I woke up to a snow covered ground outside my window. At 8am Weather dot com said it was 13 degrees here in town yet 33 in the mountain town of Woodland Park and Divide. It was a beautiful sunny mid-winter day and the report said it would hit 44 degrees Fahrenheit. I decided it was a good day to take a drive into the mountains and go for a hike. I drove to my favorite hiking place, Mueller State Park in Divide, CO. My goal is to hike every trail in the park, and there are many miles of trails, some of which connect to trails in a State Wildlife Area.
There was snow on the ground and ninety percent of the self-guided Wapiti Nature Trail that I hiked was covered with the white stuff, but it was really relaxing and fun. I had a guide book that told me about the area I was hiking through with matching numbered markers.
Leaving the Visitor Center’s parking lot it was quite windy, although as I descended I could hear the wind blowing over the top, yet I could no longer feel it which caused it to seem quite warm comparatively. I came upon the sweet smelling tree, the Ponderosa Pine – if you stop and smell the… tree bark, there is a pleasant butterscotch smell, and some trees smell more like vanilla.
One interesting fact on this short .8 mile trail is the varying life zones you pass through as well as lay your eyes upon on a not so distant Pikes Peak. Pikes Peak is 14,100 feet above sea-level. The highest areas, above tree line are called Alpine Tundra. The dark trees just below make up the Subalpine made up of Engelmann Spruce and Subalpine Fir. While observing all this I was standing in the Monatne life zone. A variety of evergreen trees and bushes, grasslands, aspen trees amongst other species cover this area.
Although I was not out long enough or at the right time of day to see any wildlife other than a few birds, I did see several animal tracks along the same path I was following as well as crossing over. I noticed rabbit tracks, deer or elk tracks, I think raccoon tracks and a couple I was just not sure of. Passing through forests and fields it is amazing how God has created everything to survive from the bitter cold Rockies to the deserts of the world. The Bible says, all of His creation will speak of His glory – and truly it does. It never ceases to amaze me.
I guess this Brazilian blooded missionary is adjusting to the colder weather as I really enjoyed my afternoon in the Rockies. Would you like to join me? I’ll be headed west again the very next opportunity I get. One important note in Colorado, as the sun goes down the thermometer follows. Oh yes, I was glad to be home at nightfall as the overnight low was six degrees Fahrenheit!
Plan some time in nature and just observe the little things and just how intricate God’s creation really is. He really did think of everything!
2 comments:
Boy Jimmy It sounds great. Now if you could only shoot some of those critters....with a camera is suspect you could share them with us.
I would love to see that some day.
I would love to take some pics, but my good camera is no longer. I am planning on buying a new one in a few months. I do have some pics of tehpark from a warmer season. I will be posting some pics sometime soon. I have been wanting to, it just takes time. You'll see them soon.
Hey, anytime you want to make a trip to CO, you have a place to stya. My parents have two guest rooms and I'll have my own place by the end of March now that I am sticking around more than a month at a time.
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