No matter the time of year, there is never a shortage to things to sink your eyes into around Lovely Ouray.
A second hike with our guest, Dehui, required only walking out the front door. Oak Creek Trail is a favorite, especially in winter. It is south-facing and collects good solar exposure as well as protective from the prevailing breeze out of the north. We love that it is steep, too, enough to get our cardio in without running. Snow makes it more challenging, but also more interesting. Bobbie and I seem to be the only ones in town to use it during winter so we try to keep the trail grooved and packed enough hike it without snowshoes.
This year we forged beyond where we normally turn around, wading snow over my gators and nearly up to Bobbies waist. Now Oak Creek Trail is accessible another half mile beyond previous years. It wanders woods, and it's not uncommon to stumble across Big Horn Sheep. It's quiet, too, a good place to escape the "noise."
We took the long way home and showed Dehui the Ice Park. Ice Climbers descend on Lovely Ouray from all over the world to compete and play on our home turf. The main Ice Fest starts this week. Town will be crazy, but it's good for the merchants and eateries.
OH MAN, like we tell our friends here California, "if you can't get to Switzerland it's just a day and a half drive to Ouray." Love the winter scenes Mark ,wish we were there and actually we are thinking about coming for a short stay at Christmas next year, if we don't chicken out.
ReplyDeleteOh man! Something about today's photos is just spectacular!! Love the tree shots especially! You are so blessed to live in such wonder but yet be able to escape it too. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWinter wonderland, oh ya. We`re thinking of you both as we bask here in Lake Havasu City on our way to Quartzite.
ReplyDeleteSimply amazing. We're getting our first real snow of the year here in Michigan last night and today...and it's beautiful. But your mountains make it extraordinary.
ReplyDeleteFANTASTIC PHOTOS!!!! Words cannot give your photos justice today. If you are having to spend a winter with snow, your area is the place to spend it. I remember when -35° out there felt a lot warmer than my 10° here in the "tropics" of Southern Indiana.
ReplyDeleteYou make it look so easy and inviting!
ReplyDeleteGreat.
ReplyDeleteBreathtakingly gorgeous! In fact having trouble breathing just looking and can't stop the violent shivering. Those climbers are really crazy. Thanks for going there and sharing. I'm with Ed, ready to head south to Q.
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