RLT #4: Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway in Colorado
Besides enjoying the wonderful fall colors, I started out this day looking forward to seeing the "crown jewel" of these mountains - the second largest natural lake in Colorado, Trappers Lake. Known as the "Cradle of the Wilderness," it had been one of the first areas in America designated a Wilderness Area.
As such, no motor boats are allowed on its waters. Foot traffic around the lake and canoes only on the water!
Looking north to the Flat Tops Wilderness Area.
Lead Photos: The beautiful Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway in Colorado
(Click on any image in this post, in PeakD, for anLittle did I know that the visit would be marred by the remnants of the Big Fish Fire ... 😞
Before taking a closer look, this is a map of the area:
Source: Highlighted Google map of area covered in this post
Here is a brief look at each of the highlight points illustrated above, with links to more information, if you are interested in learning more about it:
- Dunklee Pass - Elevation 9,783 ft (2,982 m)
- Ripple Creek Pass - Elevation 10,360 ft (3,158 m)
- Trappers Lake - Elevation 9,600 ft (2,926 m)
- Buford, established in 1889, serves as the entrance to White River canyon
Let's be on our way! 😎
Dunklee Pass
Climbing up to this very fine vantage point was a great start to this memorable day. My being here at the height of the change of colors was intentional.
I was not disappointed!
Leaving Yampa, we crossed the pretty North Hunt Creek, before beginning the climb into the high country
Beginning the climb up Dunklee Pass, I was pleased to find some red out there in the changing colors!
Very nice gravel road to the summit, easily traveled by car ... Except for bane of these roads - washboarding!
Panoramic view from the summit, with Pyramid Peak in the background
Photos: Views on climb to summit of Dunklee Pass
This "roller coaster ride" day started with climbing to the summit of this first pass. It was very enjoyable, on the way, to pass through the Aspen Belt. I cannot imagine I will ever tire of it.
Ripple Creek Pass
Upon crossing the ridge at Dunklee Pass, you descend steeply down into the East Fork of the Williams Fork of the beautiful Yampa River. The Yampa is famous as a recreational paradise for rafting enthusiasts.
- Click on the link provided, dear reader, and you will be instantly rewarded with a stunning view of the Yampa ...
Its headwaters flow down out of these same Flat Top Mountains, except on the eastern side. We are going down the western side.
Beginning the ascent to the Ripple Creek Pass summit, found a hardy specimen living way out here!
Vaughn Lake
Poose Creek below Vaughn Lake
Scenic view of the Flat Tops. Truly flat! Very unusual in the Rocky Mountains.
Photos: Views climbing to the summit of Ripple Creek Pass
As nice as the views were, from the summit of Dunklee Pass, the views from this summit were even better!
From the summit, as shown above, there is a great view of the Flat Tops, home to the second largest wilderness area in Colorado.
Source: Flat Tops Wilderness post on Wild Trekking's website.
Trappers Lake
The story of one man's role, in preserving this area for all posterity, is not to be missed by anyone who appreciates the majesty and splendor of ... "the Great Outdoors." His name is Arthur Carhart. A landscape architect employed by the U. S. Forest Service, he was sent into the Trappers Lake basin to create plans for developing it.
Upon arriving, it made such an impression on him, that is not what happened! Instead, he is credited with part of inspiring a national movement which ultimately led to the passage of the Wilderness Act of 1964.
Trappers Lake, inside the Flat Tops Wilderness, is protected by one of them.
These words are simple ...
Leave it as it is.
You can not improve on it.
... but remarkably powerful. I cannot improve upon them. I can only say they capture why I much prefer RLT traveling "way out here," than spending any time in glitzy man-made population centers ...
While still quite pretty, the damage from the fire was unmistakable.
While the mature forest trees will never return in my lifetime, there are wild raspberries!
View looking north into the canyon flowing down from Trappers Lake. Again, the fire damage is obvious and unmistakable.
Panoramic view from vantage point above Trappers Lake
Photos: Views of Trappers Lake
The setting is spectacular, while the effect of the fire is inescapable. What this basin must have been like, in the days when its beauty inspired a national movement to create America's Wilderness Act!
Descent into White River Valley
Upon leaving Trapper Lake, the final leg of my journey was the descent down through the White River canyon and out into the beautiful valley in which we find the little town of Meeker. It was in Meeker that I would spend the night.
Photos: Descent down through White River canyon
Upon starting work on this post, I was chagrined to learn I could not find some of the pictures I was sure I had taken of the mouth of the White River canyon out into the valley below. I have yet to find them ...
