Caribou Ranch

Distance: 4.85 miles round trip (both trails with detours)
Elevation at the start: 8,580 ft
Elevation Gain: 756 ft (cumulative)
Dogs: Prohibited
Bikes: Prohibited
Critters: Snipe Flies (yikes!)
Seasonal Closure: 1 April to 30 June for Elk calving

DeLonde Homestead in the distance at Caribou Ranch

Caribou Ranch Open Space is located just north of Nederland on the Peak to Peak highway. Its two trails can be combined into a lovely stroll through Ponderosa Forest and open meadows. In summer the meadows are filled with wildflowers and tall green grasses.

Early trail segment

View to the west before heading down to the meadow

The ranch contains many attractions including the bright red barn of the DeLonde Homestead, the buildings and ruins of the Bluebird Mine, an excursion along Boulder Creek, and a short, nostalgic sojourn along the road bed of the Switzerland Trail, former route of the Denver, Boulder & Western Railroad.

A segment in Aspens

The parking is ample at the trailhead, which is short distance off of highway 72. A large brown sign points the way. Bathroom facilities are also present.

The wildflowers in this small meadow caught the eye

The route begins on the DeLonde Trail (1.2 miles one way) in a Ponderosa forest that angles gently upwards. Occasional rock piles and views of the western hills dominate the early portion of the route. A little further on the route transitions into small meadows surrounded by young Aspens before intersecting at 0.84 miles with the Switzerland Trail (as in train) roadbed. A small interpretive sign provides information about this historical landmark. The route follows the road bed until it intersects with the Bluebird Loop (1.8 miles around).

Another small meadow

At this point, you can take the loop in either direction. Since the red barn of the DeLonde Homestead was in view across an expansive green meadow, it was difficult not to head directly to it and take the loop in a counter-clockwise manner.

Intersecting the Switzerland Trail

The homestead (1.5 miles) consists of the attractive barn, a large house, a picnic table and a small lake that is blocked by a fence. This was a pleasant place indeed to lounge and listen to the birds in the trees.

The red barn up close

The DeLonde Homestead residence

Beyond the homestead on the northern portion of the loop is Boulder Creek at 2.26 miles. There is a short set of stone steps one can descend to reach the water. It is really unfortunate that dogs are not allowed in the open space because it has everything a dog could want.

Looking towards the small pond. The picnic table is just to the right

Trees and rocks near the homestead

On the western extent of the loop is a small sign pointing to the ruins of the Bluebird Mine. The name actually comes from Blue Azurite, which is often found in silver ore. The mine was active in the 1870s. You can wander around the buildings and look across a fence into the mine shaft itself.

Boulder Creek, still flowing in early August

There are several paths leading away from the mine site and it was little confusing finding the trail again. If route finding is not for you, just back track up the spur trail that led to the mine and you'll be fine.

Coming up on the Bluebird Mine complex

Looking into the mine shaft

The last part of the loop is along the edge of the expansive meadow. The DeLonde Homestead is visible in the distance. A bench is strategically placed along the side, ideal for another summer-time contemplative moment.

Part of the meadow

Looking across the meadow to the homestead beyond

Caribou Ranch is an idyllic spot. Lovers, families, or walkers seeking both solitude and pleasing views will find it most appealing. A word of caution, however.... Snipe Flies prowl this bucolic paradise. Two bites on my hand and it swelled up like a balloon. If you have similar sensitivities, spray on the Deet, or visit in a less petulant time of year.

The final stretch of the loop before it retains the Switzerland Trail

Star Green Gentian (Felwort)

Star Green Gentian Swertia perennis or Felwort is a new flower for me. I found it growing in the swampy grasses leading up to Wheeler Lake. It likes to have wet roots and grows in clumps. It is a late blooming flower, showing up in late summer and early fall.

