Dog and I started early, what with a hot day forecast. Sure enough it was cloudless, but here on the east side of the basin, we’ve got the mountain shade early—and a little bit of a breeze kept things about room temperature on our way up to the ridge, where I decided we could climb for a change.
And climb we did. Had plenty of water for Jack, and most of the hike was in shadow. (The sunny spots were a little toasty.) Quite a few birds out early—I figure they didn’t want to have to brave the afternoon heat. Which, by the way, reached 100° (F). (Tomorrow’s supposed to get to 101°, and the day after 102°.)
It’ll be a drought-ravaged year here in the west, but still we’ll go out hiking. (Early.)
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:03 a.m. (8:03 MDT), I hiked about 1,200 feet up a mountain.
It’s that time of spring when things go from kind of warm to hot. Dog and I got to the trailhead early enough to enjoy some cool shade before the sun topped the ridge, but the last half mile was a little toasty. Still not as toasty as this afternoon. Which was not as toasty as tomorrow afternoon is forecast to be.
Still a goodly number of bird species—including a gang of first-year Western Tanagers, a stealthy Cooper’s Hawk, and the usual singing buntings. Although number of singing buntings and towhees was down a bit from yesterday.
We might even head up a little earlier tomorrow, dog and I.
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:24 a.m. (8:24 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
Pretty quiet this calm, lovely morning up along the deer trails. Coolish still, and dry. I wonder each morning why it’s different from the morning before—and the morning before that. They’re all different, sometimes subtly so, and sometimes vastly.
Not nearly as many species today as in recent days. I imagine migration is diminishing apace. (Did hear one bird I couldn’t identify—and couldn’t track down.) Nests are active. Not nearly as much singing going on.
Each day is different, year round. Just as every season is different from the previous year’s. Makes me wonder. And any hike that makes me wonder is a good walk. (Not sure I’ve ever had a bad one.)
Grandeur Peak Area List Beginning at 7:28 a.m. (8:28 MDT), I hiked a few hundred feet up a mountain.
