points north

Headed to points north over the holiday weekend, what with Every. Single. National Forest in NM closed to recreation as our fine state remains in the midst of NM's driest period, in recorded history.  Say it with me, Yuck.  So I was anxious to see how La Nina, la hermana mala round these parts, has been treating our good neighbors in Colorado. I hear she has a different reputation up there. ;-)

So I set my sights on the Rio Grande side of the fabled Weminuche, and those high country streams that head up out of the Divide.  And that's all I have to say 'bout that, as I'm sure you will understand.

My goals were simple, if many.

winged ant

doppelganger

Stage a far-ranging hike in, along a Rio Grande feeder's feeder.

Sample as much of the varied water offered, as was humanly possible along the way.

Basecamp near the high country source of the feeder's feeder.

springfed source- one of countless hundreds

double spring- cutthroat in each plunge pool

the valley of life- elk calves,snowbank springs, cutthroat headwaters

  Meet some new friends.

this little guy and his sibling got 'left' behind as the herd spooked on up the canyon

you lookin at me?

near one hundred head that first night

crept within 30 yards before the sentries spotted me

Make a snowball and see some fireworks on the Fourth of July.

 

Ascend the Divide.

check out that snow cornice!

 

 

that ridge was a bit hairy- 1000 foot plunge either side

 

 Oh, and connect with some Rio Grande cutthroat trout in the process.

 

hard day at the office

trail's end

It is indeed a gorgeous world we live in, so get on out there!