Over The Divide

12 miles and 3200ft. While accurate, these figures are completely inadequate when describing a late spring hike in the Gunnison National Forest. Wager Gulch offers a variety of terrain and is accessible by both hikers and motorized vehicles since the trail is actually County Road 36, a high-clearance dirt road. The beginning of the trail is lined with blackberries and currant bushes, while forest on either side offers protection from the sun. Bluffs seem to offer good growing conditions for western red columbines.

The trail soon meets with the roaring Wager Gulch creek and crosses it as lupines replace columbines and aspens dominate the forest. Alert hikers might find Chief Snarling Bear in the western rock face.

As the trail continues to climb towards the Continental Divide, a reminder of the season and the altitude can be seen in the form of ice where the west fork of the creek flows across the roadway.

The road exists because of the town of Carson, which in turn existed because of silver deposits in the nearby mountains.  Solitary roadside cabin remains mark the final approach to the townsite, which is a welcome sight after a couple of hours of hiking.

The ruins of Carson lie on private land but are accessible by one more water crossing. The buildings have been protected with modern profiled steel roofing, but upon close inspection it is clear that they have suffered at the hands of casual visitors. The town site's accessibilty by jeep have left it vulnerable to vandalism and the interior of several structures is a depressing sight.

Still, all is not lost. In fact, I like to think of Carson as a decoy in some ways. The real treasure lies on the other side of the Continental Divide and is only found by the curious since, like all true treasures, Old Carson is hidden from view.

Old Carson fell into disuse when the price of silver dropped in 1893, and the Carson that most people know was built when gold was found in the mines adjacent to the 'new' site. Now moose and marmots occupy the area.

There are at least two collapsed / backfilled vertical shafts in the area, and all the usual hazards associated with abandoned buildings, so be extremely cautious if you do decide to explore.

Careful study of the area reveals remains of shoes, many cans and a few fragments of stoneware, all providing clues to the lifestyles of the inhabitants. Mining equipment still remaining includes an intact boiler and winding drum.

The area is littered with prospect holes and tailings, yet there are magnificent views in every direction that offer their own rewards.

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Most of these photos (and many more like them) are available at www.FromTheHighCountry.com, where you can buy prints, view slideshows and create your own favorite list that you can share with friends.

Once In A Lifetime

The phrase "once in a lifetime" has been used a lot recently. Two notable examples are the Diamond Jubilee in the UK, and of course the transit of Venus. I have to admit (and I'm probably in a minority) that I don't have a strong interest in either one. When I think of incredibly rare, special events I think of a chance encounter with deer in the depths of winter, where I sat 6ft from a small herd.

I think of the large herd of bighorn sheep that were enjoying the early spring weather when I happened to have my longest (and heaviest) lens with me. My once in a lifetime events happen much closer to home, or at least much closer to me.

An unexpected discovery can make a life-long memory (for me, at least) far more meaningful than a long-planned event. Once again, it is the little things that matter, and I can think of no better way to spend my days than photographing them.

Images in this post can be found here.

Hidden Depths

Thousands of people visit the high country each year to enjoy the natural beauty of the wilderness and the architecture of former mining towns. Roads such as the Million Dollar Highway and the Silver Thread Scenic Byway offer stunning views, and there are many ATV trails to explore, but I can't think of a better way to experience Colorado than on foot.

Hiking allows the backcountry to be viewed at a slower place, which means that the rich details of a landscape are not missed. Instead of an alpine meadow, the intricate composition of an individual bloom can be seen. Instead of a ghost town, the axe marks of the original builder can be studied.

Such 'little things' are the fabric of our world.

In The Wilderness

Living in the mountains is quite an experience, but it is no substitute for spending time deep in the wilderness. Spring is a time of rapid change, and each week new shoots and flowers can be found (in my own yard, the seeds I've sown are beginning to germinate and sprout).

One nearby trail begins with a steep ascent through relatively heavy tree cover, which follows an old jeep trail. Moist ground and protection from intense sunlight allows some plants to thrive.

Oregon grape is quite distinctive and can often be found alongside wild strawberries in the leaf litter. Its purple berries are sometimes used in jams, and the crushed plant has been used for healing of wounds, although some sources suggest it can be poisonous in large doses.

