Horsetooth Falls Trail, Part II

My hike to Horsetooth Falls had been moderately rewarding. Nice vistas and wildflowers; the falls themselves were a little anticlimactic. The big question now was whether I was going to push on to Horsetooth Rock.

Fortunately, I didn't have to make that decision right away.  The trail to the rock had multiple spots where you could split off and return to the trailhead.  I was rewarded for deciding to press on almost immediately with this beautiful meadow.

The wet winter and late spring seemed to be keeping conditions green and lush longer than they would normally be.

I stopped to shoot the Larkspur, then noticed the Bee Assassin on the stalk.

The sound of rushing water pulled me off the trail to see what was causing it.  The scene wasn't that interesting, but when I returned to the trail this Mule Deer doe came by to take a drink.  NOW the scene was interesting!

When I reached my first fork in the trail after 4/10 of a mile I decided to keep pushing for Horsetooth Rock.  When I reached the next fork a half mile later, I changed my mind.  Time, temperature, and my own conditioning were all working against me.  Still, the views didn't leave me with too much to complain about.

And right as I neared the trailhead I spotted a Common Swallowtail nectaring on a thistle.  Nature had once again saved its best for last!

The butterfly gave me plenty of time to approach and change my position relative to the sun for better light.  I love when wildlife is accommodating!

A last shot of a Bumblebee with a full pollen sac, and my hike was done.  I only covered about 3.2 miles in nearly three hours, so I wasn't exactly sprinting.  Still, it felt amazing to just be out in the fresh Colorado air again!

Related Link: Horsetooth Falls Trail, Part I