What follows, then, are from a previous trip (as can be see from the difference in color of the foliage) where I only got as far as Buford.
White River at Buford, at the entrance to the Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway
Way out here in this remote corner of Colorado, a "hobbit hole" home!
Fertile ranch country above Meeker, in the White River valley below Buford
Photos: Views of Buford and White River valley
Like most any ranch country found in the American West at +7,000 ft (+2,100 m) in elevation, it is beautiful in the summer months. Given how remote these ranches are, I also have thoughts of the families that live there and the challenges they face, once the season changes and the tourists are long gone.
They have to be very hardy people to not only endure, but thrive under those conditions.
"Home sweet home!"
Yes, for one whole night ... As I arrived in this small town, it was very enjoyable to walk around on the side streets and down into the park areas along the White River, which flows through it.
Source: Very nice website on visiting Meeker
If you would like to have a very impressively produced idea about this area, be sure and click on this link, scroll down past the Photo Gallery, and click on the video!
- Now at my destination for the night, I'll call it a great day! 👋
Closing
This day provided unexpected "food for thought," both in reflecting on the damage wrought by a terrible fire, as well as the "heroics" of one person, who had a vision for what might be. But, was not yet ...
As a direct result, I, my family, and my fellow Americans, are blessed with experiencing portions of our big, wide world left ...
much as it has always been
untouched by man!
untouched by man!
I hope you enjoyed "seeing through my eyes" this remote part of the American West. If so, I’d love to hear any feedback you may be inspired to provide.
Until "next time," all the best to you for a better tomorrow, as we all work together to build up our Hive Communities and add increasing value to our Hive blockchain! 👍 😊
Respectfully,
Blogger @roleerob
Hive "Dolphin" 🐬 & Man Cave "Dragon" 🐉
P.S. Unless otherwise noted, all images are pictures taken by my smartphone - a Samsung Galaxy S9+.
🌲 No trees were harmed in the publishing of this post! 🌲
Interested in reading more of my travel-related posts?
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Fond Memories: Return to Spirit West River Lodge
A remarkable place. Built by remarkable people. Writing about it resulted in some of my highest rewarded posts, including "Daily Top Payout" on Hive. Please don't miss my tribute to Lynn Finney, in the top comment.
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R2R Travelogue: Recap of "@roleerob's excellent adventure!" In winter ... My R2R series - "Road to Recovery" trip of a lifetime. In 31 days, I drove 4,984 miles through a part of 8 states - Colorado, Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Unforgettable memories relived and new ones made! |
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It must be a unique experience to be there and walk through such a natural and pure space. Generally these are things we see in movies or on TV, at least that's my case.
It is nice to see the pictures you have taken and shared to the community. Especially the variety of them, making us feel that we travel with you all those places.
If you can't see this awesome banner, open this post InLeo
Yes, @vikvitnik ...
... it is a remote part of the State of Colorado. One which many have never experienced, as they are too busy ...
Thank you for stopping by and adding value to this post, by letting me know you have enjoyed reading it!
Wonderful
this landscape looks cool and is very memorable. 😋👌 I hope I can photography this also one day.
Yes, @foxkoit ...
... perhaps one day. Until then, we have this amazing technology we are all investing our time in, to provide the opportunity to "see through the eyes" of others all over the world.
Thanks for stopping by!
Npr ... happy to see good nature photos, it is cool post :) 🤗👍
Now those are some beautiful views! I'm very particular about creeks though I always love seeing them
Yes, @bitcoinflood, we are "kindred spirits" then, as there is little more soothing to my soul than being beside them. I will say, though, I have to clarify that just a bit. Having been back East a fair amount, their relatively slow moving water that is brown or green? Not the same ...
Give me the clear running mountain streams of the American West! Full of air bubbles and trout! 👍
Maravilloso lugar, saludos desde Venezuela exitos
the view of the street surrounded by dense trees there is very beautiful, especially there is a small river whose water looks fresh making the view even more amazing, plus the view of the green mountains that you share makes your trip very enjoyable
Yes, @aquagelas, ...
... there is little more soothing to my soul than the sight and sound of a clear flowing mountain stream cascading down over the rocks, on its way to the sea.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your perspective!
Dear my respected senior @roleerob !
Do the ranches in those photos produce milk, cheese, and meat and exist as tourist destinations?
Do those ranches make money as tourist attractions and lodging establishments?
Have you stayed as a tourist at the ranches?
🌄 Good morning!☕ Interesting questions ...
I am no expert, but I believe you would find these ranches focus almost exclusively on providing meat. Dairies are typically found in different parts of the country, at lower elevations than what I am showing on this trip.
