Water and Ice

The high country is trying to hold on to its last bit of warmth for the year. Ice is forming at the sides of the river, but the flow is still strong with the melting of last week's snow. Nature's attempt to turn toward winter was rebuffed for a time. While most everything looks ready for the winter slumber, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a harebell, still blooming when the calendar is about to turn to the month of November.

Eldorado

Although the big hikes to the high country are over for a little while, October is the perfect time to explore all the lower hikes around Boulder. Today we headed out the Ashram trail and into Eldorado State Park for a short hike. Chinook winds were funneling through the old railroad rockcuts making forward progress difficult at times. The views of the sheer cliffs, adorned with tiny climbers, equal Yosemite Valley. The cottonwoods lining the creek are full of autumn leaves, giving the early morning canyon a golden glow.