneva Mountain near Guanella Pass. We adore our alpine hikes and can’t wait for the snow to recede and get up above the tree line. I believe this environment is the best for hiking. It affords us fantastic views of the peaks and valleys and fills our souls.
Teig and Mount Bierstadt
Teig and I were sauntering up to Square Top Lakes above Guanella Pass when I got this portrait of him with Mount Bierstadt in the background. Bierstadt is one of the 14ers in the Front Range Mountains of Colorado. There were only a few hikers going up Bierstadt on this day because it was the first day the road to the pass was open after spring.
Barren Tree at Apex Pass
There are many unique details that you can find while exploring in the Front Range Mountains of Colorado. I was intrigued by this long dead tree near the tree-line that had a very cool texture with the white capped Rocky Mountain peaks in the background. We are so very blessed to be able to get up to these remote places to experience this.
Raven in Winter above Redrocks”
Teig and I were exploring Mount Falcon outside of Morrison Colorado during a snowstorm when I captured this shot looking back to Redrocks Amphitheater. The raven in the tree was so interesting and I think he makes the composition.
Snow Play on Strawberry Jack Trail
There is always time to play in the snow while you are sauntering about in the Rocky Mountains. Teig found his moment on Strawberry Jack Trail near Pine, Colorado to get a good roll in the snow on the trail. He makes me laugh out loud when he goes this.
Golden then Denver from Mount Galbraith
A winter landscape view while hiking Mount Galbraith above Golden Colorado. The Denver skyline can be seen in the far distance. Mount Galbraith is one the most popular Jefferson County trails near Golden. Hundreds of hikers frequent it on the weekends. Best time to hit this trail is during the week.
Traildog Sauntering to Fisher Towers
It was a fantastic view hiking up to Fisher Towers outside of Moab, Utah. The Fisher Towers contains layers of sedimentary rock in various shades of red-brown, red-purple, and maroon. The colors are a result of varying amounts of hematite (an iron oxide).
Red Sandstone Formation at Valley of Fire
Teig and I were exploring off-trail in the Valley of fire State Park in Southern Nevada. The red rock formations are beautiful even in full winter sun. The bright red Aztec sandstone is from the Jurassic period and is the remnant of the sand left behind by the wind after inland seas subsided and the land rose.