Homeschool Hike: Bobcat Ridge

First Fridays of the month are hiking outings for our homeschool group.  The hikes are scheduled to last from 11 -1 pm.  We of course were moving on Owen and Colin time, so we arrived at the parking lot at the Bobcat Ridge natural area at 11:55.  Only to notice a number of signs that looked like this:

So.  We had to turn around, head home (about a 20 minute drive), drop off poor Abby, and go back.  We were on the trail at 12:55.  Just in time to wave hello to all of our friends who were coming off of the trail... Oh well!  We had a very nice time anyway...

This was Colin's first hike.  Much to my shame... I don't recall even hiking with him when I carried him in the Bjorn - other than a walking path in AR, at Hot Springs NP., during our vacation last October.  We love this backpack though... It is a Deuter Kid Comfort II - and it is awesome!!  We bought it when Rylan was one, and I love wearing it. 

It was just about the perfect day for hiking.  Mid seventies and a bit breezy, which helps to keep you feeling comfortable when you start to get warm from the exercise.  The trail begins with this wide paved part, that goes up to the picnic structure that you can see in the distance.  When we arrived there, three women on horseback came by and rested for a bit.  They invited the kids to pet the horses - which they thought was pretty neat.  We had a quick lunch and then got on the dirt trail.

The trail was very nice - groomed and even... with the grass trimmed along the edges.  I love that because this is prime rattlesnake habitat, and we had a run-in with one two years ago... so I am always skittish on hikes now.  And the little guy pictured above is our wanderer - which only heightens my unease...  He could not stay out of the tall grass.  He's a curious, headstrong kid, so I can't blame him, but every single one of my gray hairs belong to him.

Jordan spotted these treasures along the edge of the trail as we went along.  First he found what appears to be the cranial portion of a skull that looks to be from a deer, and then he found the jaw bone.  Again, I think it is from a deer.  Jordan made the observation that the teeth were 'wide and flat', so that must mean it is an herbivore.  (YES!!!)  I let him keep the jaw bone, because that is just too cool - and he could look at the teeth under the microscope.  We later came across another hiker carrying a leg bone - so there must have been several in the area, and quite possibly all from the same carcass.

We stopped to listen to the sound of the wind blowing through the grass.  Just a constant, soft rustling sound.  Loved it.  At the top of the ridge, you can see evidence of the wildfire that came through here in 2000. 

We compared the sound of the wind in the grass to the sound of the wind moving through the needles of this massive Ponderosa Pine tree.  Jordan remarked that it sounded like a screaming banshee.  I sort of agree.  I have never liked the sound either - it just sounds lonely, and a little eerie.  Beautiful tree though!!



Sand Lily

 This little gem was named "lwf" (little white flower) until I got home and could look it up.  Found an awesome identification site for Colorado wildflowers, to help me out.



Black-billed Magpie



Vesper Sparrow

 I finally got to put to use my bird identification book.  I was certain I was hearing the call of a meadowlark when I was looking at what I later identified as the Vesper Sparrow.  They have a very pretty call.  It was difficult to get a good shot of them - they take off in a heartbeat.

We reached our turn-around point at what I think was a little over a half-mile from the trail head.  Owen would not have been able to go on much further, and still be able to walk all the way back.  I am sure this distance will improve over the summer.  The hiking trail is part of a much larger loop, and there is a cabin that is 1.2 miles from the trail head.  Jordan was there just a few short months ago, when he joined in on a hike with his prospective Boy Scout troop, so he was able to tell us about it.

I placed my sunglasses alongside this hoof print to give perspective to the actual size.  You should actually hike with a quarter in your pocket for just this purpose.  The track belongs to an elk.  It's been there for awhile, the definition was not as apparent by this point.  I spared you the picture of elk scat.  You're welcome.


Crustose Lichens

 Three different colors are present here.  The brown lichen looked like wet dirt up close - so I am not sure the brown could be classified as a crustose lichen.  In Rylan's opinion, it was "dis-GUST-ing'.

I am happy to report that the good spirits stayed with us for the entire outing.  What troopers!!