October 29, 2010
Richard Stevens:
Bryan Ehlmann and I along with any additional interested birders were going to "Walk the Ridge" at Loveland Pass. In reality, this is walking the Continental Divide from Loveland Pass to Interstate 70.
The trek requires good stamina and better timing. We like to do the hike when the trail is snow covered which makes seeing White-tailed Ptarmigan tracks and birds of course easier. Too much snow however, the trek can be too dangerous to attempt.
In the last nine years, conditions have only been good one time. Today we decided by way of a Summit County birder, that there was not enough snow up there yet.
Jerry Petrosky and Jay Bowman wanted to go for Guanella and would have passed on Loveland and the Continental Divide. Therefore, by majority vote, the four of us went up Guanella Pass (Clear Creek County). Access is only from Highway 285 and Grant, CO. The northern approach has been blocked by a rockslide for a couple of years now. According to the Highway Department, access could be closed for 2 or more years.
We were able to drive to the top of the Summit. Winds were strangely calm most of our trip (less than 10 mph). Normally winds are 30+ mph and up to 60+ mph.
Our pleasant hike found two small groups of Ptarmigan. Five birds were 400 yards south of the Rosalie Trail and 603 Trail (and 30 yards west of 603). Another four birds were found around the willows at the lake below the parking area.
On the way back to Denver, we stopped at Pine Valley Ranch Park (Jefferson). We only hiked Buck Gulch trail to the Park Boundary Sign; no American Three-toed Woodpeckers were found. All of us had made this hike many times and were not over eager to see a Three-toed Woodpecker. Therefore, there was no immediate need or desire to hike farther.
The highlight, a Northern Pygmy-Owl was along the creek at 10 yards south (uphill) of the intersection of Buck Gulch Trail and the Strawberry Jack Trail!
Richard Stevens:
Bryan Ehlmann and I along with any additional interested birders were going to "Walk the Ridge" at Loveland Pass. In reality, this is walking the Continental Divide from Loveland Pass to Interstate 70.
The trek requires good stamina and better timing. We like to do the hike when the trail is snow covered which makes seeing White-tailed Ptarmigan tracks and birds of course easier. Too much snow however, the trek can be too dangerous to attempt.
In the last nine years, conditions have only been good one time. Today we decided by way of a Summit County birder, that there was not enough snow up there yet.
Jerry Petrosky and Jay Bowman wanted to go for Guanella and would have passed on Loveland and the Continental Divide. Therefore, by majority vote, the four of us went up Guanella Pass (Clear Creek County). Access is only from Highway 285 and Grant, CO. The northern approach has been blocked by a rockslide for a couple of years now. According to the Highway Department, access could be closed for 2 or more years.
We were able to drive to the top of the Summit. Winds were strangely calm most of our trip (less than 10 mph). Normally winds are 30+ mph and up to 60+ mph.
Our pleasant hike found two small groups of Ptarmigan. Five birds were 400 yards south of the Rosalie Trail and 603 Trail (and 30 yards west of 603). Another four birds were found around the willows at the lake below the parking area.
On the way back to Denver, we stopped at Pine Valley Ranch Park (Jefferson). We only hiked Buck Gulch trail to the Park Boundary Sign; no American Three-toed Woodpeckers were found. All of us had made this hike many times and were not over eager to see a Three-toed Woodpecker. Therefore, there was no immediate need or desire to hike farther.
The highlight, a Northern Pygmy-Owl was along the creek at 10 yards south (uphill) of the intersection of Buck Gulch Trail and the Strawberry Jack Trail!
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