Regardless if it was your first time on trail this year or not, a bright, sunny day greeted us as the bus pulled into the parking lot of Mesa TH, outside Eldorado Springs. We were a small (8) but anxious bunch of trekkers. Judy, Jo, and Betty are fresh out of hiking school. The three attended classes hosted by the Aurora Center for Active Adults (ACAA). Jo was actually trying out a new trekking pole acquired since attending class.
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| The Flatirons peek out from early morning clouds. |
Had this hike been done yesterday, as scheduled, there may well have been some disgruntled hikers. The decision to push the hike back a day was the right one. On trail, it didn't take long for smells of spring to once again be registered. The only way to experience those smells of spring is to get outside.
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| Betty and Sharon on the spur trail leading to Mesa Tail. |
The snowfall yesterday was all but gone from open areas. Sections of trail were snow covered although we were not the first to make footprints. Sections of trail where snow had melted, were covered in shallow mud or standing water.
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| Lots of tracks, most of them of the human kind. |
Walking under areas with any degree of canopy, one might think it was raining. Not with the sun shining brightly overhead, right. Snow still hanging onto branches from last night, was slowly melting. The only difference from real rain, these droplets were COLD!
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| Trail makes a short up and into dense trees. |
Lunch today was taken at a nondescript spot just off trail. Again, a rock formation providing minimal protection from the sun, made the choice an easy one.
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| Conversation and landscapes are about as good as it gets. |
Traces of vegetation peeked from behind rock formations all day. The ever present lichens, showed us a wide range of colors and textures on virtually every rock formation we passed. There were sightings of holly grape, spear wort, and wild rose.
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| Experimenting with the time delay feature captures this group image. |
Later in the day, a healthy looking pasque flower, stood solo beside trail. One area was a photographers delight. Acres of wild plum bushes in full bloom.
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| Wild plum flowers at their peak. |
Crossing the bridge over South Boulder Creek, marked the end of a wonderful first hike of the year. Yes, this morning, we were an anxious bunch.
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| A scene to close out a wonderful opening day. |
Chatter at the end of the day centered on the many reasons members of the High Country Hikers group enjoy time on trail together.
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| From the bridge, looking up stream is Eldorado Springs. |
Mesa Trail is a good choice to initiate hikers of all skill levels. Snow, mud, nor elevation was a negative today. The experience was an adequate challenge for those who may not have been as active over the winter as some. For those who were able to get into the back country year round, the day was one more memory, one more journal entry, one more enjoyable piece to life's journey.
Total miles = 5.2
Total elevation gain = 837'
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