Journey to Rock Creek

I love the morning light on the mountains as we drop down into the valley.

I also like being short enough to walk under most of the downed trees!

Morning light glow.

And the trail becomes very rocky.

I should count how many times I take photos of this one type of flower.

Patches of snow!
Kind of surprise they are still around.

I liked this window view of the mountains between the trees.

So nice of the trail crew to put in this sidewalk.  Ha ha!

The clouds grew to be amazing.

This look like the eye of Sauron without the eye.  Looking out over Middle Earth.

Funny how another side of the same tree can look so different.

More pictures of beautiful clouds.
Just hoping no storms hit us.
And no lightning or new forest fires.

Len pointed out the pretty flowers by this creek.

This is a wider view of the same area.

This guy came running towards us.  Arms flailing.  He said there were too many rocks and there didnt use to be so many rocks 40 years ago.  We wondered what the racquet is for....

Nothing like power lines to make you feel like you are in the wilderness.

Somebody put their CT hand saw to use!  Ha ha!  

Another pretty stream.

And we reach the end of the segment.  This is where Len heads home.

There were other hikers resting in the shade.  A guy offered us food his brother (a hiker) wasnt going to use.  He offered  half eaten bar.  His daughter offered half empty water bottles.  Ummm...no.  then he opened hi trunk and showed us this huge box of food.  We all took a few things.  The guy then agreed to give Len a ride to Leadville.

I hiked on and came across this waterfall.  How did I miss this last time?

More water pics.

I had to cross this road and then the trail continues to go up.

Entering the Mount Massive wilderness.

I thought this was pretty.

And I thought this was cool
Only the roots remain.

These trees look like they came out of the Wizard of Oz movie.

Well this is a different trail marker.

I made it to Rock creek and so did the couple I met at the trailhead.  Nice kids.  Songbird and White Toes.  Nomad beat us all there and greeted me when I arrived.  Two other gals were there and I think others arrived after I went to bed.
Songbird's great grandpa was in the 10th Mountain division so she was thrilled to visit the camp hale site.

Hiking to Porcupine Lake

The next morning was beautiful.
The sun shining on the mountains was so striking.  One of the hostel guests offered me a ride.  I thanked him and said I'm only going 3 blocks.  He wished m well on my journey.

I didnt notice the train depot and train the day before in the rain.

This home has mannequins in the upstairs window.  I was told it is a bed and breakfast.
Hmmm weird enough to make me want to stay there.

I had breakfast at the local coffee house.  A nice place with good coffee and a great selection of items.

Saw this in one of the windows.
Girls rock!

We went to the segment 9 trailhead and met these gals who finished a hike with these dogs.  I think she said it was 22 miles.  The poor german shepherd could barely use his back legs.  I felt sorry for him.

The trail starts out easy enough.
Flat.

 Bridge out?
Will we need to use our water shoes?

Nope.
This new bridge made an easy crossing.

This bridge is older but the trail approach up to it and off the other side are redone.

This giant dog is a Turkish Shepherd.  Enormous! 

We stopped for a break and this little guy caught my attention.
I hope he can grow big and not be affected by the beetles.

Len's paintball canister for Ritz crackers.

No more smooth trail.
Hello rocks!

Storm clouds growing.

I noticed there weren't many wildflowers along this route.  Not like last year.  Everything looked really dry too.

Wilted looking.

Entering the wilderness.
You are supposed to register.

Thre were no blank forms.

There was this rock.
We both agreed on a new rule...
Absolutely NO loving yourself on the trail or in camp.

Even without the wildflowers the view was beautiful.

Wow.
Beautiful mountains.

We crossed a creek and there were these little fish.

These flowers appreciated the creek water.  So many bluebells!

These are big rocks.
Big.

And when you cross water,
You go up.

We reached the top and awarded with a view.

There are wildflowers up here!

It was just a short hike then to Porcupine Lake.

The temp was not too hot.

Rain clouds building.

The lily "swamp" next to the lake/pond.

Reflections on Porcupine Lake.

While getting water I noticed these black swimming things.  Len said they are leeches.  I have never seen leeches.  Ewwww!
There were so many everywhere. 
I will now call it Leech Lake.

This is looking in the other direction on the lake.

We arrived first so had the choice pick of sites.  Three gals arrived a little later.  I helped them get their tents up when the rain started.

Interesting way to make a campfire ring.  NO fire for us.

Len brought a chair and then didnt sit in it.  I mentioned this.  He did move.

After camp was set up I went out to meet the new couple that showed up.  The gal was taking pics.  I couldn't resist taking pics too.
The sun shining on these Indian paintbrush flowers is stunning.

The pink ones are pretty too.

These little red and white flowers look like candy.

Love the burgundy color.

We met the couple, Scott and Kendra.  Nice kids.  I'm hoping to run into them later on the trail.

This cloud looks like a tornado or an alien spaceship will be dropping down soon.

These little purple daisies are everywhere.

So are the mosquitoes.
Everywhere.

Ummm...ewww.
Beef stroganoff looks awful before it is stirred.

Dr. Pepper jelly beans.

The crack in the log is perfect for holding them.

I wonder, are these purple bells?

The texture of this wood is beautiul.

Len came running over and said to come quickly with my camera.  He saw 8 male mountain sheep. 
Of course they were gone when we got there. 
But I did get this cool pic.

Another large rock!

I need to find out what these are.

I love how this came out.
Perfection.
Might have to go to spoonflower and use it in a fabric design when i get home.

On my way back to my tent to retreat from the mosquito assault i saw Len had rocks round his stakes.  Must be more rocks in the ground than where my tent is.