I thought I’d share few pictures from hikes at Holden Village this year. I saw things blooming I’d never seen bloom. And others we see all the time. Some of them I’ve got names for, others not so much. Can you help a girl out with that?

The 10-mile creek trail is an easy, trail that starts just behind the chalets and goes about 1 mile to 10-mile creek.

While walking that trail, you pass through different types of forest and different geological elements. Huge boulders deposited by the glaciers, ravines, slopes and such carved by ice and snow and water on rock. And plants finding the smallest collection of dirt in which to take root and grow. Enormous trees growing in the crevice of a rock, cleaving that rock from the face of the mountain.

There used to be a very nice self-guided hike brochure, but the hike haus doesn’t seem to be maintaining that too well this year. Telling you where to stand to smell Ponderosa Pine, pointing out the infection of pest and mutation of infection, showing you where to look to see the bedrock and the aspen laden avalanche chute.

Still, it’s nice to pass through the sunny avalanche chutes and back into the different types of forest. The old growth, the new growth. The decaying, the rejuvenating. The effects and after-effects of our presence in the valley; of fire and industry; of care and carelessness.

There are spots with benches and wide, panoramic views, but this year I was focused on two things.

1. Helping DH move at a brisk pace.

2. photographing the wildflowers I haven’t captured before.

OK, and some of these flowers I have photographed before. But not this year’s blooms! DH’s knees work great, but his cardio leaves something to work on.

It’s rather amazing that I’m the “in shape” one in this couple. Ouch!

At the end of a beautiful hike, and a beautiful day, it’s nice to have a bit of ice cream and continue to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings.

 

Where has small beauty surprised you this summer?