Park County Explorations - Birds + Ancient Trees (Co-sponsored trip with DFO)

This adventurous hiking and mountain driving trip to visit two amazing groves of ancient pines near Fairplay: the Windy Ridge Bristle Cone Pine Scenic Area near Alma (http://www.gohikecolorado.com/windy-ridge.html), and the limber pine and bristlecone pine grove along the Limber Pine Trail near Fourmile Creek Campground southwest of Fairplay (https://www.mrhi.org/uploads/8/7/8/6/87862106/limber_grove_2-pg_brochure.pdf). We will look for birds as we go, and although they will likely be sparse in these higher elevation areas in late summer we might see Clark's Nutcracker, Red Crossbill, Canada Jay, Townsend's Solitaire, Pine Grosbeak and other high elevation species. These groves have trees over 1,000 years old growing near tree line. Our hikes will be at elevations between 10,500 and 11,800' elevation.

Participants should feel comfortable hiking at these elevations in somewhat rough trail conditions. The Windy Ridge hike is two miles round trip with a 350 foot elevation gradient, while the Limber Pine Trail is about 1.5 mile round trip with a 200 foot elevation gradient. Expect rocky trail conditions in some sections. We will carpool and need vehicles with good clearance. An early start will give us a chance to visit both groves before afternoon storms threaten, but we may shorten our trip if weather should develop early. Brink study hiking shoes, layers of clothing, a rain shell, and snacks, drinks and lunch. We will have a few pit stops, and there is the "green door".

Meet at the Aspen Park RTD Park-N-Ride on Hwy 285. The address is 26137 Conifer Rd, Aspen Park, CO.

This trip is led by David Suddjian. 

To register for this trip, click here to visit the registration page on DFO's website. Please note you will need to create an account on the DFO website to register for the trip.