Lower Loop Trail

Got in another hike on the latest trip to Crested Butte -- the Lower Loop Trail right outside of town.  Taryn had specific requests for not-too-long and not-too-steep, which made this an ideal choice.

The hike offers great views up the Slate River Valley, aided on Wednesday morning by some incoming clouds.

A couple of gray jays took a keen interest in us when we stopped for a quick rest on a bench.  I wish I'd gotten the eye in sharper focus in this shot, but I loved the detail in the feathers too much not to share it.

Signs that wildflower season is quickly coming to an end were in abundance.  But there's beauty even in wilting flowers.

I love how the trail flirts with the river, sometimes running right up alongside it and other times drifting away.

Taryn was determined to get a picture of one of the many chipmunks or ground squirrels who were running around starting to store up food for winter.  She scoured these rocks, but came up empty.

The river, mountains and clouds provided constant postcard vistas.

I loved the graceful S-curve of the water at this spot.  The clouds were definitely getting thicker and closer by this point, though.

More fading beauty.  Won't be too much longer before the aspens start turning!

Near the point where the Lower Lower Loop turns around and becomes the Upper Lower Loop, we got a great look down the valley towards Mount Crested Butte.

We parked in the lot by the alien shack and cut a couple of miles off of the hike's full length, going a little more than five miles in a little less than three hours.  Not too strenuous, but still gorgeous!