And the Adventure continues...

 Load 'Em Up & Move 'Em Out!!

Or hold onto one of them on a leash so they don't go running down the road - AGAIN.

 

We outfitted three of the goats with packs before we shouldered our own packs.  The idea is to have the goats carry stuff but being the Maiden Voyage none of us really wanted to risk our stuff going over the side of the mountain or in a creek due to an unruly critter.  So, they carried insignificant things like cans of beer - along with their own supplies (leashes, food, etc.)

 Jim the Goat Wrangler

 

Once we got walking the goats fell right in line and followed us up the trail.  We took turns eatin' dust at the back of the line, making sure no one got too distracted and kept moving.

 



Hummmm - goats and water?

Well, a few walked, a few jumped / splashed and one had to be drug by the horns.

All in all it was a successful crossing.

 



The line-up:

John, Carter & Little the dog, Pam, Ol' Tom, Jim, Tractor, Dolly, Midnight, Daisy

(not pictured - Me and Peanut Butter)

 



Jim was trying to convince Rider to carry his pack.

Rider and his family (not pictured) met up with us on the trail during their day excursion.

 

 

My John what a BIG PACK!!

Isn't that why we brought the goats?  To help carry stuff?

 

Jim and his new "lap dog" Daisy.

 

As not to have a repeat of the first night, a few of the goats were tied.  Being true herd animals, they stayed together in camp.  Again, it rained most of the night.  Huddled in our tent and the goats huddled under the trees, Ol' Tom bleated his protest into the night.  Luckily he's old and didn't vocally complain for too long before succumbing to his dark damp bed with the others.

Pam forgot to tell me that Ol' Tom loves peanut butter almost as much as beer.  Probably why he was so interested in our peanut butter & agave syrup pancake tacos.

 



Carter decorated our camp while the rest of us finished packing up.

A few pictures to greet the next campers.

 



Ol' Tom is not so sure about this packing thing.

Don't worry Buddy, it's all downhill from here!

 



 

I guess Tractor hates the water so much he would rather "tightrope" walk across the fallen log.

 



Back at the trucks, we were greeted by this beautiful moth.
(corrected by Jim - it's a butterfly)

 

I hung a skull I found a few days earlier (when searching for goats).

I hope that it's left there to welcome others to the area.  Unfortunately, I realize that many people will consider it a treasure and take it home to display in their own yards.

 

John and Tractor

Farewell guys and thanks for the adventure!!

 

We had a great time and there were uncountable funny goat things, like hanging out with a bunch of 3 year olds on energy drinks!  I don't know that I will rush out and get goats of my own but I would go camping again.  For the most part they are pretty well behaved and follow well on the trail.  Eyes up when you stop though, they tend to scatter (like 3 yr olds) in search of snacks to eat or rocks to climb. 

 

Happy Goat Packing!!

 

 

Goat Packing?!

August brought unexpected extra time off for me.  I could have sat around and worried about the lack of $$ on my paychecks or I could embrace my new found free time.  I chose to embrace it!!

 

Jim and I did more stuff together and I tried to learn to relax A.K.A. sit on my butt and read a book all day.  We received an invite to go Goat Packing with our friends during that time.  Sure, why not, sounds interesting, entertaining, adventurous ... pick your adjective but you get it.  Two nights of car camping and one night of backpacking was the plan, how could we resist?  Did I mention this would be the Maiden Voyage for the goats?  Yes, they had done a few short hikes but not weighed down and not overnight.

 

So off to the mountains we headed -

4 Adults, 1 Teenager, 1 Dog and 6 (yes 6!) Goats.

 

Sit back and enjoy the antics that would ensue over the next couple days and nights.

Unleash the hoofed beasts!

After a slow drive (You can't haul as* around corners when towing livestock - OK I guess you can but I don't think they would appreciate it.) up to Silverton we stopped for pizza before heading to camp for the night.  The camp we wanted had a livestock pen but it was occupied when we arrived.  So we opted for another site for the night.

 Daisy offered Jim some help with setting up the tent.

Perhaps she was chagrined at his denying her because later that night she tried to climb on top of our tent.

 

Ol' Tom likes beer. 

