Routt National Forest: The Frog King

 Last Thursday I headed out with a good friend of mine from Poudre Canyon to Routt National Forest + Cameron Pass and hiked up to the base of Never Summer Range.  Our purpose in this hike was (for me) to learn mindfulness and for my friend (to fight addiction).  I'm not sure about you, but I always like to set out on a mountain journey with some purpose (whether it be to find my mind or lose it).  Honestly, though, the true purpose of this saunter didn't hit me until about mid-hike, when my friend encouraged me to listen to nature.  Prior to that, I just wanted to see a moose at the creek bed or maybe a Rock Marmot (please, stop and YouTube Rock Marmot right this minute...you'll thank me later..).

However, being a city girl from the South, I'm not completely aware of my surroundings like you should be in Colorado. And, I'll be the first to admit...I don't know the musky smell of a moose or a mountain lion.  I wouldn't know if I was hunted.  Kind of like that guy in Boulder, CO, who was attacked by a mountain lion.  And, I don't always look to get my photographic memory bearings and know my surroundings before stopping to take a picture.  I'll see something beautiful and pull out my camera and get lost in the beauty.  But, these are all wilderness trails, and trust me, you can AND will get lost and completely turned around if you're not mindful all the time.  

So, now I find myself 41, still, an avid adventurer and day hiker "fire fairy"of the mountains, and JUST now becoming aware of the world around me (in a way that is hard to explain).  Instead of "street smarts," think "mountain smarts."  This hike was so captivating.  It was playfully skimming the one, maybe two clouds atop the mountain horizon.  I tasted THE purest mountain water from magical melted snow caps.  I saw fluttering butterflies as the sun gleamed through the tall happy trees, huge mushrooms, gold sprinkled creek rocks, adorable rabbits, chattering squirrels, a coyote, and some moose and mountain lion tracks.  Sadly, no spotting of any rock marmot, guys.  Maybe next time.  However, check out the "snow damned dam" snaps I took!

Additionally, the day started with a drive by of a lama farm, so I mean, c'mon, I just knew it was going to be a pretty stellar day from there on out.  One memory I will forever take from this hike, forever etched in my memory is the mountain frogs.  While hiking, we heard these ATV's coming up the mountain.  We were in a frog symphony mediation moment when these ATV's completely sound raped the land.  After they trekked on through, the mountains were so quiet you could hear a gnat fart.  My friend was so super bummed the zen-like meditations had ceased.  So, in jest, I suggested, since his animal sounds, specifically his highly convincing persuasive croak was so on point, that he simply lead the mountain marsh frog symphony with his maestro queue.  And, he did!  And, right after my crony's convincing croak, the entire marsh lit up in the most fantastic nymph-like white noise.  I took one recording of and will forever love and grin to this melodic enchantment.  It was simply amazing.  And, my friend is forever, "The Frog King!"  The End.  

What is your favorite mountain saunter memory?  I'd love to hear about it.  Unless it involves, "he got a real pretty mouth ain't he?" or "squeal like a pig..."