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....

Close To Home: Random Indian Summer Outings on Trail's "Dexter" and "Perimeter"

 

We don't stop hiking because we grow old, we grow old because we stop hiking...

Oh Danny Boy

 

It's that time of year. High up groves of aspen—now all but bare of leaves—assume a austere stick-figure mood. Old Man Winter lurks just around the corner. Time is of the essence, now, as we try to squeeze as many outings as possible before the snow and blow and the death pall of insipid grayness creeps down mountain. Thus we are motivated, to soak in the last vestiges and muted remnants of color that lingers in and around Lovely Ouray.

Ms Autumn's Last Hurrah: Dwarfed By Aspen—Drenched In Color—Dog-Ass Tired

Fall collapses into winter as I pen this post. Higher up, aspens and oak brush beat a retreat to dormancy. Leaves are fast to lose their grip on color when fall yields to the calendar. Every year, pre-winter winds strip Ms Autumn's golden leaves in a death-spiral, where they lie in rot in the muck of muddy trails. Thus, I am thankful that we caught Ms Autumn at her brightest, wandering in her radiant light, filtered through warm golden hues that never fail to usher joy, a joy to just be outside and alive.

The Two Old Broads and Crash Hike Smack Dab Through Ms Autumn's Palette On Cutler Trail

 "...if I were a bird, I would fly about the Earth seeking successive autumns."  George Eliot