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| Hiking | 11.77 Miles |
2,393 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.77 Miles | | | |
| 2,393 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | WTF? On one hand this is my favorite hike/run. I do it sometimes three times a year. The first 4 miles is through some of the most prime pristine old growth aspen stands in the area. It is literally my favorite place in the fall and I’ve done til his hike more than any other save Mt. Esther. There is history, cabins, geology, and most of all fall colors and amazing aspen stands… or there was…!
1 mile into the hike I witnessed the devastation/decimation of probably the best stand of old growth aspens in the area not from storms weather insects, but in the name of management by Co. parks and wildlife. My $40 annual fishing license I use only to access this area went toward decimating this stand and putting Elk Fence around it, but apparently doesn’t go to anyone in the local office answering the phone. BTW 17192275200. I know because I called # on the trail as soon as I got service. I have never been so irritated while in the trail and it didn’t help that I literally had 8+ miles to contemplate the destruction which made me more and more disgusted all while jumping over at least 30 fallen trees crossing the trail in areas that have less healthy sections of the forest which apparently my money doesn’t go toward maintaining. I spoke an old local couple as I was passing them to find out what happened? They spoke to a Ranger who was checking they had permits and they said he said Parks and wildlife cut down the old growth stand as an experiment to see if it would grow back and improve habitat. I said no he didn’t say that and they said that is exactly how he worded it! This just added to my aggravation. I spoke to Travis Sauder driving home 17194399635. He was polite even sent me utah study that they used to justify this action. He said Ranger shouldn’t have told the couple that, but did not deny in essence that is exactly what they did. He could not explain why they chose that part of the forest and admitted no one was involved in this or consulted other than their environmentalist person. When I asked him for a better or comparable old growth stand in our area I could visit he could not point me to a better stand. Basically they decided to decimate this stand. He claims that it will improve health, habitat, and eventually grow back prettier. I asked him how long it would take for the trees to grow a 100’ again and he could not answer. They had to put Elk fence around it because the elk would not let anything grow after the healthy forest was cut down. Presumably because there are no predators in the area to control the elk which unchecked thanks to previous man made decisions leave them uncontrolled. I’m for healthy forests and proper management, but this is about as PUMKIN STUPID AS INTRODUCING CANE TOADS TO AUSTRALIA AND LOOK HOW THAT TURNED OUT. Sorry for the rant! I think I’m grieving one of the most beautiful peaceful places I’ve visited that I will not be able to return to see in my lifetime. It Sucks!
Here is the link cited and given to me by Travis Sauder used to destroy (I mean manage synonyms right) this particular stand of Aspens.
https://forestry.usu.edu/news/utah-fore ... thern-utah |
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Autumn Foliage Observation Substantial
Substantial Where Co. Parks and Wildlife hasn’t cut it down |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
The life of a stay at home sport Dad until I get released for work.
The scenery and company didn't disappoint. My dad is still getting around pretty good for turning 70 last month! He even climbed to the top. 
Fall colors were on the spring creek side of the loop.
Logs won't work, but hey I didn't get pee'd on so whatever works. We did not go to the summit for what would have been awesome views as it was a pretty clear day. On the way up to the turn off Micah fell asleep in the carrier and Sarrah got really sick. Not sure what it was, but she was out today from work as well. At the turn off for the summit she was concerned about making it through the hike so we took a break pushed some fluids and continued back to the truck. She felt better when the storms came and the breeze picked up, but she started getting sick in the car on the way home. 
I've enjoyed the fall colors on this side of Pikes Peak and this hike caught my eye. This hike had everything. Rock formations fall colors and a summit. It follows and old stage coach road past the ruins of an old private hunting lodge that burned down in the 40s. It had several water crossings as it follows a creek that has been dammed up by beavers. Stay to the right along the slope to bypass all of these crossings. I ran into a honeymooning couple as I was heading to the overlook. She had fallen in trying to jump across and were on the other side of a major crossing. They had turned back because of the crossings. I ran into them in the last 1/2 mile and they had taken another trail to make a shorter loop but never made it to Dome Rock because of the crossings. I suspect this became Dome Rock State Wilderness for the Sheep lambing as it used to be part of Mueller State Park. There are a couple dome shaped granite monoliths in the area and other formations. The trail I took back climbs up around Dome Rock along an aspen forest. The summit views were awesome despite snow, overcast skies and Pikes Peak being in a cloud. Hiking offtrail to the summit was relatively easy. I do not think I would climb to the top in wet or icy weather. The runnels channelling from the top of dome rock are deep and interesting. Fall colors looked to have peaked until I got higher in elevation. The trail widens again after leaving the rock and the rest of the hike was a quiet climb through a large aspen forest with intermittent rock formations and lots of fall colors. A definite must do for fall colors. I got snowed on and the temps. Started going down toward the end of the hike although I don't think the temps hit 32 today. The only thing that would've made it better was having Muesli along, unfortunately dogs, Mtn Bikes, camping, fires, or climbing with gear are not allowed. Check the description as the middle third of the hike including the dome rock overlook are closed during Mtn Sheep lambing season which leaves you middle July to the end of November. 
