West Into San Miguel County

July 22-23, 2013

Richard Stevens:

July 22

Today was our first venture in San Miguel County.  We enjoyed a trip up Yankee Boy Basin Road.  Highlights were three Black Swifts and an American Three-toed Woodpecker.

Fox Sparrows were encountered near the Mt Sneffel's trailhead.  Neither of us had any desire to climb the mountain (again, done a dozen years ago).

A Rufous Hummingbird flew about the Sneffels Ghost Town.

Imogene Pass was uneventful.  Two Black Swifts were flying over Bridal Veil Falls when we came to Telluride (San Miguel).

July 23

We spent an interesting and successful day in San Miguel County today.

Black Swifts were seen flying over Ophir Pass Road at two locations. A female and two young Dusky Grouse were found at Ophir.  Broad-tailed, Rufous and a Calliope Hummingbird were also seen here.

One of my favorite detours is to the Alta Ghost Town and Alta Lakes.  Two American Three-toed Woodpeckers were found along the Lake Trail.  After dark, a Boreal Owl was enticed to call back to us!