Today I enjoyed the outdoors. I chose to carry......

[The Night Rider]

I did an (approximately) 10 mile round trip hike today.
I'm not sure how to explain my route if you're not familiar with Colorado Springs but I went out on the South side of North Cheyenne Cañon to Mount Muscoco then I went down the Sweetwater Cañon trail (in Sweetwater Cañon to the Daniel's Pass/Bruin trail (it was about 3 miles longer than I expected) down to Helen Hunt Falls then back on the North side of the Cañon on the Columbine Trail.

Here's the route on the map in orange

This rock is right in the middle of the trail.



Looking down at Colorado Springs

Sweetwater Cañon


There ain't a drop of water in that Cañon.

That Granite face is the very top of Helen Hunt Falls. It's the head of the Cañon. EDIT: I probably should clarify that it's the head of North Cheyenne Cañon.


Same line up as last week

 

[WisBorn]

Getting bored with the rain so I jumped in the pickup and went for a ride. It is nice to have cooler temperatures. Some of the leaves are starting to turn and the ferns are dying off for the year.


My carry handgun was my 637 38 special. The hiking staff was made by a friend that past away earlier this year from cancer and Parkinson disease. I miss him and the time we spent together. When I walk with staff I think of him. If you haven't talked to a friend lately give them a call. We never know how long someone will be with us.

 

[Southerner up North]

Getting bored with the rain so I jumped in the pickup and went for a ride. It is nice to have cooler temperatures. Some of the leaves are starting to turn and the ferns are dying off for the year.
View attachment 1102450 View attachment 1102451

My carry handgun was my 637 38 special. The hiking staff was made by a friend that past away earlier this year from cancer and Parkinson disease. I miss him and the time we spent together. When I walk with staff I think of him. If you haven't talked to a friend lately give them a call. We never know how long someone will be with us.
View attachment 1102452

Nice looking hiking area.
Sorry for the loss of your friend. The walking stick is a great way to remember him.

 

[uuolf]

Ditto +1, the outdoors seems to bring out the best in most people... But I do carry my 10mm when walking around the cotton fields and lowland timber around me... Just in case I have to fend off any crazed, ant eating armadillos... Those critters dig EVERYWHERE... Cooler weather is for me...

 

[Southerner up North]

Ditto +1, the outdoors seems to bring out the best in most people... But I do carry my 10mm when walking around the cotton fields and lowland timber around me... Just in case I have to fend off any crazed, ant eating armadillos... Those critters dig EVERYWHERE... Cooler weather is for me...

You gotta watch the zombie dillos. Cotton fields, lowland timber and dillos imply down south to me. Guess since I grew up around all three it would.

 

[WrongHanded]

Took a trip to northwest Montana during the last week or so. Lots of wildfire smoke, some interesting weather events, and we both got sick (my wife far more seriously than me). So it wasn't exactly a dream trip, but we saw some very nice scenery. Unfortunately, I didn't have my phone on me most of the time, and/or the conditions weren't that great. So my picture taking was sporadic.

Around Seeley Lake, Swann Valley, MT:



(Momma and baby Whitetails were absolutely everywhere here)

Holland Lake and Falls, Swann Valley, MT:



Somewhere NW of West Yellowstone, MT:



Somewhere in Yellowstone NP, WY:



(The Ravens almost always seemed to be in pairs in the park)

As to guns, I kept with the Glock G20 as my mainstay. Sig P224 in .357 Sig as a backup and hand-off to the wife, though we also had bear spray. The only longarm I took was the new Mossberg 590S, with 00 buck, Brenneke slugs, and a TLR-1 mounted up front, as a camp gun.

Not quite the trip we had in mind. But I did learn that the Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming is well worth diverting to if you are passing by. That place is a gem.

 

[WisBorn]

@WrongHanded, thank you for sharing your experience and pictures. I hope you and your wife are feeling better.