The tree cover fades to give views of the valley floor below. Lupines and gooseberry bushes flourish on the exposed hillside, but the view is soon left behind as the trail follows a bend into a huge aspen stand, where fungi can be found in abundance later in the summer.

The trail is unrelentingly steep, but the natural world has a way of providing incredible sights an smells at every turn. Creeping junipers add fragrance to the forest, while translucent young aspen leaves shimmer in the sunlight.

Barren, rocky slopes are a sure sign that the end of the trail is nearby. After a final ascent, a collapsing cabin marks draws the visitor to an idyllic lake. Sheltered by tall trees and a nearby peak, the 12,000ft high lake is still partially covered in ice, while patches of snow are scattered between nearby trees.

Videos of the lake can be found here and here.

It is a perfect place to spend an afternoon in the Uncompaghre Wilderness. You can view several more images of the lake and the trail in my gallery.

Old Habits

The best and the worst part about working for myself is that I am entirely in charge of my own destiny. I wouldn't have it any other way, but after many years of working for others I am still learning to structure my days. Since I brought many dreams with me when I first came to the mountains, I'm still trying to find time for all of them.

Small town life required some changes for me. I'm analytical by nature and am quite happy in my own company. In a city, we can be just faces in a crowd, but in a small town there are no strangers. I like the change, but I have to admit that it does require some adjustment!

Photography seems to come naturally for me. I never tire of it, and will never run out of subjects here in the Rockies. Running a business, however, involves a learning curve. Marketing is a somewhat foreign, almost distasteful topic, but I have to master it if I am going to be able to continue to work in photography for many years to come. On that subject, I'm pleased to announce that I'll have gallery space for the first time this year! I feel like I'm fumbling in the dark but this year will bring useful learning experiences.

Everything is flourishing in the mountains, and if the high elevation snow has melted enough I'll be spending a lot of time hiking over the next few weeks. I hope to be able to bring you some great new images. If you've been considering making a purchase from FTHC you'll be pleased to know that you can use the 20FOR200 coupon code to get a 20% discount until next Sunday evening. This sale is to celebrate 200 likes on the FTHC Facebook page.

Spring Cleaning

Spring in the mountains is a time of rapid change. Every walk (or run) is a chance to see new scenery. Despite little rain or meltwater, the local flora and fauna appear to be thriving.

 If I can learn anything from the natural world, it is patience. As I continue to be busier than I could have imagined, I have to remember to prioritize and remember that, like the seeds I've sown this week, building a new life takes much longer than three months.

Since there are so many things to do, and time is a fixed commodity, it is good to review the ways in which I spend precious time. If I find that something (whether it be a business strategy or a part of a daily routine) no longer works or is not worth the cost, then I have to be objective enough to recognize it and jettison it. At the moment, the FTHC presence on a certain social networking site seems to fall into that category. I'll be sure to let you know of any long-term changes in the next post.

In our lives, we must not be afraid to try something new, even if (or especially because) it is a little out of character. Similarly, we must be bold enough to discard those things that do not work for us, even if it means breaking a long-held habit. Wasting time and creative energy is one of the worst things we can do for ourselves.

Dawn To Dusk

I can think of no better reason to wake up before dawn than to be on a mountain trail as the sun rises. An early morning frost only enhances the scenery as the sun rises over a nearby ridge. Rabbits dart across the trail, while deer watch warily from a distance before walking briskly away. As the sagebrush fades away, the path is covered in a carpet of orange aspen leaves and pine needles, and the sky is clearly visible through bare trees.

At 9500ft there is evidence of very recent snowfall, while at 10000ft and above last season's snow still lies at depths up to 2ft, which makes travel difficult and obscures the trail ahead. Even so, wild buttercups and strawberries, oregon grape and more are all coming to life once more. Chipmunks and small birds inhabit the coniferous trees, and grouse can be found among the aspen.

At 11000ft the trees become sparse and those that remain are prime targets for lightning and avalanches  from nearby peaks (still laden with snow). Above the trees the whole valley below can be seen, and a boulder makes a great place to sit and appreciate the surroundings. Everything else fades away up here. This is why I came to the mountains.