The Grunwald's 2024 Christmas Tree Adventure

This morning Noelle, Sierra, Mom T and I made the drive north through Alliance to cut down the 2024 Grunwald Christmas tree. We got our permit online at Recreation.gov and were prepared with our saw and tie downs for this year's adventure. We stopped off at the Chadron City Ponds for a short walk 

before heading to our spot east of the Pine Ridge Job Corps complex. 

We parked the car in a grassy area off to the side of the road in a small ravine 

and headed up the ridge to have a look around. After about 20 minutes we found her: our latest Christmas tree.

I cut it down and we started to make our way back to the car. Mom was unable to make it up the ridge with us, so we stopped once we met up with her for a family photo.

We got the tree up on the roof of the car,

then headed back to Alliance for lunch at Ken and Dale's and beers at Brewery 719. With full bellies we made the drive home and set up our tree. She's a real beaut!

Bobcat Ridge Natural Area: Ginny and On The Rocks Trails

This morning I made the drive down to Fort Collins. I arrived at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area just as the nearly full moon was beginning to set behind the mountains.

I hit the trail and immediately started to ascend into the foothills. There were wonderful views in all directions.

As I ascended, I passed a few small deciduous trees still clinging to the last of their leaves.

The trail weaved into and out of the natural area and Roosevelt National Forest.

It also passed through an area that burned in last summer's Alexander Mountain Fire. There was charred wood and rocks stained with red fire retardant. 

Views opened up to Palisade Mountain and the higher peaks to the west. Soon enough I made it to the junction with the On the Rocks Trail. It's designed as a very difficult mountain biking trail, marked with black diamonds.

Like the trail's name would suggest, its route was extremely rocky.

I made it up into Mahoney Park and stopped to rest and enjoy the view for a bit.

Then it was a long descent on the Ginny Trail back to the trailhead.