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!
Traildog in Fog at Gross Reservoir
Teig and I were exploring the area around Gross Reservoir in the Front Range above Boulder Colorado during a rainy day in spring. The lake was quiet and we didn’t see another soul as we hiked the rocks and the beaches of the lake. These are some of my favorite times spending moments with my Colorado Traildog.
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.
Summit of La Plata Peak
Tieg is resting at the top of La Plata Peak. La Plata Peak (14,336 ft.) is the fifth-highest summit of the Rocky Mountains of North America and the state of Colorado. La Plata means "silver" in Spanish. This fourteener is located in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness of San Isabel National Forest. It took us a good 5 hours to reach the summit from the less traveled southern route. It was well worth it with these gorgeous views from the top of the world!
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.
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.
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.
Resting on a Colorado Plateau
My Colorado Traildog resting on a flat rock overlooking the backcountry of western Colorado. We love our state and thoroughly enjoy exploring the unsettled areas far removed from civilization.
Teig Sauntering in High Grass
Happy Birthday Teig!!! I love my best photography model and assistant!
Traildog Teig trotting through the high grass in Pike National Forest in the Front Range mountains of Colorado.
Teig in Cave at Valley of Fire State Park
Teig was hanging out in a small cave as I was shooting landscape photographs in the backcountry of Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. I love how patient my boy can be as I am working.
Teig at Treasure Creek
The San Juan Range in Southwest Colorado is some of the most beautiful mountains in the continental United states. They are remote, wild and rugged. For those reasons Teig and I love to saunter into them. We were on Treasure Creek when I took this photo of Teig.
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.
Winter Profile on North Table Mountain
Sometimes a simple photo out on trail captures the essence of a soul.
Teig is Enjoying the Snow
The joy of being a Colorado Traildog on a snow covered Colorado trail.
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!