Monday, June 27, 2016 Arrastra, Gulch, Gold Lake, Maggie Gulch, Animas River

Headed out to Arrastra Gulch this morning to have lunch at Gold Lake in the Little Giant Basin with Larry & Cathy, Ronny & Bonnie, Brett & Alexis, Charles & Jane, and us.  

We were only able to get to the top of the lake before being blocked by a snowdrift.  Larry & Cathy barreled on thru and had to do a several point turn around.  We enjoyed lunch at the top of the lake.  

  

  

  

  

  

The lake is always so clear:

While we were having lunch, Ronny spotted some big horned sheep up on the ledge.  

There were two babies in the group of five;

  

  

Here is a picture of one of the ore buckets that the miners used to haul the ore down.  They would ride the buckets up in the morning & hang off the side of them coming home - hopefully with a full load of ore.  The Contention Mine tramway ran for a little over a mile from Big Giant and the Black Prince Mine to the Contention Mine near the Animas River.  It is amazing how much evidence of the old mining operations is still around.  

  

Part of the old tram:

The mill 

 

  

  

Some renovation has been going on at this site on the way to Gold Lake:

After lunch, we drove along the Animas River.  I just love this clear, pristine river and always take too many pictures.  Here are a few from today. 

  

  

  

  

  

 

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Next stop:  Maggie Gulch.

The waterfall at the beginning of the trail is really running fast right now.  

  

 More old mining equipment still there.  

  

The road back home:

And the question of the day:

Does a bear poop in the woods?

Why, Yes,  Yes he does:

Sunday, June 26, 2016 HURRICANE, CALIF, ANIMAS FORKS

Today, we had friends that live in Fairplay, CO come for the day.  They had two of their friends from St. Petersburg, FL with them.  The trail we rode is a repeat, but one we thought that they would enjoy.  After the trail ride, we enjoyed drinks & snacks on the rooftop of The Rum Bar, then did some shopping in town.  They had to leave just about the time the Brass Band started their Sunday in the street concert and missed a good show.  Of course, since it's Sunday,  Jimmy & I had green chili and burgers at Handlebars.    It was a gorgeous day, but quite cold this evening.  Life is Good!

Some random shots:

Old mining operation:

  

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

They were really interested in exploring some of the old buildings at Animas Forks Ghost Town.

This town was established in 1873 and was the end of the Silverton Railroad.  It was quite a large town in its day.  

  

We took the lower river road (old railroad bed) along the Animas back to Silverton:

  

  

Saturday, June 25, 2016 CAR SHOW; EVENING CRITTERS

Spent a little time in town at the antique car show today.

We have watched this young (15 yr) old man grow from a little boy.  

His family owns one of the local restaurants where we frequent. 

This past winter, he purchased this 1964 1/2 Mustang in Oklahoma & is in the process of restoring:

 

 

Then, I just took some random shots:

 

Liked this one because it's from my year of birth:

 

 

Like this one; would have loved it had it been black like Pop's old car:

Dinner at Teller House tonight, followed by a few Jeeps driving the trail at dusk looking for critters.  

We saw LOTS of deer, but it was getting too dark for pictures.  Once back on the highway, we saw another big porcupine.  Never seen one in the wild until yesterday and now another tonight.   

 

Didn't realize I was getting all three in this shot:

  

Same three in this one;