Trip #7: The one with the Bighorn Sheep and Collegiate Peaks

COcamper

Trip #7: The one with the Bighorn Sheep and Collegiate Peaks

Dates: May 4-6, 2018
Route: Front Range / Denver -> San Isabel N.F., Arkansas River Valley
Highlights: The Collegiate Peaks. A secret unmapped hiking trail discovered through curiosity and exploration. Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep. 
Campsite: San Isabel National Forest (dispersed, boondock). Rating: Great. Shocked that dispersed campers were not out in force yet. Dispersed sites were clean and respected by prior campers. Scout any Forest Road ahead of pulling in a T@B. We're still winterized so this was dry camping. 
Lessons Learned: Persistence and flexibility pays off. After camping plans were foiled by crummy weather three weekends in a row, we saw a break and mobilized quickly to go where weather would allow hiking and exploring. Left Friday evening to get a great spot! 
Pics: 
Camp spot


Dogs feelin' at home at camp


Collegiate Peaks at dinnertime


We left Tuesday to hold down camp and went exploring after breakfast. Nearby, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep said hello. 


Did a little hike.


Visited a remote town.


Already looking forward to the next trip. 

Sharon_is_SAM

What a view!  And wildlife, too!

rkj__

Oh what wonderful pictures.  Thanks so much for sharing your adventure with us.  It looks like your dogs had a great time.

jkjenn

This is a great time to catch the Bighorn. I spent a few nights enjoying them along the Arkansas River between Granite and BV. Some nice shots of them at a relatively close distance. They seem to stick around through the first week or so of June before high tailing it back to the the higher country. I spent the summer out there and the dispersed campers dont come in full force until Father's Day. No breaks after that until fall.

4ncar

Bagged mt Yale in 1987. Must go back ... thanks for the memories.