The Wildflower Loop

[miss_montrose]

I run the Wildflower Loop every year.  This year I showed up a month too early...

There was snow. 

And minimal wildflowers. 

The usual plethora of Jacob's Ladder and Columbine was nowhere to be seen.  It's a short growing season above 9,000 feet. 

But it was still a very scenic and peaceful nine miles.  Have a look.

Comments

[ieune]

Wow! What a fabulous loop! The slender, silvery Aspens really shine like polished silver in the mountain air. It made me think of Rivendell or Lothlorien. Your slalom gate bashing comment made me smile--it fits so well and yet only you would have made that associated image. : ) The wildflowrs are pretty too, especially the yellow fritillary. I'm more used to seeing the Snake's Head kind so a bright yellow one was a treat. I particularly liked the photo of the Paintbrush growing out of the rocks--there was something about the composition of that one. I stared at that one for quite a while! : )

I can imagine it would be quite easy to get lost when the trail is covered by snow. I looked but I couldn't pick it out. I guess familiarity helps. ;) The views, though, are just Something Else. I can see why you go and love it so much. As for Stuart's Ridge... Mmm. I confess I spluttered when I read your comment and had a second look at it. LOL But I trust you if you say it's gentle--it would need to be on my old joints!

I do love looking at other people's photos! Thanks for the tour! :D

[miss_montrose]

The paintbrush can be a little mesmerizing, I know. I feel the same way about the Claret Cup Cactus that abound down in the deserts of Southern Utah. I should probably post more photo tours of the places I go--most are as scenic as this. Consider that a resolution. : ) I'm very glad you enjoyed it. These photos were taken in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The next canyon over, Little Cottonwood Canyon, is my Rivendell--I've actually referred to it as that before. I like to play elf in my head every once in a while, though I'm neither tall or blond, hee.

You'd get an initiation in the indoor gym first of course, but you could make it up Stuart's Ridge! My little sis made it up at age 11 or 12, I think, with one tough tug at the crux and she's more Hufflepuff than Gryffindor. ; )