u/Singer_221

In case anyone was planning to hike around Ouray, please know that there’s a wild fire actively burning north of the city. The videos were taken just past midnight on Sunday the 28th from highway 17, looking east toward the slopes above the Rotary Park (approximately). Highway 550 is closed to all traffic (north of the city), and the highway 17 detour might only be open to local traffic.

More info:
https://ouraycountyco.gov/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=Gold-Mountain-Fire-Information-44

Thank you fire fighters.

Here are pictures of my campsites and a few highlights from my hike between May 8th and 16th, 2026. I had the great privilege to hike from Santa Fe to Taos, New Mexico in the USA. The 132 mile trail begins literally in the Santa Fe town plaza at the monument for the historic Old Santa Fe Trail, and ends in the Taos town plaza.

Along the way I experienced high desert to alpine lakes and mountains of the southern Sangre de Christo range, and saw elk, Rocky Mountain big horn sheep, an Albert Squirrel, and a cinnamon bear! Also tons of butterflies and wildflowers.

The first campsite was a parking lot at a casino near the trailhead! I sewed the tent (and down quilt, pack, and some clothing). Although the trail crosses passes up to 12k, you can find campsites at lower elevations in the woods and the creator of the trail developed the route to provide ample sources of water.

I am grateful for Mother Nature, my family and friends, the trail crews, and Pam Neely (who created and administers the trail) for this life gift that challenged my 70 year old body, and energized my inner light.

Please send me a message if you want the website address for the trail organization or to see a video of the trail.

Here are pictures of my campsites and a few highlights from my hike between May 8th and 16th, 2026. I had the great privilege to hike from Santa Fe to Taos, New Mexico in the USA. The 132 mile trail begins literally in the Santa Fe town plaza at the monument for the historic Old Santa Fe Trail, and ends in the Taos town plaza.

Along the way I experienced high desert to alpine lakes and mountains of the southern Sangre de Christo range, and saw elk, Rocky Mountain big horn sheep, an Albert Squirrel, and a cinnamon bear! Also tons of butterflies and wildflowers.

The first campsite was a parking lot at a casino near the trailhead! I sewed the tent (and down quilt, pack, and some clothing). Although the trail crosses passes up to 12k, you can find campsites at lower elevations in the woods and the creator of the trail developed the route to provide ample sources of water.

I am grateful for Mother Nature, my family and friends, the trail crews, and Pam Neely (who created and administers the trail) for this life gift that challenged my 70 year old body, and energized my inner light.

Please send me a message if you want the website address for the trail organization or to see a video of the trail.

Between May 8th and 16th, 2026, I had the great privilege to hike from Santa Fe to Taos, New Mexico in the USA. The 132 mile trail literally begins in the Santa Fe town plaza at the monument for the historic Old Santa Fe Trail, and ends in the Taos town plaza.

Along the way I experienced high desert to alpine lakes and mountains of the southern Sangre de Christo range, and saw elk, Rocky Mountain big horn sheep, an Albert Squirrel, and a cinnamon bear! Also tons of butterflies and wildflowers.

If you’re interested, visit the santafetotaos.org website for more information, and check out my video showing the trail mile by mile, a few steps at a time. https://youtu.be/s\_MmNTtzN48

I am grateful for Mother Nature, my family and friends, the trail crews, and Pam Neely (who created and administers this trail) for the life gift that challenged my 70 year old body, and energized my inner light.

What is this growing in a pot with a cactus plant?

Successful first step in my hunting journey at age 70! As best as I can remember, this was the first time I’ve fired a firearm (not including a neighbor’s bb gun as a kid).

Yesterday (24APR26) I hiked up the Old Horsethief Trail from the trailhead right on Highway 550 north of Ouray. The highlights were seeing a bear and a grouse and some wildflowers. I paused until the bear climbed up and away from the trail. I first saw it across the gully with the steep exposure. https://landmarkimages.smugmug.com/Montrose-/Hikes-jogs/Old-Horsethief-Trail-1/n-bTm7F7/Old-Horsethief-Trail-24APR26/i-SNKkm7p/A

Unlike Whambapp, https://www.reddit.com/r/coloradohikers/s/9haV08c1tu , I wimped out and turned around before reaching the Bridge of Heaven because the snowfield felt too glazed for me.

On the way back down I satisfied my urge to reach the top of something by walking up a little bump https://landmarkimages.smugmug.com/Montrose-/Hikes-jogs/Old-Horsethief-Trail-1/n-bTm7F7/Old-Horsethief-Trail-24APR26/i-qGFWQn3/A