Another Hike; You guys make me look at things differently

[amroc]

Went on another hike yesterday. This time to the top of a Fort Collins landmark, Horsetooth Rock. It's a fairly short hike, just 5 or so miles round trip, but I have never done it. I'm starting to become more and more outdoorsy after dropping 50 lbs total.

BUT! With this sub-forum having a survival theme too it, I see things a lot differently now. Along the trail, I see bugs and animals, and think that I can eat them if need be. I see fallen logs, dried out ready to burn. I saw a few pine trees downed, with fatwood cores. I see a cave, and think of it as shelter.

Now, onto the pictures.

The front of the park. I'm lucky enough to live in an area where we voted to increase taxes on ourselves, to preserve our natural areas and their beauty.

That's where I'm going. I took this picture from my car while driving.

Anyone else see a pile of firewood?

Ants. Big and winged. Any idea what kind?

Cont...

 

[amroc]

Anyone know what kind this is, either?

It's beautiful, but it can be dangerous.

Shelter if need be. Careful of animals though.

Cool formation. The Hogs back, and part of it is the Devils Backbone. Plates ran into each other, one went up, while one went down. Devils Backbone is on the list of hike locales, and has much more exposed rock formations.

View from the top of the rocks. In the picture up top, I'm standing on top of the rock on the far right. Elevation gain of about 1400 ft from the trail head. About 2000 ft from where I took the top picture.

Hell yeah! Even with the pack, I'm about 30 lbs lighter than I was a year ago, easily.

If ya look closely, you can spot two knives. BM710, and a CS SRK in Carbon-V. I was watching others on the trail, and I didn't see a single knife. Even when I hike a short trail, I carry a small fixed blade. Thanks for looking, and for twisting my mind into seeing things differently!

 

[Mrs.Shotgunner11]

Very nice pics! I want to get back to Colorado so bad! One of these days.

 

[eloreno]

Thanks for the pictures. Congratulations on the weight loss! Good job!!

 

[gundude73]

that looks like some nice country, i liked colorado springs when i visited there last summer. :thumbup:

 

[333rm]

Those are some great pics of your hike! Also, congrats on your weight loss. I absolutely love Colorado, last time I was there I was in Colorado Springs whick I love.

 

[mainewoods]

Great Pics Amroc Looks like A great place Thanks for sharing!

 

[MikeyJ]

We are lucky to live in such a beautiful state. My fam and I are hiking the Wild Basin Trail on Monday. I'll have to post some pics when we get back too.

Thanks for sharing yours though. My boots haven't hit that trail yet, but now it's on my list!

 

[Mistwalker]

Great pics man, awesome views! Congrats on the weight loss.

Always great to go back to a place and see it from a different perspective.

I always carry at least a small fixed blade on a trail too.

 

[JV3]

nice pics! yup, hiking with the intention of practicing bushcraft & survival skills forces you to pay more attention to details...and that has a very positive effect on other parts of our lives as well. photography does the same thing which is another one of my hobbies.

 

[monsterdog]

Looks awesome. Spent my honeymoon in Estes Park, the Colorado rockies are possibly the most beautiful place I've ever set foot.

 

[Doc13]

Nice pics and nice views..keep the pics commin' :thumbup:

 

[fmrranger]

Great pics! That Ft. Collins/Loveland area is some beautiful country, I used to spend some time around there and would like to get back down there for awhile one of these days. Congrats on loosing the weight and also for being more aware of what's going on around you.

 

[termiteslayer]

One of the role models I've had did a hell of a lot of stuff in that area.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gill_(climber)
This is the guy that made it okay to climb really, really, REALLY hard stuff. He's a legend that most of today's climbers don't have a clue about. He's da man!
It's a beautiful place... man do I ever miss Colorado.

 

[amroc]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKc5hIerziI

I took a video from the summit to show a better view.

 

[termiteslayer]

That video just made me so homesick I almost want to cry.
I'm going for a drive now out to the So. Cal. pimples that everyone here calls the mountains.
Ugghh! I gotta get outta this place... driving me freakin' nutzo.

 

[amroc]

That video just made me so homesick I almost want to cry.
I'm going for a drive now out to the So. Cal. pimples that everyone here calls the mountains.
Ugghh! I gotta get outta this place... driving me freakin' nutzo.

I'm headed that way this next week. I'll be in irvine for a few days. I miss the beach, specifically Mission beach.

 

[termiteslayer]

"I'm headed that way this next week. I'll be in irvine for a few days. I miss the beach, specifically Mission beach."
I just went to O.B. yesterday to get some leather to make a sheath and it took me 40 minutes to find a parking spot. I could have paid $10 to park but won't out of principle.
I don't think M.B. is much better.

So, I just discovered that my 'secret' spot in the hills isn't so secret anymore. I forgot that from this holiday until Labor Day (I think Labor Day is about when it ends) the California hills are absolutely infested with bipeds.
God... what a zoo.
Maybe it's time to move to Alaska.

 

[MustardMan]

Great shots - I'm actually thinking about heading up to Horsetooth tomorrow to do some climbing. This is an awesome time of year to live in CO - warm days and nice cold nights for camping. Love it!

 

[MikeyJ]

Great shots - I'm actually thinking about heading up to Horsetooth tomorrow to do some climbing. This is an awesome time of year to live in CO - warm days and nice cold nights for camping. Love it!

Man, this is the BEST time of year to live in Colorado!! I'm not sure I could ever leave! We have Gods biggest playground right in our backyard! I consider myself lucky...