As usual, I didn’t intend to hike the Pipeline Trail Ridge this morning—it just worked out that way. Very quiet early on, but the cool shade of Coyote Canyon felt good, so Jack and I moseyed on up the valley.
Even in deep summer, an early hike doesn’t feel real hot around here. Stretches of sun, stretches of tree (or mountain) shade, hints of birds flitting around in the greenery. Spied a solitary vireo (a Warbling Vireo, not to be confused with the old name for a Blue-headed Vireo), a young Cooper’s, a nuthatch—even a random Black-throated Gray Warbler zipping up and over the ridge.
This hike reaches about 6,500 feet, covers about three-and-a-half miles, and takes about two-and-a-half hours. Still, Jack and I were little the worse for wear at the end of it.
Gonna sleep well tonight, though.
Grandeur Peak Area List
Beginning at 8 a.m., I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
1. Mourning Dove*
2. Black-chinned Hummingbird
3. Lazuli Bunting
4. Black-capped Chickadee
5. House Finch**
6. Lesser Goldfinch**
7. Spotted Towhee
8. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
9. Cooper’s Hawk
10. Broad-tailed Hummingbird
11. Warbling Vireo
12. Chipping Sparrow (v)
13. Red-breasted Nuthatch
14. Black-throated Gray Warbler
Elsewhere
15. Eurasian Collared Dove
16. Swallow (sp.)
Mammals
Red Squirrel
Mountain Cottontail
Reptiles
Desert Side-blotched Lizard
(v) Voice only
*Also elsewhere
**Voice only elsewhere
Tags: black-capped chickadee, black-chinned hummingbird, black-throated gray warbler, blue-gray gnatcatcher, broad-tailed hummingbird, chipping sparrow, cooper's hawk, desert side-blotched lizard, Eurasian collared dove, house finch, lazuli bunting, lesser goldfinch, mountain cottontail, mourning dove, red squirrel, red-breasted nuthatch, spotted towhee, swallow (sp), warbling vireo
