July 3, 2009
Richard Stevens:
Today, Roger and I hiked up the Spruce Creek Trail in Summit County (south of Breckenridge). Highlights included two Northern Pygmy-Owls, a Flammulated Owl, and a Boreal Owl. It was the 41st time up my favorite hike in Colorado.
Best directions to birds:
We hiked from the lower parking area which is 4 miles north of Mohawk Lakes. If you have a vehicle with very high clearance you can make it to the upper parking area. This cuts off about 2 miles of the hike. We were counting birds and wanted to make the whole trip.
American Three-toed Woodpecker
Right along the trail at 0.2 miles north (downhill) of the upper parking area
White-tailed Ptarmigan
Ninth time I have found them up here. Two were south of Mohawk Lakes about halfway up to the top of the ridge. In my 41 trips, I did not always hike to the top of the three mountains (which I have been on twice each). Pacific Peak is 6 feet short of a 14er. Helen Mt and Crystal Peak form a beautiful box canyon like area. The final two miles of the hike goes along a waterfall and several Mohawk Lakes. Brown trout in lakes. With the full moon, it was a spectacular trip!
Northern Pygmy-Owls
One observed along trail at 0.4 miles below (north) of upper parking area. We bushwhacked some east of the trail and heard two others.
Flammulated Owl
(Second time I have found them, but difficult hike, bushwhacking uphill south of the upper parking area.
Boreal Owl
Thought they were up there and finally heard one. Again difficult bushwhacking trip at 0.35 miles uphill (south) of the upper parking area).
Richard Stevens:
Today, Roger and I hiked up the Spruce Creek Trail in Summit County (south of Breckenridge). Highlights included two Northern Pygmy-Owls, a Flammulated Owl, and a Boreal Owl. It was the 41st time up my favorite hike in Colorado.
Best directions to birds:
We hiked from the lower parking area which is 4 miles north of Mohawk Lakes. If you have a vehicle with very high clearance you can make it to the upper parking area. This cuts off about 2 miles of the hike. We were counting birds and wanted to make the whole trip.
American Three-toed Woodpecker
Right along the trail at 0.2 miles north (downhill) of the upper parking area
White-tailed Ptarmigan
Ninth time I have found them up here. Two were south of Mohawk Lakes about halfway up to the top of the ridge. In my 41 trips, I did not always hike to the top of the three mountains (which I have been on twice each). Pacific Peak is 6 feet short of a 14er. Helen Mt and Crystal Peak form a beautiful box canyon like area. The final two miles of the hike goes along a waterfall and several Mohawk Lakes. Brown trout in lakes. With the full moon, it was a spectacular trip!
Northern Pygmy-Owls
One observed along trail at 0.4 miles below (north) of upper parking area. We bushwhacked some east of the trail and heard two others.
Flammulated Owl
(Second time I have found them, but difficult hike, bushwhacking uphill south of the upper parking area.
Boreal Owl
Thought they were up there and finally heard one. Again difficult bushwhacking trip at 0.35 miles uphill (south) of the upper parking area).
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