Yep, he's right by your side when he hears that can crack open and fizz.  So I was wondering if he would like a sip o' wine.  Well, after a literal snootful (right up the nostril!) it dribbled down his lips and he was in heaven.  A few sneezes and a lot of lip lickin' and Ol' Tom became my new best friend.

 

After a fire and a few snootfuls for the adults we turned in for the night.  John was hoping the goats would just hang out in camp.  Kinda bed down for the night and call it good.  No such luck.  They went MIA sometime after midnight.  John quietly drove the road a couple times, more or less making sure they weren't chewing on someone else's camper or tent.  They were no where to be seen in the dark of night.

 

The next morning, the sky barely glowing and the humans without coffee, we went in search of the goats on the lamb.  All six sets of hooves were found, no harm no foul.  Coffee was made, then breakfast, then Jim, Pam and I set off on a hike up the trail we were planning to take the goats up the next day. 

 Jim & Pam

Behind them in the valley below was where we left John and Carter (their daughter) with the goats and dog for the day.  We needed to do a little scouting before the entire herd tackled this trail laden with packs.  Besides, John was hoping to lay claim to the campsite with the livestock pen as soon as it was vacated. 

 

 Jim at the first of three lakes at Highland Mary Lakes.

 

I am always amazed at the display of colors in the high back country. (12,000+ ft)



Forget your tent stakes,John?

Well, he got the new campsite by time had returned.

Another family had joined us for Night 2.  They brought a couple more dogs and two small children.



The ever industrious Rider, spent the better part of the afternoon rerouting the river with small channels.

 

I went about my camp cook duties as usual.  Only this time Chama made sure I didn't wander off, by securely holding my foot in place.  Jim & I aren't real versed in car camping and all the comforts you can bring along.  However, I scored this amazing 3 burner table top stove (thankfully John brought a table) just two days before the trip. 

Pre-yard sale shopping!

 

 Pam was right at home with their stove - complete with a large griddle that covers both burners for optimal cooking surface.

 

Jim entertained the kids by the fire until dinner was ready.

 

We all filled our bellies with warm food against the cooling air.  We circled the fire, roasted marshmallows and assembled s'mores as night fell around us.  We no sooner toasted the last 'mallow and ate the last bite of chocolate and the rain came. 

 

The rain lulled us to sleep with the pitter-patter on the rain fly of the tent.  The goats however, had no shelter.  As the rain continued into the night John donned his coat and shuffled the goats through the darkness and into the shelter of their trailer.  Smaller yet drier they slept without a sound.

 

Next comes actual backpacking with goats...

check back soon!

Grindstone Escape Con't & Finished...

We were only going for an overnight trip so why not go luxuriously.  A little whisky and wine for the night before, a special breakfast the next day, we were in no real hurry to hit the trail, lounging and relaxing were a high priority for this trip.  The trees shaded our tent from the first morning light and the valley provided a false horizon keeping the air cool.  However, once the sun did come out so did the flies.  We hung anything still damp from the night before in the first sunny spots and watched the steam rise off them.  Once all was dry, we packed up to begin our ascent out of the valley.  We would start with a mild ascent for the first couple miles, then climb over 2,500 ft. elevation in just a few more miles.  With the afternoon storms being the only real concern, because we again would pass up and over the treeline completely exposing ourselves to any errant lightening, we didn't want to lolly gag in camp too long.  The flies helped with that motivation!

The Breakfast of Champions!

Better than Wheaties that's for sure.

Tang, Poor man's Mocha (coffee with my special blend of powdered milk, sugar and cocoa powder), Skillet scramble with sausage, potatoes, broccoli, onions, eggs and Parmesan, and corn tortillas.  The body needs good fuel if you expect it to perform at this level.

 

Jim was channeling his inner compass and aligning his pure manly magnetism!

 



With a heart rock in hand, Jim hugs the trees that sheltered us through the storm the day before.  We always like to pay respect to Mother Nature and all she provides for us.  He left the rock between the two trees as a reminder of our love for them.

 



We camped near Bear Creek and hiked along it's east bank up through the valley.  When it came time to cross, we found this beautifully constructed log bridge.  Who knows how old it is but we were grateful for it's help in avoiding soggy socks.

 

Remember those crazy screeching sounds that haunted the night I described in the previous post?

