We had four days off, alone, together, in our favorite part of the state. The plan was to hike Courthouse Mountain...
![Dunsinane and Precipice from the slopes of Courthouse Mountain Dunsinane and Precipice from the slopes of Courthouse Mountain](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Seasons/Summer/Mountain-Vistas/i-KNRxThd/0/M/dunsinineprecipice-M.jpg)
... Blue Lakes...
![primary colors high above Blue Lake primary colors high above Blue Lake](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Blue-Lakes/i-Rh5fVSX/0/M/DLA_10886a-M.jpg)
... Highland Mary Lakes...
![Highland Mary Lakes Highland Mary Lakes](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Highland-Mary-Lakes/i-vr5mpcb/0/M/DLA38962-M.jpg)
... and Ice Lake...
![Pilot Knob, Lower Ice Lake and Parry Primrose Pilot Knob, Lower Ice Lake and Parry Primrose](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Ice-Lakes/i-Zq2H9Rv/0/M/DLA_11022a-M.jpg)
The weather had different ideas.
![Blaine Basin trail Blaine Basin trail](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Blue-Lakes/i-Frcrmf3/0/M/DSCN9539-M.jpg)
Day I was spent in the Cimarron Basin, shooting wildflowers and moose.
![](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Wild-Rose-of-Cimarron/i-7ZjPC36/0/M/DSCN9423-M.jpg)
On Day II, we made the spontaneous decision at the Blue Lakes/Blaine Basin fork in the trail to go left and hike the path less taken. The Lizard had climbed Mount Sneffel's Snake Route, a snow climb, via Blaine Basin a good many years ago. I'd never been on that trail. Because it was highly likely we wouldn't make it far before lightning began electrifying one of my favorite places in Colorado, I decided to try something new and see whatever Blaine Basin would share in such a short time. Blaine Basin was not stingy.
![mushroom mushroom](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Blue-Lakes/i-dnxFmCS/0/M/DSCN9502-M.jpg)
![What is that??? What is that???](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Blue-Lakes/i-STjxWXm/0/M/DSCN9504-M.jpg)
![lots lots](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Blue-Lakes/i-tDtp5WS/0/M/DSCN9506-M.jpg)
![Full=grown? Full=grown?](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Blue-Lakes/i-Hx58GPL/0/M/DSCN9507-M.jpg)
![twin berries twin berries](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Blue-Lakes/i-7hNQQSX/0/M/DSCN9510-M.jpg)
![baneberry baneberry](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Blue-Lakes/i-tvJ4r62/0/M/DSCN9511-M.jpg)
![baneberry baneberry](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Blue-Lakes/i-qBM8hWJ/0/M/DSCN9515-M.jpg)
![unidentified and perfect for crochet unidentified and perfect for crochet](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Blue-Lakes/i-kvN699r/0/M/DSCN9514-M.jpg)
![too much rain too much rain](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Blue-Lakes/i-qb3Z24r/0/M/DSCN9521-M.jpg)
![green gentian green gentian](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Blue-Lakes/i-cM9CL99/0/M/DSCN9529-M.jpg)
![sticky geranium sticky geranium](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Blue-Lakes/i-rKbTsQN/0/M/DSCN9555-M.jpg)
![monkshood monkshood](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Blue-Lakes/i-ZnsMWLk/0/M/DSCN9573-M.jpg)
![nodding ragwort nodding ragwort](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Blue-Lakes/i-vw2BfGv/0/M/DSCN9565-M.jpg)
![nearly exhausted beebalm nearly exhausted beebalm](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Blue-Lakes/i-DFXJ3PM/0/M/DSCN9605-M.jpg)
![fireweed fireweed](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Blue-Lakes/i-5v5jXST/0/M/DSCN9543-M.jpg)
![my sweetie my sweetie](https://snowcatcher.smugmug.com/Treasures/High-Country/Blue-Lakes/i-PbXt5zM/0/M/DSCN9535-M.jpg)
Awesome photographs. We'll go back. All of those areas are exceptional in all seasons.
ReplyDeleteThe weather doesn't always cooperate with us indeed. haha the moose looks a bit miffed that it was being bothered.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm breathless from all these wildflower photos. Wow.
ReplyDeleteThe trail less traveled was a good choice. :)