The CCC trail to Black Ridge is one of the shorter trails in the Colorado National Monument. I am not sure that short equals easy, particularly if you are breaking a trail in new fallen snow. The trail goes constantly up. In truth, I am not even sure I found the trail for the last 2/10 mile. But what I am sure of is the 360 degree beauty seen from the spine of Black Ridge as I stood knee deep in unbroken snow drifts. What a beautiful hike.
I hiked today after half day of work – spent largely at a desk – in a heated building. It took me no more than an hour to go up and back. I had on snow outerwear and the benefit of brilliant midday sunshine.
What would it be like in June, after a day of hard labor in the blistering sun, to hike .75 mile up to get my portion of chow and tent and bedroll? Would I notice the beauty? How about the winter time?
I made a giant loop in two-foot snow drifts and met up with my original trail. My footprints appeared small in the vast scheme of things. I joined the trail at the very place where, on my way up, I became acutely aware of my size and solitude. When I left the paved road at the trailhead, it was apparent no humans had passed this way for at least two snowfalls. Noticeably absent were the tracks of other rodents. No cottontail, only one mouse. No deer. I wondered if desert big horn used this trail. Then I noticed the trees, the plentiful hiding places for predators. You can bet desert bighorn would avoid this trail. They prefer wide open spaces, less opportunity for skulking and lurking. So what am I doing here? Suddenly my ears were attuned to each sound, every footfall. Further, I recollected that CCC Trail joins Black Ridge Trail. Black Ridge Trail was closed for a couple weeks last summer due to; well, due to a mountain lion.
Nevertheless, I pressed on, comforting myself by rehearsing the rules: 1) Make yourself look bigger. 2) Be firm and in charge. 3) Hike in broad daylight – cats prefer the dusk and dawn (unless, of course, they are very hungry…). So far, so good. I still agree with the young female ranger who said, “Cherry, there are some things you will never get to do if you wait for someone to do them with.”
On the other hand, there are some things you cannot do by yourself even in broad daylight. Despite my love of independence and self-reliance, I had to ask for help to check my brake lights.