Mt Evans, Colorado - A Quest For Mt Goat Kids
Kenai helped us spot the Mountain Goats.
Sitka ever vigilant at the campsite
This is our third trip here to Echo Lake Campground at the the base of Mt Evans about 13-14 miles from Idaho Springs, Colorado. The campground is at an elevation of 10,600 feet and from this location one can drive the Highest Roadway in the United States to the summit of Mt. Evans located at 14,130 feet above sea level. At the summit, during late June and the first part of July, the Mountain Goats stop by the summit to lick the mineral deposits. What makes this a joy is watching the little Mountain Goat Kids romping about getting the feel of the rocks under their hoofs.
Mountain goats are not true goats—but they are close relatives. They are more properly known as goat-antelopes. These surefooted beasts inhabit many of North America's most spectacular alpine environments. They often appear at precipitous heights, from Alaska to the U.S. Rocky Mountains, showcasing climbing abilities that leave other animals, including most humans, far below. Mountain goats have cloven hooves with two toes that spread wide to improve balance. Rough pads on the bottom of each toe provide the grip of a natural climbing shoe. Mountain goats have distinctive beards and long, warm coats to protect them from cold temperatures and biting mountain winds. Their dazzling white coats provide good camouflage on the snowy heights. During the more moderate summer season goats shed this coat. Mountain Goats are believed to have evolved from ancestors who lived in the Himalayas and their recent ancestors crossed the Bering Strait from Asia to North America.
This year the goats did not disappoint.
July 1, 2018
We left home at about 0830 and headed south on I-25, making a quick stop at Cabela’s to get The Boys for a walk and us a break. From there we continued south to I-70 and headed west. As usual, we run into traffic and have about 5 miles of 10 MPH driving. Traffic was slow going. When we got to Colorado 130, we got off the interstate and headed up 13 miles up hill to the Echo Lake Campground.
The area by Echo Lake Lodge was packed with people and there was a line to access the Mt. Evans Road. We finally made the campground entrance and were greeted by the Host. This is our third time here so we got the short version of what was happening. Looks like there will be a total fire ban starting tomorrow. We are in campsite #6 and I backed right in, must be getting better at this backing thing. We got camp established and took The Boys for a walk. While on our walkabout we located two geocaches, always fun and did chat with some fellow hikers. Our trail took us by the front of the Echo Lake Lodge where The Boys were a hit. The campsite is at 10,650 feet, so air is thin and we are taking it easy this afternoon.
Our campsite is shady but looks like the roof mounted solar array will get good morning sun, we may have to pull out the portable one for afternoon power.
We had a simple meal of some chili we had packed up for camping. When we have a 2 serving amount of leftovers, we have been packaging and freezing for camping trips. We made several laps of the campground and are trying to hydrate as much as we can to acclimatize to the altitude.
July 2, 2018-
We had a good nights sleep expect for Kenai as I think he has a touch of Altitude Sickness. We got up and 0500 and were on the road to the Mt. Evans summit at 0530. Parts of the road seem better as compared to last year, and some areas were just as bad. Arriving at the summit we found a nice stiff breeze blowing. Soon the Mtn Goats and some Rocky Mountain Sheep arrived. We got some good pictures and The Boys waited patiently in the truck, as there were several goats in the area. I would estimate we saw 30-40 goats and about 8 sheep.
The little kids are my favorite to photo as they seem pretty darn spunky. The adults are molting and loosing their winter coats.
The flowers were great, need to get a guide book for definitive ID's
After the action settled down and the goats laid down, we headed back down the mountain. It was nice not to have a lot of traffic.
Back at camp we made a French Toast breakfast and settled in for a lazy “get used to altitude” kinda day. We took The Boys for several short lazy strolls, and Kenai is acting more like himself. He is drinking plenty of water and we are feeding him small amounts food several times.
We broke out the Hobo/CampPie Irons and made toasted ham and cheese for lunch. After lunch we took a stroll over to the Echo Lake Lodge where they have several Humming Bird feeders. We took a few photos and then back to camp.
A good deal of time today was spent reading for a future trip in January. We also hung the hammocks for a little R&R.