Praying Mantis

Carolina Mantis (Stagmomantis carolina)

Ok ladies, admit it, how many of you out there would like to be one with the Praying Mantis and bite the head off your mate! Actually, the sexual cannibalism in Mantises is controversial. While observed in captivity, it is not often observed in Nature. That make the Mantis no less cool in my book.


It has been unseasonably hot here in Colorado this summer and the warm-loving Mantis has been spotted here and there. This specimen was on my driveway one morning. I spent a half hour cricking my neck with a macro lens trying to get a photo. I was laying on my belly and could not get my glasses into the view finder so most of the shots were blurry.


There are 6 species of Mantis in Colorado, but I believe this is a Carolina Mantis, which is common to the area. The European Mantis has two dots inside its forelegs. I never did see these since this bad boy kept his wicked looking "grippers" tightly closed.

Close up of the spins

I did observe him twisting his head around to preen his antennae. Mantis can articulate their heads up to 300 degrees. As you can see from the photos, their eyes are huge and their vision is binocular like humans (better to lunge at you my dear). This allows their body to stay still while their head turns to and fro looking for prey.

If you have not guessed already, the Praying Mantis is a carnivore. It primarily feeds on insects, which makes it the friend of organic farmers. Some species eat fish and one Mystery Science Theatre specimen was know to eat most of the human residents in a small town in Kansas. Yikes!

King Lake

Distance: 3 miles round trip
Elevation: 11,660 ft (on Rollins Pass) - 11.431 ft (at the lake) - 10, 750 ft near bottom of the ridge
Elevation Loss: 910 ft

King Lake

This post is based on my 2004 photo archives, a good 4 years before I started blogging. That means this is not full trail profile, but rather a photographic teaser, mostly random shots. Many of my pictures include views of Woodland Mountain, which dominates the skyline to the north.

Rollins Pass

On the pass, looking down the drainage

Descending to the lake, oh the fatigue

A hiker in a kilt??? I have I been transported to Scotland? I have never seen this sort of outfit for sale at REI. Being a gear fashionista, I was afraid there for a moment that I would have to toss out my entire wardrobe!

While most people travel to King Lake the hard way, via the Hessie Trailhead near Eldora (5.65 miles one way), I got there by driving up Rollins Pass Road out of Winter Park to Rollins Pass itself. From there it is only 0.35 miles and 229 ft down to the lake. How do I justify such an easy excursion? Well, a) it was described in a book that way, b) it was my birthday, and c) I had to get back to Boulder that night for a concert. C'est la vie.

Standing on the edge of the plateau that holds the lake looking down into the valley below.

The trail swings away from the lake before it reaches its eastern tip

While I now know of many places that are great for petal peeping, at the time I was awed by the diversity of flowers on the King Lake trail.

More flowers

The area was very lush and very rocky

Since 0.35 miles was shorter than I had imagined, I strolled eastward on the King Lake Trail as it traversed the lakes plateau and headed down in a series of switchbacks. I have no idea how far I went, but I do remember passing the turn off to Betty and Bob Lakes at 0.75 miles. Frankly, my nose was in the turf trying to take pictures of all the wild flowers. It was a bright sunny day, however, which is not conducive to petal peeping.

Crossing a small creek

I believe this is still looking north

King Lake is an attractive destination no matter how you get there. I would like to return and take in Betty and Bob Lakes. Since it is wilderness, however, and I know travel with dogs, it may be a while before I can return.

Wait, more flowers...

Clouds start coming in

Dragonfly

The Dragonfly as it looks in Nature

The Dragonfly as an archetype...radical man radical.

What is it about the Dragonfly that makes us cringe? Is it some sort of genetic preconditioning from the time when Dragonflies were as large as Eagles? Hard to say, but they certainly have a bad reputation in many cultures. Metaphorically, they are known to steal babies from their cribs or measure the weight of your soul.

