The Crags...A Hike with Everything!

Garden of the Gods RVC Outdoor Destinations
Colorado Springs, CO
July 8, 2014

The following description sure sparked our interest...

"Sometimes rocks erode vertically into colossal collections of cusps, ready to take a bite out of any clouds that venture too close to the earth..."


Just south of Divide, CO (about 27 miles from our site) this kind of rock formation is called The Crags. Our morning (July 8) was planned!

This is me...what an awesome place!

Storms were predicted for the area so we were off to an early start. When we arrived at the trailhead, it was a bit chilly...like 52F chilly with the sun behind thick clouds. But after about a 630 ft. elevation climb, the sun was shining and it sure felt good!






But first, back at the beginning...right from the get-go, I knew this was going to be a great day. The smell of the forest filled the air and Rocky Mountain Columbine was in full bloom. As luck would have it, the sun poked out just long enough to get a few pictures of this beautiful flower. Last year, Joe's favorite was the dainty Mountain Harebell. This year, the Columbine wins out!

The only big climb is the first little bit...maybe 4 tight switchbacks...thru a forest of pine and spruce. There is evidence of a fire maybe 5 to 6 years ago...but I chose to see the new saplings and wildflowers.



The narrow trail winds up a mountain in Pike National Forest.

 

 

 From the beginning, the trail hugs Four Mile Creek. As we climbed, we lost site of it, but we could hear it most of the way.

Crossing Four Mile Creek at the beginning of the trail...

 

 

 

 

Then the trail opened up...a wide-open grassy meadow, with a smaller Four Mile Creek, aspens, wildflowers, butterflies and rock outcroppings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wish photos could show the breeze blowing thru the aspens. I love watching the leaves dance. We could actually hear them dancing...the fluttering sounds like soft clapping.   

Aspen leaves

 

We saw a nice variety of wildflowers...

Alpine Mertensia Flowers

Dusky Beardtongue Flowers

Alpine Yarrow Plant

Shooting Star Flowers

Bistort Flower

Yellow Stonecrop

There are a kazillion different kinds of white butterflies in the Rocky Mountains...I couldn't make a positive ID.

And did I mention rock outcroppings?

 And aren't these trees absolutely beautiful?

The Crags...(my sunshield busted and I haven't replaced it.)

Before we knew it, it was time to head back...even though the sky was blue, we saw dark gray clouds in the distance.

We hiked 5 miles round trip...an in and out trail.

We all agreed this was one of our favorite hikes.





















If you are ever in this area and hiking is in your plans, you might want to check out www.cospringstrails.com.

So,until next time,

happy trails from Colorado Springs!

On the way home, just out of Divide, CO...the clouds were rolling in fast. Quite a thunderstorm too.

Clark's Nutcracker...Mount Herman Road

Garden of the Gods RVC Outdoor Destinations
Colorado Springs, CO
July 3, 2014


After doing my homework using my new The Sibley Guide to Birds and google, I concluded that I photographed a Clark's Nutcracker. The coloring, bill, size, habitat, and loud fussing noises helped in my decision. The one confusing factor is what they eat...mainly seed.

 Even though their diet is mainly seeds, I did read they are omnivorous...flies must have been a real catch for the day!

We saw two of these beauties...actually we heard them before we spotted them...carrying on quite a conversation. When it was time for us to go, they were both in the pine tree below. I hope they resolved whatever the issue seemed to be and their day ended on a nicer note!

This was a first sighting of the Clark's Nutcracker for me.







We had stopped on Mount Herman Road...a very nice gravel off-highway road when we saw them. 




We also ordered another book...Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails by Charles A. Wells. Unlike the Moab edition, this guide covers all of Colorado. There are 16 trails listed for the Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Pikes Peak Region. Twelve of those are rated easy and moderate. Our pick for the day was Mt. Herman Road, Rampart Range...one of the easy trails about 36 miles in length.

As I was looking back in the book for a reference to post about the ride, I saw two pictures I had taken that were also in the guide. The picture below is one of them. The description under the picture in the guide states...

Mt. Herman as it climbs out of Monument.

Winding our way up Mount Herman...

The Noses

Not in the guide was a picture of rocks
we dubbed...The Noses!

This was  the stopping spot at the top of Mt. Herman where I photographed the Clark's Nutcrackers.  And below is the other picture included in the guide.

The guide stated...Mt. Herman Road is smoother at the top.
The road was smoother, but I was more interested in the rock.

There is a crack there you know...

I had read about the butterflies on Mt. Herman. We were not disappointed as they flew along with us on the trail...big and little, orange, yellow and white ones fluttering all around. They were enjoying the wildflowers and gorgeous day as much as we were! 

We did learn a valuable lesson on this trail. It is best to call BLM and check on the road conditions and closings before heading out.

When we reached the turn to enter Rampart Range Road, which would have taken us to Garden of the Gods, it was closed. The picture below shows remnants of fires from last year and the road hasn't been reopened.

Back track it was...but that didn't really matter. It all looked different anyway!

 

 

 

Until next time,

happy trails from Colorado Springs!