Dinner was beans and hotdogs. Yes are meals are rather simple this trip as afternoon weather can usually mean showers, so our meals are simple one pot affairs. Yes, the afternoon clouds rolled in but no rain at this time.
July 3, 2018
We slept in till 0600, well The Boys were up at 0500. We got things together and were on the road to Mt. Evans Summit by 0615. The delayed time was good as yesterday the sun was blinding on some of the switch backs.
It was cold and windy on the summit and better gloves sure made the difference. Today I put on the 150-600mm lens to give it a try. All in all, I was very happy with the results. I did not use a monopod as it would really slow one down trying to get some photos and scrambling over the rocks. Initially there were just a couple goats, but I got lucky and found a Pika who was rather cooperative in letting me photo him. Sadly, the Pika population are dropping as the planet is warming, the mountains are not as cold as they need to be for the little guys.
Pikas have brown and black fur. The fur is colored to camouflage with rocks. Pika fur is thick to keep them warm in the winter. During the summer, they put on a much lighter coat of fur--however, the fur is still thick enough that a pika might overheat if exposed to very high heat for long periods of time.
We were ready to pull out at about 0800, but a couple guys pulled in next to us. Diesel Truck is rather smokey when started at elevation so we politely waited for them to get their hiking gear together before starting down. Well that was 30 min later, and it was to the point of amusement as they packed and repacked several times, trying to decide what was needed for their hike.
On the way down we did make a stop and found another Geocache.
Back at camp we got things together and changed into cooler clothes. Pancakes and bacon were for our brunch.
Our solar panel is really keeping the batteries charged and we have yet to reply the additional portable panel. We continue to have the expected problems with our refrigerator on propane. It will work throughout the day, but as things cool off at night it quits, and we will have to start it the next morning.
We made a trip into Idaho Springs, Colorado, cruised the main drag filled with shops and restaurants. We made a stop at Safeway for some sweet corn to have on on the 4th with our burgers. Then we topped off Diesel Truck with fuel and learned there is a 50% chance of rain tomorrow. Also most of the public fireworks displays have been canceled.
The skies looked like rain but just got a little sprinkle. Dinner was cooked inside and we had steak fajitas. The boys got several laps around the camp ground as the rain threatened, but never came.
Seems like as the sun goes down we are ready for bed, but we have been getting up rather early each day.
July 4, 2018 - INDEPENDENCE DAY
0100 Kenai had to go for a walk. We did get back to sleep and woke at about 0600. At 0630, we started the generator to make some drip coffee and got things together for a breakfast of biscuits and gravy.
After breakfast we went for a hike along Echo Lake, about 2.5 miles. The Boys got to meet other dogs and the trail was less crowded than we expected. The entrance to the Mt. Evans road was backed up with about 20-25 cars, glad we did not drive up to the summit this morning.
Last year we observed a pair of Double-crested Cormorants and this year we did get to see one drying his wings. There may have been another across the lake. I am just amazed to see these birds here.
After our morning hike we made burgers for lunch. The afternoon was spent reading and walking The Boys. Our evening meal was corn on the cob and apple pie made in the Hobo pie makers. There is a total ban on all fires, wood and charcoal, even in fire rings. Stoves are ok at this time.
The temperatures are warmer than we expected and the afternoon showers have not developed.
The plan for tomorrow is to head to the top of the mountain again. Thus far I have been happy with the photos on this trip.
July 5, 2018 -
Up and at um and we headed up the hill. This morning there were the most Mountain Sheep we have seen thus far, a group of about 10-12. The Mountain Goats were also out in force with probably 40 observed during our time at the summit. The kids are so bouncy and just plain fun to photograph. The yearlings and mature goats are now molting and it is in many ways rather pretty. There were two billy goats that chased some of the sheep away. The Pika made a brief appearance in the distance and was a bit camera shy.
Back down the hill and made breakfast as the clouds built to the west, looking the most threatening of this whole trip, so we made sure we got several laps in with The Boys in the event we are camper bound this afternoon.
We did get a bit of rain accompanied by some thunder. This is when we really appreciate our camper over a tent.
