CUMBRES & TOLTEC NARROW GUAGE RAILROAD ADVENTURE

On a sunny summer morning, August 2014,  we took the historic ride on the Cumbres & Toltec steam train from Antonito, CO to Chama, NM. The train runs over 10,015 ft. through the Cumbres Pass in the San Juan Mountains and is the highest narrow gauge steam railroad in the United States.

The morning started out warm, bright and sunny as we boarded and chugged through toward Chama with clear views and elevation increasing.
It doesn't take long for most of the passengers to leave their seats inside and join up in the open air Gondola car to enjoy the scenic country side and listen to the very knowledgeable docent tell railroad tales and relate much of the history of the narrow gauge and the colorful background of the "old west'.

As we climbed, the scenery became more beautiful and the clouds increased. We passed through Sublette station built in 1880 snapping shots from our digital cameras and cell phones and contemplating what a difference 134 years can reflect.

Entering Rock Tunnel

Through the gorge 

We climb through the rock tunnel toward Cumbres Pass and view striking Toltec Gorge.  A lovely abundant buffet lunch is served in Osier after which we wind down for the last hour or so to Chama.  Rain falls as is typical in the afternoon here. The return trip is by bus back to Antonito.

Returning train in distance

Rio Los Pinos Valley  

Kissing Man & Woman

Approaching Osier for Lunch 

CHAMA Station

'View from bus window return trip

Upon leaving Antonito the next morning, wanted a pastoral view of a typical scene in Colorado, horses grazing peacefully. 

Noticed as I got closer, that the horse had his head stuck in the barbed wire fence.












Jim came over to free him and the horse back away and then quickly returned for a thank you pat with the other horses acknowledging, then free to all retreat back into the pasture......

All while the big bull looked on.

ICE LAKE, SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS, COLORADO

Of the many hikes enjoyed from the Canadian Rockies, Sierra Nevada range, to AZ, NM, UT, and beyond, most are wonderful, and a few remain outstanding and part of a memory of the heart.  Ice Lake is one of those.  On a mid August day when alpine wild flowers were dazzling the peaks, we took on this beautiful experience.

The 2500 gain 7 mile round trip hike is steep for sure but shaded much of the way with refreshing stream crossings.

First stream crossing ICE LAKE trail

The morning was bright and sunny as is often the way of the Rockies and San Juans with accumulating clouds as the day moves into late afternoon. 

The first 3 miles or so are a challenging climb, but the astounding beauty of the peaks in red/green to the east and granite to the west make for moments of awe and silence spurring one on to the next vista.

It was a warm day with mountain breezes to ameliorate the constant climbing and the increasing wild flowers gave us pause for rest and photos.

Lizard Head

 

LLama Guanocos being trekked in

The trail flattens out toward the end with a final stream crossing and steep rocky climb to gorgeous ICE LAKE.   As we were approaching our final destination, those returning kept saying the same thing, "Keep going, its worth it!"  As if we would even consider not moving forward?!  When we arrived,  there was a sense of elation and gratitude with others there exclaiming their excitement for the experience of this outstanding grandeur, stating as we felt also that this was a very special place.

Columbine

ICE LAKE

Blue Columbine

Upon arrival and viewing Ice Lake for the first time is a glorious experience.  The water is truly a turquoise blue with deeper  blue shades as clouds pass over and light changes.  The lake area was much cooler than the pass leading there.  We wanted to linger, but the winds were whipping up and clouds forming indicating that thunder storms may be on their way.  We drank in the gorgeousness and headed back.  Of course the walk back down was more cooling and easier to savor the views,  and stayed clear of rain.  The lightning caught us though after just getting back on the paved road safely in the car with our memories of a spectacular experience intact.

More detailed information can be found at www.hikingwalking.com   reference Ice Lake

DESERT SPRING FLOWER WALKS 2014

Blooming Joshuas Lake Palmdale early March

After just a small amount of rain, we had a more than fair amount of wildflower blooms.  Early March started the show and its still going on.








 On the way to Saddleback Butte State Park,  Goldfield carpet the desert floor.

Goldfields

                                 
                                         

Calstrop

March's bright blue desert sky

Wild Blue Flax

Dune Evening Primrose 

 

Dune Evening Primrose

Snow capped San Gabriels

Tansy Carpet

Tinytips

 ANAVERDE HILLS WILDFLOWERS

Poppies

Paintbrush

Baby Blue Eyes

Baby Blue Eyes

ANTELOPE VALLEY POPPY RESERVE

Much Rarer Yellow Poppies