February 8. 2012 by Merilee.

Florence, AZ

February 8, 2012

We took a slow tour to Box Canyon today.  It is a unique and scenic jeep drive through a narrow, steep-walled canyon.

As the trail winds through box canyon, the view is just amazing and ever changing.  The rocks are covered with a chartreuse moss that is unique.  Although we looked for big horn sheep, we did not spot any today.

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February 6. 2012 by Merilee.

Lost Dutchman State Park

February 6, 2012

On a perfect day for a hike, we took the Treasure Loop trail to the shadow of the Superstitions in the Lost Dutchman State Park.  The trail is a gem at 2.4 miles of 360 degree landscape beauty.

the trail head:

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January 23. 2012 by Merilee.

Florence, AZ

January 23, 2012

Our jeep group took a trail ride on BLM land on a trail called Elvis .  I call it the rock ‘n roll trail.  The pics are of the Squeeze and the Waterfall.

an obstacle on Elvis for extra credit.

The waterfall on Elvis.

Here is a view of the lower part of the Roller Coaster trail that we explored after lunch.

Looking south from the top of Roller Coaster.

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January 19. 2012 by Merilee.

Florence, Arizona

January 18, 2012

Our group did some hard core rock crawling up the lower ajax trail.  The rating was difficult  with large boulders and narrow passages.

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January 11. 2012 by Merilee.

January 10, 2012

Florence Junction, AZ

We explored two difficult trails southeast of Florence Junction, AZ and northeast of Florence.  The “Jack Handle” trail was highlighted by the squeeze through the obstacle nicknamed Jack’s Crack.  It appeared to be solid rock and is barely wide enough to squeeze through. It was a short, narrow canyon with little room to maneuver with many rock obstacles.

Our second trail on Ajax had a tough obstacle as Jayne demonstrated how it is done.  The trail followed a rocky creek bottom with large boulders and narrow passages.

While both trails took us through some rocky washes and stream beds we also rode the high ridges.  This is  a shot of the group as we brought up the rear descending the high ridge after a restful lunch with a panoramic view

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May 15. 2011 by Merilee.

May 15, 2011

Fort Collins, Colorado

Spring has been slow to arrive in Fort Collins this year.  We have had 4 days of cold rain in the last week.

The scenic drive up Colorado 14 along the wild and scenic Cache la Poudre River is just a delight.  There are many places to stop with river access and photo locations along the way. This footbridge crosses the river to allow access to the Gray Rock trail.  While I was set up on the bridge taking pictures, a forest ranger crossed the bridge and said she has spotted a mountain lion about a mile down the trail!  Yes I would love to get a pic but I am just not that brave.

The river’s headwaters are in the Front Range in Larimer County, in the northern part of Rocky Mountain National Park. The river descends eastward in the mountains through the Roosevelt National Forest in Poudre Canyon. It emerges from the foothills north of the city of Fort Collins.

The name of the river means “Hide the powder” in French. It refers to an incident in the 1820s when French trappers, caught by a snowstorm, were forced to bury part of their gunpowder along the banks of the river.

The river is a popular summer destination for trout fishing, whitewater rafting, tubing, and kayaking in the Poudre Canyon.  I am certain many of my extended family will remember the rafting trip I took them on during a family reunion in Rocky Mountain National Park.

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