Coyote Ridge

Another great ride through wide open country starts just north of Currant Creek Reservoir, at about 8000 feet, and heads up various 2 tracks and elk trails along Coyote Ridge toward Scotty's Basin. 

The terrain is mostly open, passing through meadows where old beaver dams have created terraces of rich soil.  A few pools still exist, perfect for Daisy swims.  Of course, Daisy isn't particular.  A mud puddle works just fine for her. 

We also rode near lakes surrounded by aspen.  We could hear the boreal frogs' high-pitched croaks as we passed by.

Glacier lilies (also known as Dogtooth Violets) were abundant at 9000 feet where the snow has recently melted.  Spring Beauty, Buttercups, and a few Bluebells were also in bloom. 

A bluebird flew out of this cavity (above my hand) in a dead aspen.  With a light, we were able to see a single pale blue egg in there.  We moved off to try to glimpse the bluebird again, but he/she didn't return while we waited.

A female blue grouse sat on an aspen branch.  We usually see them flying up from brush on the ground, but the bird book says they often feed on newly opened leaf buds in the spring. 

We saw several deer and a lot of elk as we climbed steadily uphill.  About the time we came to the edge of the melting snow, we spotted a herd of about 60 cow and yearling elk going over the ridge (about 10,000 ft) above us.  Most elk in these parts have been hunted, and don't much like humans.  They are intent on avoiding any interaction with our kind.   When we saw the entire herd, they were 1000 yards away, keeping their distance!  In national parks, a person can walk right up to elk, but not here.

Here's Steve's video that shows the elk moving over the snow to the top of the ridge.  He mentions that we "drove" the elk during our ride.  That was inadvertent on our part.  We just rode, and they ran ahead.  We had no idea the whole herd was moving ahead of us until we came out of the aspens and saw them on the ridge.
In keeping with Coyote Ridge's name, we saw 2 coyotes up on the snow, apparently trailing the elk herd as calving season approaches.