Last week we rode a favorite Forest Service trail from Rock Creek to Big Ridge. For the first time this year, we reached the ridgetop at 11,000 feet with views of the mountain peaks in the High Uinta Wilderness Area. 
The 20mph (at least) wind flapped Daisy's ears, but she had her nose in the air, reveling in scents from miles away.
Steve really got into taking photos of the tundra flowers.
He did very well, don't you think? 
He found this lovely catepillar on the tundra, too. We've never seen one so high.
The animals always have some interesting interactions. Daisy is competing with Mischief for a treat.
On the way down, we saw a bull elk in the aspens. If you enlarge the photo, you'll see that his antlers are still in velvet.
Daisy took every opportunity to cool off. But then, she is a lab, and labs love water, no matter the temperature.The flower photography spree continued, but I'll have to share those beauties another day.
In all, we rode 16 miles with over 4000 feet altitude gain and loss. The boys (as we refer to the horses) were probably glad to get back to the barn.
For views from other worlds, click here.
Great photos of the alpine meadow. Yes, you have to get on your belly to see the belly flowers.
ReplyDeletewowza
ReplyDeletethe catepillar, the bull elk in the aspens(love it), you and daisy and mischief with the panoramic view of the snow topped mountains...wow.
beautiful captures and i immensely enjoyed all.
Fabulous shots! What a beautiful place! Love the flowers and the catepillar! colorful little guy, isn't he? Great shots of the elk, too. Your lab reminds me of our dog who takes every opportunity to go with us to the Sound and swim. Lovely horses, too!
ReplyDeleteI love the photo of Daisy being king of the castle, but no so much the caterpillar - I don't know why but they really give me the heeby jeebies.
ReplyDeleteJanie: Neat photos from a great place.
ReplyDeleteI have to say again how interesting and fascinating your world is. Oh I love Daisy! How old is she?
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and a very interesting post. I look forward to seeing more of the pictures.
ReplyDeleteJanie, I envy you your hosreback rides in the mountains. What a perfect day. (sigh!)
ReplyDeleteHorses are certainly a great way to get yourself up the trail. I love the ridges of mountains in the background and the smile on Daisy's face. Was your ride near Soldier Summit or north toward Roosevelt?
ReplyDeleteGreat macros of the wildflowers. I've only been up high a few times but it always amazing the flowers that grow up there and how adapted they are to the area. They are all built real low to get out of the wind I guess.
ReplyDeleteI love aspen groves. Aspen with an elk in them is a bonus.
These are all wonderful shots. The tundra flowers are so beautiful and the view in the one where Daisy's ears were flapping is so beautiful. I enjoy seeing the shots you all take so much.
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful ride! How big was that caterpillar? And the elk, what a photo op. We went camping up on the Manti on the 4th. We had deer wandering through our camp all week. My grandkids even got to see a brand new spotted fawn
ReplyDeleteall in one trip Amazing
ReplyDeleteEwok: Daisy is almost 3. She's been on the trail with us since she was about 9 months, gradually working up to longer rides. Her paws are incredibly tough, and she can go all day as long as she has water to cool off in.
ReplyDeleteKay: The caterpillar was maybe 2 inches long. He looked healthy!
Leenie: We live in Roosevelt, and the ride is NW of us, with the trailhead in the Rock Creek drainage.
This seemed like a lovely way to spend the day. The vista was magnificent. Steve did a good job taking pics of the flowers too. I like the blue ones.
ReplyDeleteI like the photo of daisy with her ears flapping in the wind - she looks like she's having a doggy-good time. I won't ask who won the treats contest, but my money's on Mischief! (In truth, my educated guess is that it was a win-win).
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your treks with us. Our whole family really enjoys your beautiful posts.
ReplyDeleteHappy treking indeed. Nature's beauty is so abundant: the wild flowers, the caterpillar (a huge one), and countless others to enjoy. Daisy is such a cutie. I have enjoyed riding along with you and company.
ReplyDeleteThese are all so exciting. I love Daisy's ears. How did she react to the caterpillar? That's an unusual one for me. Steve did great with the flowers. I sure do like all these shots. Those animals were good to oblige the camera for us this week.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful ride you all had, Janie. Was it cold up on that mountain??? The flowers were so pretty--and that caterpillar was neat.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your horses WERE glad to get back to the barn...
Hugs,
Betsy
Those alpine flowers are fabulous, nice job Steve. Nice to be able to ride high up now that snow is gone. Daisy always looks happy and content on your rides. My lab also loved the water.
ReplyDeleteAmazing! Not sure if I've ever been that high up. It must be the most peaceful place/feeling. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Janie
ReplyDeleteGreetings to you from Coimbatore, India.This is my fist visit to your blog.Great writeup of the Tundra adventure & wonderful photographs of the mountains,the tundra flowers and the elk. I was breeding labs for a few years and have a great love for them.Daisy must be a great companion on such trips.
Loved your blog and will be following you. you are welcome to visit my blog.
Bye for now.Have a great day.
Ram
Hi Janie. This is Ram from Coimbatore. I had sent my comments earlier from my wife Shobha's id.She does not have a blog.You may visit my blog at this site.
ReplyDeleteRegards
I can't get over all the beauty that surrounds your life Janie.
ReplyDeleteThe caterpillar is as colourful as the wild flowers in the meadow. Steve did was doing a very good job!
Your outdoor life fascinates me non-stop! The elks are as equally as interesting as any forest habitats.
daisy and mischief sure are having a great time!
ReplyDeletedo bring them over to Pet Pride
My world is just so darned small when I veiw yours. It is breathetaking in every sense.
ReplyDeleteawesome scenery! Daisy, Mischief and the elk are gorgeous. i love the distinct colors of the caterpillar. cheers from Bangkok!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely great shots!
ReplyDeleteI'm just sitting here, in the middle of the desert, imagining myself in your world :)
Gorgeous vistas, Janie. You and Steve are so fortunate to live in a area with such spectacular views. You were almost high enough to touch the clouds.
ReplyDeleteThe wildflowers you photographed are absolutely beautiful, I have never seen anything like them.
Thanks for another delightful journey through your wonderful world.
Great phot of an elk! reminds of the trails I used to hike in Colorado Rocky Mountains. Greetings from Poland!
ReplyDeleteOh, do I ever wish I could be there too! Photographong tundra flora means getting down and dirty, after all, big is not always best. Daisy certainly was enjoying the view and definitely the scents on th air. Great post.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! Loved the wildflower shots and the scenery, the *boys* and Daisy and WOW!
ReplyDeletewhat great scenery, and wow that was one big caterpillar he did good for sure.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful ride -- thanks for taking us along. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThat caterpillar does look rather large in the photo, I guess 2" is big enough. Daisy is just so cute, always! :) And yes, Steve did a great job with the flower photos! Awesome pics of the bull elk - I did enlarge to see his antlers.
ReplyDeleteWow! Tour on a horse back! This was great.
ReplyDeleteHi Janie,
ReplyDeleteLoved this spectacular ride and all your glorious scenery - large views (Mountains) and small (Tundra flowers). Daisy and "the boys" deserved to be tired after your long ride. Will look forward to your other wildflower pics.
What fun!! The wildflower photos certainly are wonderful, too.
ReplyDeleteI spent last week at 600 feet in elevation in the 100 degree Oklahoma heat, LOL.
My Roscoe looks like Daisy, but doesn't act like her at all. Seriously, how much would it take for you to have him...like I'll crate him up, fly him down and you train him. I wish he were like her. (Beautiful country as always).
ReplyDelete