The Girl (Sera) and I are walking this trail a lot this summer. At an elevation greater than 7,000 ft the weather is cooler. The Ponderosa Pines provide some shade (and lots of sound when the breeze blows). The terrain is varied enough that I get a pretty good workout in on the climbs. There are tons of chipmunks for The Girl to chase. There is not much foot traffic on the trail, although I remain watchful.
There are lots and lots of images to make on the trail. We will probably be able to hike it for another three months or so. Once the snow begins to accumulate, hiking will be more difficult. I might pick up some snowshoes this winter.
But for now, we continue to hike the trail most days. It has been a great break from the more congested Silver Saddle Ranch trails that we were walking (and still sometimes do). There is also less risk of rattlesnakes. I really do not want another rattlesnake encounter.
The frame captures why I really love the trail.
I see peace when looking at this picture.
One of my main issues is that I get all caught up in my thoughts and am stuck up in my head. If, and that’s a BIG IF, I can get out of my head (and that requires an effort) and into the space around me, I find this area very peaceful. The sound of the breeze in the Ponderosas is that lovely shshshshing sound. I can feel Sera’s energy and excitement as she hunts.
It is a lovely place. It is the mountains’ equivalent to light surf breaking at the shore. I can listen to it for hours.