
Where is it?
Where is it?
Three fourteen thousand foot (4268 meter) peaks, east of Alamosa, Colorado. Viewed in the summer time. The peaks, from left to right, are Ellingwood Point, Blanca Peak, and Little Bear Peak
This very distant view is from the Bluff Overlook in the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge, just south of Alamosa, Colorado.
Early Fall near Alamosa campground in Rio Grande National Forest.
Apparently, Keeps Mill was a stop on an alternative route around Mt. Hood on the Oregon trail. If that’s true, how people got wagons in and out of here, I do not know. The hillsides rise quite quickly from both sides of the river. The White River flows from the White Glacier on Mt Hood. Keeps Mill is a primitive, secluded campground at the end of Forest Road 2120 (note to self: Watch for speed bump at end of pavement). The last mile is down a rocky, narrow, steep, exposed hillside. Did I mention a really tight switchback and talus fields?
A nice place to relax within an easy drive from Alamosa; dirt road is sketchy in places though. This view is from the Bluff Overlook. I drew this on my iPad.
Badger Lake in Mt. Hood National Forest, was quite dry when I was there at the end of the summer. I might try to get back this winter if the roads are open. Ice skating anyone? 🙂
I looked and looked, but did not see a one. Not even any tracks or other signs. Sigh. Maybe next time. A badger is one of the few mammals that I have not seen in the wild.
My painting shows a view the campground at Badger Lake in Mt. Hood National Forest; west of Portland, Oregon. It was from my September trip. Check out the story; a couple of blog posts back. The red bushes are very dried out huckleberry plants.
Enjoy!