Sunday in the mountains, what else to wish for?

Some of you who follow this blog know how much I love this place. I’ve been here so many times, and I never get tired of coming back. Honestly, I don’t know another spot so close to Denver that lets you escape the summer heat and enjoy fresh mountain air on a light hike. And the flowers! 

 

Anyway, today I didn't have any special plans... Just to walk among the aspen trees and maybe find a few blooming surprises.

As usual, I was stunned by these eyes that follow you while you are passing by. A little eerie, but somehow I’ve grown to like them.

I followed the old road toward the mines, enjoying the fresh green leaves and bright flowers along the way

Love these small flowers growing on the sides of the roads there. But to be honest, I love all of them. And there are some from my previous visits - Big mountains and small flowers.

Nope, this photo isn't crooked... trees really do grow like that here! The wind shapes them, and while none are exactly straight, some lean much more than others.

As I walked deeper into the woods, the trail narrowed and the light dimmed. But at the end, I was rewarded with a wide, open view of distant snow-covered slopes. Totally worth it.

Of course, a friendly reminder to stay alert: I’ve never run into a bear here, but the claw marks on some trees say they’re around. Let’s hope we don’t cross paths!

Near the top of the hill, I found a massive bush of Rocky Mountain raspberries in bloom. The big, showy flowers were buzzing with bees, and I had a blast photographing them.

The views from up there? Just stunning. This is what I come for - to see those far-off snowy slopes and the hardy aspens standing tall against the wind.

The trees have to survive the tough weather and a lot of wind. But they succeeded!

On the way back to the car, I passed through more woods, keeping an eye out for wildflowers. Simple and beautiful. Every year is different, sometimes there are more, sometimes fewer, but I’m not complaining. And if you’re in the mood for more flowers, check this out - Some small gems....

Here’s a glimpse of what the forest looks like. The trees aren’t especially tall, but they grow close together, which makes sense - it’s how they survive the weather and wind.

And finally… a hummingbird! Some days they’re everywhere, other days I barely see one. Today was one of those quiet days. If you're curious to see more of these fast little flyers, here’s a post you might like - Small bird flies fast.

Still, I loved every moment, surrounded by birds, flowers, and that endless blue sky. Oh, and butterflies! Can’t forget the butterflies. 

And of course, more flowers from past visits here - Flowers of the mountains.

It was my first time here this year (don’t ask why, I’ve been asking myself that same question all day).

Well... if there are small birds, there must be some big ones too, right? And sure enough, a red-tailed hawk soared overhead, scanning the ground for a snack.

By then, I was tired and hungry, ready to head home. I said goodbye to the hummingbird and hit the road. That’s another thing I love about this place - it’s not far from Denver. I was home in no time, already thinking about my next trip back.

Oh, and in case you're wondering, this place doesn’t always look so cheerful. Sometimes it’s moody, gray, and colorless, but that has its own kind of charm too - Fall in the mountains. Colorless....

The text was proofread and improved by ChatGPT :)

Photos were taken on June 15, 2025.