Well, here are the culprits... Newborn Elk!

On our hike up and out of the valley, Jim and I stumbled into the middle of a HUGE herd of elk.  It was attended by 2 bulls (that we saw) and numbered probably around 50.  It was hard to count because of the trees and it spanned both sides of the trail.  There were many ages represented, but once they sensed our presence it was the newborns that screeched with alarm as their mothers moved.  The startled herd moved up the valley and we followed, not because we wanted to but because that was the direction of the trail.  Proceeding with caution, I tried to get a few pictures of these magnificent creatures as we all co-mingled in the woods.

 



This small group of cows, adolescents and babies soon crossed the trail in front of us to join the larger group as they moved away from us.  We stopped hiking for a while to let them get far enough way that everyone felt a bit more comfortable.

 

We hiked to the top of the valley and connected with the trail we had hiked a month earlier.  (The hike that inspired this trip.)  Oh My, What a difference a month makes!  Look at these wildflowers and foliage!  I was trying to get a picture of the grand scheme of the growth, with Jim in the distance.  When I was going through pictures later for this post I realized that I had captured a picture of our little dragon friend from the previous trip! (center right)  Crazy I didn't see him then but the leaves are above his head now.

 

What a stunning array of color and diversity.

 



Descending the saddle and heading towards Taylor Lake for the final stretch, the thunder rolled to remind us to hustle up.

 



Ah!  Icy Beers!

I packed a treat in a cooler and stashed it in the truck before we departed to surprise Jim.  Nothing celebrates a great escape like a couple of cold beers and getting to the truck before the rains came.

 

On our drive back home we were stopped by a couple of begging marmots.  Curious little fellows, I am sure they were only looking for a hand out of trail mix or uneaten goodies from our packs.

 

Thanks for joining our journey.

Remember, if you ever make it out this way we can take you to these places too!

Grindstone Escape Con't...

After lunch the sky opened up on us.  Looking back on most of our hiking / camping adventures I've posted, I realized they are by far almost always sunny fair weather events.  Well, maybe that's because we boast over 330 days of sunshine a year here.  However, is does rain... sometimes.  Monsoon season is here and that brings afternoon thunderstorms to the mountains.  After some quick map consultation and a brief discussion of being above treeline, we opted for the alternative route that would keep us in the trees for the most part of the remaining hours that day.

 

Not always sunshine and happy rainbows,

sometimes it's soggy and sloppy.

 



"ABEL LUCERO 7 13 1923"

We came across old tree markings from the turn of the previous century.  These are common in the high country but not always easy to find.  Left by sheep herders and cattlemen to mark trails, camps and grazing areas.

Funny we were there on 7 11 2014.

 



Rocking W and XX

We saw these brands numerous times through out the area.

 



"LP 8 11 33"

So old the tree had fallen.



 Lazy W Brand

"WALTER JONES"

Jim found this one, hidden behind huge branches that had grown over it from the neighboring tree.

 

Of course rain meant stream crossings.

 



Not sure of the brand

"09"

This one was found near the entrance of the forest by a stream.

 



We knew we were at the half way point when the trails merged and the sign on the left read " Taylor Lake 8 1/2" and the sign on the right read "Taylor Lake 9".  We had just come down from the left and were now turning up the right to head up Bear Valley in search of a camp for the night.



We found a stand of pine trees that actually had dry ground beneath them!  Jim set up the tent in the few minutes the rain subsided and I hung up soppy wet things.  There was a rock fire ring and some logs set up just outside this wonderful treed canopy to sit on.  Judging by the poop, the deer and elk must use this camp to bed down as well.



 

 A sip and a rest!

No sooner was the tent up and secured and the rain came again.

Might as well sit under the dry pine and enjoy the view.

 

Flowers and Hubby

The rain stopped again and I got busy in the "kitchen".  I baked brownies, garlic Parmesan bread and a big pot of pasta. Yum!

 



A happy Hubby with a full belly.

A perfect end to a perfect day.

