Hiking up the Domingo Baca Canyon 10/15/2021

Thanks to Sally for leading us on her favorite hike.  It is a beautiful hike through the foothills and into and up the Domingo Baca Canyon.  She got a good response from a lot of the Happy Hoofers who enjoy this hike as well.  We had a beautiful day for hiking.  Just enough coolness to keep us comfortable from the exertion we would experience.  Climbing up into the canyon was enough to make us proud that we are all still hiking and going strong!

The Hoofers: Marilyn kneeling in front, then left to right we have Bronwyn, Jan, Carol, Mary B. Sally (our leader), Karen B., Barb, Deb ( Lynda's guest), Lynda, Tamara, Betty, and behind the camera:

Rose

Heading out under a clear blue sky!

Everyone enjoying the great weather and conversations

Deb happy to be with us.  She is Lynda's "adopted" daughter and lives on an island in Alaska

Entering the Domingo Baca Canyon

Of course we pause at the remains of a herder's shack from days gone by

We don't really need the rest, but conversation is always a good reason to stop

The canyon was more overgrown than we have see it in all the years we have hiked here.  And there were many, rather artistic, trees to photograph

As well as the huge boulders and the Fall colors!

Not very many wildflowers along the way but a few remnants to photograph 

We reached the spot where we have to climb up to the upper canyon.  Bronwyn and the rest of us were amazed at the huge patch of Poison Ivy that greeted us there.  We have never ever seen so much Poison Ivy here and never saw it so tall 

This is where we climb up to the Upper Canyon.  Tamara admires the view while she waits her turn

There is a lot more sunshine in this part of the canyon

And a bit of a pause so I can take a selfie

We are high enough now to see some Ponderosa Pines

Overhead we saw a tower of boulders

We also saw the last few Purple Geraniums still blooming

A Ponderosa at the top of the canyon

That sparkling blue is a small flow of water trickling down the canyon

We saw batches of Poison Ivy along the way... 

… and the scenery never disappointed!

The rest of the hike before lunch would be climbing to the top of the waterfall... no pictures of the waterfall and it was too dry to flow

But there was always something that caught my eye.  Bronwyn is walking underneath one very long limb that forms a underpass for the Hoofers

And, as you can see, there were a lot of large limbs that we hiked under

Someone left an encouraging log we had to climb over:
  "YOU CAN DO IT!"

We reach the overlook of the lower canyon it is also know as the Top of the Waterfall that feeds that lower canyon

Deb picks her luncheon spot in the sun.  I almost chose that myself but thought it would be too hot... I was wrong

Barb has a nice spot too -- away from the edge

Mary and Karen find another great spot

I chose my shady spot... soon regretting it

Carol shady and sunny, best of both worlds

Same for our leader, Sally

Carol enjoying her sandwich and the sun

Barb "photobombing" Jan's and Bronwyn shot

Lynda settling in

Betty and Tamara shared a lunch spot together

These two trees wrapped around each other provided my shade

After lunch we headed down the canyon and enjoyed the views even more

Going down is a bit easier, but also more treacherous

Beautiful Fall day

Life always finds a way to survive!

Beauty can always be found in nature!

I caught a bumble bee on these flowers

At the bottom of the canyon we stop for a chat and for some... to check their phones (?)

Thanks to Tamara for the All Trails Hike Information!

 
Another great hike for the Happy Hoofers!

Great company, great weather -- couldn't ask for more!