As we neared the Weminuche Wilderness, we passed by Chimney Rock, an archaeological site of the pre-Puebloans, dating back about 1,000 years, with evidence of two ceremonial Kiva rooms and 36 other rooms. Unfortunately, there were no tours that day due to weather (heat?), but we did get a glimpse of the peculiar rock formations which the ancient structures were built around, and we also checked out the visitor center. An interpreter there told us how the location allowed for line of sight in multiple directions and the ability to communicate through smoke signals or other methods of long-distance communication. The same pre-Puebloan people left behind remnants of cliff dwellings all around the Four Corners area of the Southwest, including Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon which I have had the pleasure of visiting. Why they gave up their homes and moved on (~1125 AD) is not entirely known, but harsh weather and scarcity of resources is a likely explanation.
Day One
We hit the trail, ready for anything!
Look, a colorful rock!
Here's a cute lil' plant that made it's presence known without rest the next 3 days: Parry's Bellflower, a member of the Campanula family
We climbed the initial portion of the Vallecito Trail and got our first glimpse of Mt. Irving. We planned to camp just to the west (picture left) of it that evening.
The turquoise water was very enticing as we sweated our way onwards.
I began to notice many different types of berries along the trail. Such as Snow Berry (Wolf Berry)
The best-tasting Thimble Berries I have ever had the pleasure of grazing upon... less dry than the ones I've found in CA, and with what seemed to me a rich, yeasty flavor, just sweet enough.
Chilling creekside for a moment.
We began passing some Parry's Gentian flower tucked amongst the grass.
I swore this was a type of delphinium, but apparently it is Western Monk's Hood (Aconitum columbianum).
Woah!
These asters were absolutely everywhere along the trail, with many devout followers.
Unknown tiny flower
This grouse flew up into a tree to avoid talking to us, but was very curious... A grouse is basically a mountain chicken.
I believe this was the second bridge on our hike. We ate our lunch down below by the cool flowing water.
Across the river I spotted a rock look-alike of Kronos the lizard peering back at me, stone-faced and beady-eyed.
(More on Kronos in a future posting...)
Not sure what this one is, but it's nice.
These black and white fellas were ubiquitous, seen swarming over some type of equally-everpresent ragweed-looking plant along the trail, and in the early mornings, still drunk from the previous day's bacchanal, slumped lifeless atop the mounds of pollen, awaiting the encouragement of the sunshine on their wings to commence living once more.
Getdownonit
This little creeper caught my eye
Blue butterflies
We climbed higher into forests populated by Aspen, with their quivering silver-dollar-sized leaves.
Mt. Irving getting closer and the landscape becoming more alpine...
Tiny White-flowered grassy-looking plant
A slide area along the river, not far from where we had to wade across due to an avalanche that wiped a bridge out a few years back. We welcomed this opportunity to demonstrate our aquatic prowess.
A rock lichen none other
We set up camp up in the left foreground of the next photo, just south of the towering Thunder Mountain.
Thunder Mtn. after dark.
We decide to explore further up Vallecito Creek Trail tomorrow and save the more strenuous climb up Johnson Creek for the following day.
With a little advice from Dad, I am eager to experiment with some new camera techniques.
The moon descended behind the mountains and we slept like little babies, devoid of regrets and full of awe.
It was a great trip - a tradition I want to keep going as long as possible! Your botanical interest and knowledge added much to our experience, and your frequent stops to examine flowers was much appreciated by this aging lowlander!
ReplyDelete