Here we are walking along Little Grouse Mountain Trail in Teller County. Why? We hear there’s a troll on the trail! This is news we have to explore. Let’s go!
There’s a Troll on the Trail!?
An August Yellow Wonderland
This August Garden of the Gods has turned into a wonderland of yellow flowers even more so than usual. With all the rain this May and June and showers since then, not to mention many less 90+ degree days than the last few years, what beauty! Here we go . . .
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Linkins Lake Redo
The beginning of August 2021 we hiked to Linkins Lake. The trailhead is about two miles west of Independence Pass on CO Highway 82 which crosses the Sawatch (suh-watch) Mountains, home to some of Colorado’s highest peaks. There seems to be little agreement on the elevation gain over the .6 mile trail to the lake, but we walk up about 550 feet. Not to mention all the rocks, switchbacks, and gorgeous wildflowers! Come on along, but watch your step.
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Sandstone Ranch Open Space: Juniper Valley Loop Trail
Thirty miles north of home is a new 2,038 acre open space–Sandstone Ranch. Douglas County, the county north of my home county of El Paso, opened Sandstone Ranch to the public in September 2020. They are proud to have secured this acreage for the public to enjoy for generations. This open space has a 3.5-mile common border with Pike National Forest, historic ranch buildings from the original owners in the 1870s, and great plans to make both available to visitors in the future.
Currently, though, Sandstone Ranch has 12 miles of trails with overlooks of the old Ranch and various red rock formations. Today we will explore 3.6 miles of the Juniper Valley Loop Trail. With all the rain we’ve had this year–and are still getting–the flowers and plants should be amazing. This is my first visit here, so join me on this new adventure in beautiful Sandstone Ranch Open Space!