 

Yes, despite the rain I think it was a perfect day.  We didn't see another person since the mountain biker pedalled by at lunch.  The lightening was a bit intense at times.  In fact, when we first reached camp I was crouching down pulling stuff out of my pack and there was a flash so blinding and a boom so thunderous it rocked my body, I lost my balance and crumpled to the ground.  Shaking, I looked up at Jim with tears in my eyes.  He was standing and laughing.  Being the super logical one, he burst into this diatribe about being in a valley, being low, blah blah blah.  His logic fell on deaf ears.  Truth was I was rocked to my core and scared for the moment.  I just needed another moment to recover and gather my own logical senses.  A few more booms and the storm moved on and I was fine.  We proceeded to filter water, cook dinner and enjoy the fading daylight.  Then night fell and we crawled into the tent...

 

As we lay there reflecting on the day we began hearing the strangest sounds.  A screeching noise that seemed to travel up and down the valley.  First far, then near, then north, then south - almost like a couple of hawks or other birds of prey swooping through the valley calling to one another.  Not owls.  What other nocturnal bird lives here?  Stumped in the dark we lay there and let the sounds fade into the backs of our minds as we replaced them with dreams.

 

Join us for the answer to these mysterious sounds and our final ascent back to the truck in my next post. 

 

To be continued...

 



*My lightening fears should not go unrespected and laughed at.  Lightening kills more people in Colorado every year than any other state (Actually, I think we flip with Alaska for #1 & #2 most years.)  That very weekend on the opposite corner of the state, in Northwest Colorado (Rocky Mountain Park), 2 or 3 people were killed and many more hospitalized due to two seperate lightening strikes.  Yes, logic and education does play a big part in your safety in the backcountry but sometimes it's just plain nerve-racking.

 

Our Grindstone Escape

 Grindstone...

Doesn't that sound relaxing to you?

Ok, maybe not at first but after the last couple months filled with road trips, a wedding, a graduation, family visits and work crammed in between Grindstone was just what Jim and I needed to reconnect.  The idea came about on our trek into the high country to cool off last month.  Often times as we hike we see trail signs and intersections with names that look familiar but we have never had the time to explore.  Such was the case when we stopped for our lunch on the aforementioned outing.  When we arrived home that day I poured over maps and books.  I came up with a loop and an alternative route for bad weather.  I planned out an approximate camping area just over half way. We set it in our minds that the next time I scored two days in a row off we were hitting the trail.  Well, low and behold, the schedule came out on a Wednesday and I had Saturday and Sunday off.  Short notice, but we 're good like that!  Beef in the dehydrator for jerky, bake some quick savory cheddar/pecan energy cookies, mix up breakfast makin's and we were on our way out of civilization bright and early Saturday morning.

 

 ~needless to say but I will anyway... click to enlarge photos~

 

 Driving up to the trail head, the flowers pay their respects the the rising sun.

 

 Columbine - our State flower

 

 Jim with our new found friend from New Jersey and his dog.

On our way up the canyon, we came across him and offered him a ride to the top.  He had driven as far as he could in his car and gladly hopped in the back of our truck for the rest of the trip to the trailhead.

 

 Entire Loop - 17 miles

Well, add in the distance from the trail head to this sign, then the fact that there was a tree downed across the road so we had to hike to the trail head and our "Entire Loop" ended up becoming over 21 miles!

 

 Look at the variety of wild flowers at almost 12,000 ft!!

 

Where's the safety railing?!

I'm calling OSHA.

 

 It's an eerie feeling while hiking a ridge line the way the clouds catch and hover right over you, not to the left or the right but dead center down the ridge line.

 

 Jim disappearing into the sky.

 

 Descending?

Don't be fooled, only a short down then another up - you can see the trail winding up the next climb across the saddle.  Averaging above 12,000 ft for most of the ridge line, we wouldn't dip down and out of the clouds until lunch.

 

 Another stunning Columbine

 

This is where we stopped for lunch, about 6.5 miles into our first day.  The storm clouds along the ridge stayed at bay until we were down.  Stopping for lunch amongst the trees we listened as the thunder rolled around us.  Ahh... the sound of nature letting us know whos' really in charge.  This is also where we saw the last person we would encounter for the next 27 hours.  From here on it was the Jim & Seana Show, no other hiker, biker, hunter, etc.

Let the Real Escape Begin!

 

Check back for the rest of our weekend adventure,

too many pictures for one post.

To Be Continued...