First of all I have to apologize for my comment last night about the trails here being like "super highways." Today, we took Forest Service Roads 503, 504, and 505 that took us over Willow Creek and Rat Creek. I have to say some parts of this trip were very challenging. Slick mud, large rocks, deeps ruts, inclines, water crossings -- we had it all. The road was narrow, but no real high ledges. We made it to the top of the Continental Divide (about 13,000 feet elevation), but it was raining and foggy, so we couldn't see a whole lot. We crossed a beautiful valley.
Tonight, we were treated to a wonderful dinner by Charles at the Antlers Lodge to celebrate Jane's birthday. The restaurant is on the Rio Grand River, but we chose to eat inside because it gets pretty chilly after the sun goes down. Great food, great wine, and even greater friends.
We didn't see any critters today (other than chipmunks and marmots) except for a deer on the side of the road on the way home from dinner. The office did post a notice asking us to bring our bird feeders inside at night because a bear has been coming into the campground at night.
Signs of the old trams on top of the ledge:
I guess this guy was prospecting for gold?
If you're looking for trouble . . . Jane, Charles & Jim
Old mine entrance
Wish I could capture the shimmer of the Aspen leaves
Looking down on the rain and fog:
(Raindrops on the windshield)
Unfortunately, we saw some signs of the beetle infestation that is killing the trees:
Maggie stretching her legs and "smelling the flowers!
Approaching one of the water crossings:
In the stream; looking out the driver-side:
And, thru the passenger side:
Somebody worked hard stacking rocks on top of the big rock:
And, put a piece of metal in the top (with bullet holes)
Loved this view:
Looking down at Creede without as many clouds as yesterday.
Maggie smelling deer "poop"
A side road just outside of town
