Mr. Charlie and I went Exploring last week on Saturday. We left early and got to the Reserve before most people are getting up and about. I like it that way especially when I take my UnCharted Trails.
Actually, they are trails from long ago and are no longer included on the maps. They are perfectly fine for walking though and equine traffic would have damaged the sensitive plants that are in certain areas of the reserve.
I decided to walk along the base of some bluffs alongside the river. I'd gone this way in the late fall and thought it would be nice to see if any ice was forming along the NW facing bluffs.
Charlie and I saw some Coyote Hunters getting a lecture on something from the game warden otherwise, we saw no one. We turned off the main trail and found our way to the bluffs.
The bluffs sometimes have some incredible ice formations on them and in other spots they have some of the most interesting looking roots and fern growth.
This tree stops me in my tracks every time I walk by it. The twisted roots cling to the bluff and variations of cooler weather ferns hang out with it. Behind it on the rock are various colors of lichen.
To me, it is a wonder.
The edges of some of the bluff tops did have ice forming on them.
This one below is spectacular depending on the year. In past years I've observed these bluffs from the other side of the river. I wanted to see it up close. As melts and freezes continue, it becomes a river of frozen little waterfalls.
More ice shot with the infrared camera:
When I got past these bluffs, I came to a spot where I'd have to climb rock or go up a valley to head further north. I decided to just end the hike here.I peered at the huge chunk of rock upstream and noticed it had a gap in it that cannot be seen from the other side of the river.
If I am correct in my thinking, this is the same rock seen from the other in 2017.
And...I think I know how to get to it. Looking at the topo map, it will involve some rather difficult hiking.
That is one of my goals this winter or spring is to check out that 'hole'. It may not be possible, but how will I know unless I try?
The view from bridge 16 with my infrared camera. I was shooting for the black and white effect and was pleased.
I'll be returning to this bridge in the next few days to check out some more ice features and study that bluff from the west side of the river.
