Earlier this week, in between the much-appreciated & simultaneously disagreeable-to-hiking rain storms, I took my dogs out for a wildflower sight-seeing hike. We went to a close, common hike for us, Spring Creek Archaeological District. It is part of the San Juan National Forest(and 10,000's of acres), near Navajo Lake Colorado State Park & ~25 miles west of Chimney Rock National Monument. Thanks Obama! He signed the Legislation making Chimney Rock, a sacred Native American celestial/astronomical/ceremonial site, into a National Monument a few years ago.
Climb up the mountain, and step over the orange pile of petals to see lots more wildflower pictures.
With limited exceptions, I'll leave you to enjoy the multitude of gorgeous wildflowers now blooming without commentary.
I call this a 'horny toad'. It's probably a small 'Great Horned Lizard'-see? wildlife, too! It's maybe 2-3" long
I actually know this one: Indian Paintbrush
An uncommon sight: moss in the high desert
More horny wildlife--a different lizard, a mile away from the first one
If you happened to look up towards the San Juan Mountains to the northwest, you'd see this:
Durango sits at the left side of the pic, at the base of the mountains--but you can't see it as it is tucked in a valley. Looks like it's snowing there...it's most certainly snowing on the peaks & passes, while it was 60 degrees & mostly sunny where we were hiking. In the foreground you can see the type of terrain & vegetation the pics were taken. Those mountains are ~50 miles from where I was standing
And I couldn't post a hiking/photo diary and not include my bestest hiking buddies!
My best friend, Fletcher. He's large & in charge--but just chillin in the flowers here. Both dogs are sportin their wildlife bells on their collars--it's that time of year...
And his very faithful minion/girlfriend/little sister/running & sniffin buddy, Lil Chris
***********************
I hope you enjoyed our afternoon outdoors, putzin around the high desert woods & chaparral. I know Fletch & lil Chris sure did! Me too, me too.
Spring Creek Archeological District: https://en.wikipedia.org/...
"Spring Creek Archaeological District, also known as Zabel Canyon Indian Ruins, is located in the San Juan National Forest. The site was inhabited from 300 BC through the times Ancient Pueblo People lived in southwestern Colorado through the protohistoric periods of the Ute, Apache and Navajo ranged and lived in the area. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983" It is now entirely in Southern Ute Tribal Territory, the Navajo & Apache haven't been around(as a tribe) in a long, long time.
See ya out on the trail!