Blue-eyed Darner (Aeschna multicolor) in flight

Reality is far more interesting. Dragonflies are territorial carnivores. They consume mosquitoes, flies, and other insects we humans detest. So why the bad wrap? I think it is just because they look so bad ass. Like a UFO, they can fly in six directions and will zoom away faster than you can say auto focus. Their wings are hydraulic and can move independently while their compound eyes can detect a bug, or see into your soul, at fifty paces.

Female Springtime Darner (Basiaeschna janata)

What you call a Dragonfly is actually the second and shortest stage of the organisms lifecycle. They spend much of their existence as a nymph cruising the local pond in search of prey. This stage can last up to 5 years in some species. At some point, the nymph will transform into the adult insect. The adult stage may last for only a few months and is primarily a means of reproduction. Maybe we should add "flying sexpot" to the list of the Dragonfly's reputations.

Left wing detail

I caught the images of the flying Blue-eyed Darner (Aeschna multicolor) at Officer Gulch near Frisco. There were several specimens cruising the pond in a near continuous pattern. This species is common through out Colorado. The male is bright blue and the female a more muted brown.

Right wing detail

The images of the Springtime Darner (Basiaeschna janata) I got in my back yard. I suspect this poor gal is dying. She hung out on the same perch for half a day. The wing details are amazing. Here are two sites to help you identify your Dragonflies:

• http://www.dragonflies.org/catalog.htm
• http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/insects/dfly/co/toc.htm

Side view of the wind

Old Dillon Reservoir

Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
Elevation: 9,066 ft - 9,193 ft
Elevation Gain: 127 ft
Dogs: Off leash

The views of Lake Dillon are the best part of the Old Dillon Reservoir Trail

The trail to the Old Dillon Reservoir is wickedly short, which makes it the perfect excursion for kids, visiting low-landers, aged ones, or peak baggers who are just too tired to do anything else but want to at least pretend that they hiked that day.

An early trail segment

Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium) is a poisonous shrub, so bring a snack on this trail so your not tempted! It grows in dry, wooded areas.

My behavior at times might put me in the first category, but alas I fell into the third category on my first trip to the reservoir. After climbing Mt. Thomas the day before, I just was not in the mood to do much, so I decided to hit a short trail. They need profiling too!

A close up of the rainbow. That is Bald Mountain (13,684 ft) to the right.

A segment through Aspens

I went late in the evening, around 7pm, and was blessed with a stunning light show across the waters of Lake Dillon. The views of the lake from this trail make this short trip worth bragging about. The islands, inlets, trees, and trails that surround the lake stood out like a Chamber of Commerce post card. Everything glistened. There was even a rainbow hanging over Mt. Bross to the south. I forget sometimes how attractive Lake Dillon really is. I don't know what is about seeing boats out on the water that make me yearn for the life of the itinerant vacationer.

Looking southeast from the bench

Looking southwest

The trail to the Old Dillion Reservoir begins in a large parking lot just across the dam from Silverthorne. It is easy to find and easy to park.

Mountains, lake, and clouds are an everyday tableau in Summit County.

Lake Dillon has many islands and inlets

The short trail switchbacks upwards a couple of times before straightening out into a eastward stretch. The flora varies from petite Aspens, to dead Lodgepoles, to lively Limber Pines. There were wildflowers along the way, but not as many as I would have hoped.

Trail segment just before the reservoir

Old Dillon Reservoir

On this trip, the reservoir was a near empty sandpit of limited appeal. Water for the reservoir comes from the Salt Lick Creek, and I suspect there has not been much water the last couple of years. From a sign posted at the trailhead it looks like there is a proposal to draw water from other sources.

Once a favorite fishing spot, the reservoir is currently dry

A close up of Torreys and Grays (left to right) in the fading sunlight

Just before the turn off to the reservoir, there is a green bench strategically placed to admire Lake Dillon. This is a fine destination in and of itself. Here one can feel isolated from the world while at the same time gazing down upon it. The trip on the Old Dillion Reservior Trail will enable you to worship summer in all its languid glory.