It is wonderful to explore the 4X4 backcountry roads in the Colorado Rockies on a beautiful crisp autumn morning in mid-September. Awesome gold and orange colored aspens can cross your path at any turn.
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.
Sunny Morning on Mountain Backcountry Road
Traildog Teig was resting on a backcountry road in the morning sun before we hopped into the truck and headed further into the Buffalo Peak Wilderness of Central Colorado. He can be so patient while waiting for me to pack up.
Paws in Bear Creek
Teig cooling off in one of the beautiful creeks in the Mount Evans Wilderness in the Colorado Rockies. What is better than an icy Colorado creek to refresh a hiker and his pup… not much! It is a great time to capture a moment with my camera and enjoy nature with my traildog.
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.
Colorado Backcountry Road in Autumn
A taste of what it is like to tour the backcountry of Colorado when the aspens are changing their colors to orange and gold. This is a dirt road in central Colorado near Buena Vista.