Winter in Golden Colorado is especially wonderful after a snowstorm. On this day I took a hike up to White Ranch above the valley and I found this group of frozen trees on my way to the summit. The light was nice even though it was later in the morning. A hike becomes super fun when you come across gems like this.
Morning Breeze in Death Valley
On our last morning in Death valley National Park we sauntered around the salt flat near Badwater which is the lowest point in North America at -282 feet below sea level. The winds were kicking up pretty good and Teig had his fur flowing with the breeze. It was very quiet on this morning and we were on the west side of the valley which only has a rough dirt road with hardly any tourists.
Resting on Green Mountain
Winter snow days on Green Mountain in Golden Colorado are the best. Teig loves hikes in the snow and bluebird days are especially fun for both of us. Can you see Tieg smiling? I definitely can!
Speed on the Trail Snow
Teig loves to run along the trail when we are exploring the Front Range in Colorado. He is running to me on Travois Trail on Centennial Cone near Golden. We spend many of our winter weekend days sauntering these trails.
Teig on the Snowy Trail at North Table Mountain
Trails are snow packed on North Table Mountain much of the time in January. Teig loves the snow and cool conditions on a sunny day in the Front Range Mountains of Colorado. Not to many hikers and the crisp cool landscape is great for exploring!
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.
Traildog Waiting on North Table Mountain
Patience is one of Teig’s greatest strengths. He spends an enormous amount of time on the trail waiting for me as I capture photographs of our adventures and the wonderful landscapes we travel across. He is here patiently waiting for me on North Table Mountain in the middle of January… calmly watching me as I was getting a panorama of the Front Range and Golden Colorado. I love him for that!
Reflective above Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon is one the most spectacular views in America. Looking down into the orange and red banded canyon made me feel inspired with the beauty of nature. This young woman appears to have a similar reaction to viewing the canyon.
Exploring Anasazi Nogales Cliff House Ruins
Nogales Cliff House in the Santa Fe National Forest in northern New Mexico. Our hike led us up a steep hillside to a hamlet of minimally excavated Anasazi Gallina houses as well as a series of garden terraces. The residents of this settlement must have enjoyed their rooms with a view over the Llaves Valley. Teig definitely enjoyed the hike and we had this awesome view along the long forgotten garden terraces to the larger cliff dwellings. It is so exciting to be able to explore the hidden archaeological treasures.
Nogales Cliff House Ruins
Nogales Cliff House in the Santa Fe National Forest in northern New Mexico. It is situated in an alcove formed by sandstone cliffs. This well-preserved ruin is a structure that was probably built around 1,000 A.D. by a Pueblo Indian Group specific to this area called the Gallina Anasazi. It was abandoned some time in the 1,200’s.
Chaco Canyon Pueblo Alto Ruins
Exploring the Pueblo Alta trail on the mesa at Chaco Canyon leads you to a wonderful ruin sitting lonely on the crest of a hill. Pueblo Alto Ruins are the highest ruins in the park and don’t have the pressure of tourists as the others because you have to climb a winding trail up the canyon walls then a couple mile stretch of the legs to the ruins but it is well worth the trip. I made it there in the early afternoon on a beautiful fall day just before Thanksgiving.
Lybrook Badlands Cave
Teig and I spent the day sauntering through one of the unique San Juan Basins Badlands. This citadel formation had a cave into it which was very interesting. I climbed up and peered into it. I was not brave enough to explore to deep for fear of a cave in. It appeared quite fragile but uber cool.
Gold in Lybrook Badlands
Exploring one of the San Juan Basin Badlands near sunset I ventured into a wash a came upon this beautiful scene full of gold color. Lybrook Badlands is a remote location where a person can get away from civilization and explore strange rock formations and study the ancient geologic record. Fossil hunting is fun but I would never keep them but leave them for others to enjoy.
Cruising on the White Sands of New Mexico
A beautiful evening on the White Sands National Monument in southern New Mexico. What a perfect location for a traildog during late fall. The western sunset is awesome in the southwest.
Traildog in the Rio Grande Gorge
Teig and I hiked down Chiflo Trail down into the Rio Grande Gorge in New Mexico. It was fun hike to reach the river at the bottom of the chasm. Exploring the rock formations and the river were so very cool. I love and miss my birth state!
Teig Resting below Jicarita Peak
On our hike up to Jacarita Peak, we had a short layover on the trail above Serpent Lake. The views were amazing on this jaunt up the Sangre de Cristos in northern New Mexico. The aspen leaves were turning to their autumn orange and gold. It was not a bad place to rest and take in the colors.
St. Louis Creek in the Fraser Experimental Forest
We were afforded the opportunity to relax and contemplate our existence next to this waterfall on a hike up St Louis Creek in the Vasquez Wilderness. The exploration of the Colorado Rockies help ground wayward souls. Teig and I are so very lucky to experience this wonderful life.
Calm in the Snow Storm
Out on the trail on Green Mountain during an early snow storm. We love having trails near Denver we can explore when weather comes in. Teig love being out in the storms and loves frolicking in the snow.
St Louis Creek Cascade and Traildog
Teig and I came across this small cascade falls on St. Louis Creek in the Vasquez Wilderness inside the Fraser Experimental Forest. Teig found a spot on the rocks and i shot a long exposure to get the wonderful movement of the water. Just fun in our Colorado Rocky Mountains!
Gold in the Forest Understory
It is very rewarding finding small treasures while hiking next to Saint Louis Creek in the Vasquez Mountain Wilderness. I love getting photos of grand vistas and majestic landscapes but sometimes it’s the gold along the trail that can be uber special. The colors in the Colorado Rockies during autumn are special and it is no different in the mountains near Winter Park.