Colorado Mines Pk & Mt. Flora

I hit the trail around 5:30ish, maybe earlier.  Bummed, I was hoping for an earlier start to be above treeline for sunrise.  I did catch some alpine glow on the nearby peaks through the trees.  The clouds were sparse, so not a big deal that I got a later start than I wanted.

Saw 4 ptarmigan on the hike up the road section just above treeline.  I’m kicking myself for not taking the time to switch lenses and get a few shots.  When will I learn….or buy that second camera body so I don’t have to switch the lens?  They still had mostly white feathers, but the dark ones were just starting to grow out.  

The hike up was perfect. I didn’t see another soul until I got to the summit of Flora.  

While I have plenty of room for improvement, I didn’t feel nearly as bad as I thought I would.  It felt good to be grinding up the mountains again. 

The views, the sunshine, breeze, only the sound of the wind and birds.  Speaking of birds, I was buzzed by a hummingbird on the ridge heading west…..migrating?