Yes, some of them, as I have provided links here and there. This would generate additional income, but I have no idea how much this adds to their overall family income. I'd say, however, most of them do not do this, preserving their privacy and focusing exclusively on ranching.
No. Maybe some day!
Wow epic man !GIF !MEME !WEED
Via Tenor
Credit: amigoponc
Earn Crypto for your Memes @ HiveMe.me!
Hello from Denver! :)
What?! I thought you were from Phoenix! 😉
I am Phoenix, the Phoenix is me. ;)
Wow sir! Your posts are awesome and I love Nature of Beauty. Writing on mountains, seas and greenery, visiting them satisfies my soul. Seeing your post and reading your words, my tensions are reduced.your post is not just a capture photograpy infect this is a lot informative.....
🌄 Good morning (here)! ☕ Nice to hear from you, @anilaashraf.
Thank you for sharing this with me ...
... as it lets me know my efforts are not in vain.
The truth of the matter, when creating posts like this, is the words written are far and away the least time intensive. Most of the work goes into selecting and preparing the pictures ... And finding and building the URLs, for my reader's benefit, if they would like to pursue them ...
A "labor of love," at least to some degree, since I place such a high value in being out in remote country like what I have experienced and am now bringing to the attention of others. All over the world ...
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your perspective! 👋
P.S. "Sir" is not necessary, from "my side," as I am no better or different than you ...
P.P.S. I knew you could do it, if you put your mind to it ... 😉🫡
Absolutely, sir! Your work is truly appreciable. I'm a completely new member on Hive. Today, I was feeling quite disheartened because I haven't been able to work or write any blogs for the past six days. An admin muted me in two communities just because of one comment, where my intention was not wrong at all, and I don't even know why I was muted. This has been really bothering me. I did all the verification they asked for, followed all their rules, and even mentioned them in a post, but I didn't get any significant response. They have been ignoring me for the past four days, which was quite upsetting. But then, I saw your post and felt much more relaxed, and I realized that I should work hard again because I am an original worker and shouldn't be upset. It was just sad that my effort was muted due to a misunderstanding.😔
I am truly sorry to read this, @anilaashraf, but ... Not surprised. I have been "in here" for years and have "witnessed" many aspects of this "virtual world" which are far from ideal. And that, for many, is an understatement ...
Human nature does not change, just because we are "in here." We all have to make our individual decisions about how we are going to handle that. Or not ...
I wish you well, as you work out what only you can determine is in the best interests of you and your future.
thanks
While I know you mean well, @anilaashraf, with your upvotes of my comment, please read my "weekly tip" here. Then, feel free to remove it, as it is in your best interest. And, obviously, I will understand.
P.S. Just looking out for you a bit, as there is a lot to learn ...
With a bit more time, @anilaashraf, I have looked into this very briefly:
A curator of that community invested their time to provide you an explanation. And your responses indicates you understood it. Is that not so?
Knowing you are new "in here," permit me to suggest one more thing of which you will want to be aware. For the next time ...
Comments should primarily be focused on the content of the author's post. As it is, this detail of your challenges with a completely different part of our Hive blockchain has nothing to do with it. And could be viewed, in fact, as detracting from it ...
This "rule" or better, etiquette, is somewhat subjective and ultimately up to the author. As a result, for example, on your own post, you can write whatever you may wish. I just want you to be aware that writing this here, as you have done, can be frowned upon and would create a new problem for you, if written on the wrong post ...
As you might think you were writing to a fellow Hivian with a potentially "sympathetic ear," it is understandable. Please take this bit of advice, to improve your chances of success, as written to help you accomplish just that. And nothing more ...
If you wish to comment on this further, I would suggest you do it in a reply here, linked to my original attempt to help and encourage you. Just make sure to include @roleerob in it somewhere and I will be notified ...
"Thank you, @roleerob, for pointing out the importance of relevancy in comments. I value your insight and will make sure to focus my contributions on the content at hand. Your guidance is truly appreciated."
I always feel refreshing seeing the landscape changing colors due to information and weather. And the lakes that you have described, Vaughn Lake in the photo looks as if it is the eye of the earth.
Yes, @himalayanwomb. "refreshing" is a good word. In the "great outdoors," I believe man experiences his proper place in relation to the big, wide world in which he lives. These lakes and clear running mountain streams are a vitally important part of that experience. It is, indeed, refreshing, soothing, restorative ...
Thank you for stopping by and sharing your perspective! 👋
I respect your thoughts and words. Because I myself roam in the mountains, posts about summits always attract me.