Ms Autumn Has Left The Building

It's over. Our first winter storm is currently blowing into Lovely Ouray. As I write this, dismal clouds dangle low, hiding our mountain surround. Wind, rain, sleet and finally horizontal snow is stripping the last vestiges of fall foliage from trees. We knew this day would come, but it doesn't ease the sadness. 

So the following is a photo memorial to fall 2022...long and mild and luscious. A standout among all our hikes this year was Corbett Peak's east facing slopes of aspen groves. Read on for a story about two hikes, one week apart. What a difference 7 days can make...

Photos Of What We've Been Up To, Among "Other Things"

Grand Turk and Sultan Peaks watch over a Sleepy Silver-Mining town and those laid to rest. Below, is how young men used to die in Silverton...

Food For Thought: Reflections On My Own Christmas Card Story and The State Of The Union

One of the many things I love about winter outings is that it keeps me occupied in the present where I belong.

Winter In The High Country: A Lesson In Perseverance and Making Lemonade From Lemons

 "Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face." Victor Hugo

Embracing The Suck

 

Notice Lovely Ouray in the above photo, nestled at the base of our soaring, snowcapped San Juan Mountains. Bobbie and I departed early, before sunrise spilled into La Crevice, for a loop hike that proved a lot more challenging than we thought it would.

The Story Behind Old Horse Thief Trail

It was early morning, about sunup, when Bobbie and I began trading suggestions for our daily hike. A recent spell of dry and mild weather had pushed the snow-line back up to 10,000 feet or so, even more on south facing slopes. We decided to give Old Horse Thief Trail a go...snow or no snow.

There Must Be 50 Ways To "Overlook" Lovely Ouray

 

Some of the finest views lie at the end of difficult climbs. And there's certainly no lack of nearby trails and/or peaks from which one can "overlook" Lovely Ouray....