On our way to the summit of Mount Democrat (14,155 ft), we met this guy hanging out in the rocks checking out the hikers. It is always fun to run into these goats above treeline on the way to the summit of a fourteener. Quick Fact: they are not a native species to Colorado and are descendants of transplants from the Rockies north of Colorado for game hunters in the 1940's.
Mutual Respect
When traversing the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, we inevitably will cross the path of some open range cattle. Teig does get a bit excited when he sees cows who notice him. On this day we were above Buena Vista and there were quite a few of them on the ridges feeding. This cow and her calf watched as we approached. Teig barked once then just stared at her and her calf. They pondered each other for a couple of minutes and then Teig continued on… I guess there was mutual respect and no further contact was required.
Autumn Colors at Weston Pass
One of my favorite 4x4 roads is Weston Pass outside of Leadville Colorado. Coming from the Arkansas River Valley up to the top of the Mosquito Range is quite the visual experience especially when the colors are changing in fall. This view was mine late in the afternoon as I looked back towards the Collegiate Mountain Range with Big Union Creek winding down the valley.