It's all about the mountains......

Southwestern Colorado is a jaw-dropping, awe inspiring visual experience.     To see the beauty every morning on my walk makes me so happy and thankful.    This is the panorama that never changes and yet always changes.  

 But today, we were able to go into the heart of the San Juan's and the rugged peaks  surrounding Ouray     The Cobble Creek Hiking Club chose The Portland Mine trail.    The trailhead is at the edge of town and we were soon in a shrub oak and pine forest.    The views were stunning as we climbed

up and up and up.    Elevation gain was 1000 ft and the Overlook area was at 9200'.    It took us about 90 min to go up......that included stops to breathe and take pictures and stay hydrated.

There were a few wildflowers beginning to show their colors.    Above is chokecherry.   They are quite fragrant .    We had a tree when I was growing up and mother made the best chokecherry jam out of the astringent and bitter berries.   We only tasted them ONCE as kids.  

I was thrilled to see the Red Columbine.    It looks much different from it's relative, the state flower but is very impressive among the green.  

Altho the group starts out together, we end up getting spread out but always meet up for snacks.   This was at the Overlook, a view of the amphitheater formation that surrounds Ouray.   Paul is relaxing on the left.    Weather was perfect, in the mid 60's and mostly sunny.  

I hope you can see this message in the dirt.   Coming back down, we came a different way and altho there were directional signs most of the time, our group had concerns about taking the wrong trail.    But we shouldn't have worried.....our intrepid leaders left my name and arrows pointing the way at every fork.  

We hiked about 5 miles and a bit over 3 hours.   I would go back in a minute.    It was a perfect walk !