Spring Time in the Rockies: The Foxes

The youngsters
These baby foxes were wrestling near the trail head today. They were bouncing and crashing into each other, then rolling around until the dust cloud surrounding them made it hard to see. They seemed fat, healthy and happy to be alive having a wonderful time in the short periods of sunshine that warmed the green and flowing valley. Spring has finally come to Colorado and the wild life is out. The lower elevations are thawed completely and colorful with the spring flowers and plants slowly populating what was ice and snow a few weeks ago. The trail was still patchy with snow pockets and chattered with run off. The backcountry along the front range is showing all signs of a great summer season. There is lots of water, still plenty of snow at the higher elevations (above 10K) and many animal sightings.
Gnarles and I did some backpack training near the north fork of the Boulder creek just down the road from Eldora ski resort. Our goal was to get some fly fishing in and to start working on those backpacking legs to gear up for the season. We carried “2 day” backpacks (~50lbs) and spent the day tooling around looking for fishing holes along the river, wildlife and scouting for spring ski lines.
Noteworthy: We saw 7 foxes today. 5 Babies, 2 adults.

Festin at the Basin.

Our Beach Spot at this years festival. Complete with dual smokers!


The calm.

Brew Festin!

This year’s Brew crew, 2007.
The Sixth annual Summit County Festival of Brew pubs.

Another great festival this year up at Arapahoe Basin! Known as the beach party this event draws mountain folks from all over the state for a weekend of spring skiing, camping and microbrews. The mountain is host to 5 local favorite Breweries including Pug Ryan’s, Breckenridge, Dillon Dam, Backcountry and new comer from Keystone,Wolf Rock. There is free music all day, Frisbees, dogs, skis, boards, guitars and at least one BBQ grill and pack of tailgaters per parking space, serving up grilled master pieces. Our Group packed two smokers and enough food for an army. We prepared over apple wood the following; salmon, baby back ribs, pork tender loin, chicken breasts, steaks, pork chops and of coarse the occasional tube steak (hot dogs). Our Grill-estate was some of the best at the Basin!

Yes we take tailgating very seriously!