White Ranch is about a twenty minute drive into the foothills(if you park on the east end of the park. I had been there earlier this week so this time I headed farther west to the other entrance which was about a half hour drive and significantly higher elevation, a little over 7,000 feet. Essentially I was starting at the top of the park from this west parking entrance.
I began from the parking lot on Belcher Hill Trail for a almost a mile and then jumped off that where it ends and at a T, where I went left on Rawhide Trail. Essentially I followed Rawhide in a loop for another four miles or so and linked up with Belcher again then headed back to where I parked, crossed the lot and did another mile or so in an out-and-back on Belcher. Like every trail I have been on since I have been here there are basically two directions: up and down. And sometimes it's a pretty damn steep up or down (plus the trails are generally very technical), which comes as no real surprise. It is the Rocky Mountains after all!
The most notable happening during the run was actually when I stopped for a picture and rest break and was walked up on by what I assume was a Red Fox. He was just strolling up the trail and looking off to his left and didn't see me leaning up against the rock wall. I let him come for a bit before I became a bit uncomfortable (he was a good-sized fox) and said "Hey!" and he turned around and headed up the hillside. He seemed annoyed he was going to have to take the long way around. It was pretty amazing!
I don't have the words to do Colorado justice so here are some pics from today. They at least come somewhat close.
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| This is right where the fox came up the trail to me |
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