[cobirds] 4th of July Trail - Arapahoe Glacier, Boulder County

Cobirds:

              More high country shenanigans.   From 4th of July Trailhead, on the 4th of July, in Indian Peaks Wilderness - Boulder County.  Approximate elevations 9,500 to 12,300 feet.  End at Arapahoe Glacier Overlook at 12,300.

 

Fantastic colors and views today.  Wildflowers are peaking everywhere.

 

Bird highlights:

 

White Tailed Ptarmigan - only 1 on this trip, but it from 4 feet away and showed no fear.  Great photo ops.  (Note: saw and heard 11 on the Mount Audubon Trail last weekend). 

 

Brown capped rosy finches - only 3

 

Fox sparrow - 3 singing

 

Horned lark - above 12,000 feet - 1

 

American pipit - 16 - skylarking

 

Cassin's finch - 2 - both singing - one looked like its head was dipped in bright vermillion paint

 

Pine grosbeak - 2

 

Gray jay - 1

 

Clark's nutcracker - 4

 

White crowned sparrow - 14 - vigorously singing

 

Lincoln's sparrow - 6 singing

 

And:  Cordilleran flycatcher, Dusky flycatcher, Ruby crowned kinglet (lots), Audubon's warbler, Wilson's warbler. 

 

Pikas:  about 30

Marmots:  about 20 - and not afraid.

 

Too many flowers to name; many in bunches along the trail side including blue columbines, bluebells, yellow violets, violet shooting stars, alpine avens, alplily, marsh marigold, yellow glacier lily, drawf clover, parry primrose, elderberry, dandelions, American bistort, etc. etc.

 

To get to Arapahoe Glacier Trailhead - go to town of Eldora and beyond - when the road spits past Eldora go right and follow the sign that says "4th of July Trailhead" - go 4 miles on a rough nasty road to the parking area and start hiking from there.  Round trip to the overlook is about 8 miles - considerable elevation gain.  And you will need hiking gear. 

 

John T (Tumasonis) of Louisville CO

 

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