 

[Armored farmer]

We took the evening to head back to our woods and camp overnight at the deer blind.


the evening was perfect. We were cool and sat close to the fire. I didn’t get any pictures, but I made our supper of a jar of Aldi’s finest tomato bisque soup and a ham and cheese sandwich toasted over the fire. I also toasted a couple of slices of crusty bread and crumbled them into our cups of soup. It was delicious.

the coyotes and the fire kept us entertained until nearly midnight. Right before daylight a great horned owl stopped by for a visit. He serenaded us with his spooky songs.
I put the coffee pot on shortly after first light, and spooked two deer that were hanging around.
Mrs worked her magic on a breakfast skillet of ham, potatoes, peppers, green onion, and eggs. I’m telling you, it was fit for a king.
I chose to carry my sr9c as my “camp defender” and I brought my Hatsun 95 in case a squirrel volunteered to offer a shot.
It was a great trip and getaway even if it was within a mile of our house!

 

[Frulk]

Farmer...My Blood Pressure dropped 20 points reading that post....what a great outing....

 

[Armored farmer]

Farmer...My Blood Pressure dropped 20 points reading that post....what a great outing....

Blood pressure down. Cholesterol up. Lol

 

[Southerner up North]

@Armored farmer, awesome way to spend some time relaxing. The skillet breakfast looked awesome

 

[The Night Rider]

I hiked part way up Mount Garfield today. This is actually looking back down the valley. Loud’s Cabin is at the base of Mount Garfield. I went North West from the Cabin. After the Cabin there's not really a trail you just follow Bear Creek.[br] Took my Glock 19 and my Buck LTE. I crossed the county line (El Paso/Teller) both ways a couple of times and crossed into the Pike National Forest.
I got up to about 9000 ft before I ran out of time.
4t was like a field of boulders



And since that backpack shows up in almost every single one of these posts here are the specs.

Specs
19"H x 10.5"W x 10.2"D

Weight: 31.04 oz.

Capacity: 23L

Fits 17"-21" torsos

Fits 28"-46" waist/hips



I bought this as a replacement for my Camelbak Rally Pack. Primarily because my rally pack is over 20 years old and it was just a little bit too small for all the stuff I was carrying. Plus this new one has a 3L water bottle in it which means I don't go through the hassle of filtering water just for a Day hike in Cheyenne Canyon.

I also like the fact that the padding on the back gives a little bit of structure to the pack. It's not quite framed but it supports the pack like it is. The straps are definitely cut better.

The only thing that I really don't like about My pack is that the only color available at Sportsman's Warehouse was that ugly baby **** brown. I would have preferred Black but it was on clearance and beggars can't be choosers.

 

[Armored farmer]

Took a trip to northwest Montana during the last week or so. Lots of wildfire smoke, some interesting weather events, and we both got sick (my wife far more seriously than me). So it wasn't exactly a dream trip, but we saw some very nice scenery. Unfortunately, I didn't have my phone on me most of the time, and/or the conditions weren't that great. So my picture taking was sporadic.

Around Seeley Lake, Swann Valley, MT:
View attachment 1103412
View attachment 1103413
View attachment 1103414
(Momma and baby Whitetails were absolutely everywhere here)

Holland Lake and Falls, Swann Valley, MT:
View attachment 1103415
View attachment 1103416

Somewhere NW of West Yellowstone, MT:
View attachment 1103417
View attachment 1103418

Somewhere in Yellowstone NP, WY:
View attachment 1103419
View attachment 1103420
View attachment 1103421
(The Ravens almost always seemed to be in pairs in the park)

As to guns, I kept with the Glock G20 as my mainstay. Sig P224 in .357 Sig as a backup and hand-off to the wife, though we also had bear spray. The only longarm I took was the new Mossberg 590S, with 00 buck, Brenneke slugs, and a TLR-1 mounted up front, as a camp gun.

Not quite the trip we had in mind. But I did learn that the Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming is well worth diverting to if you are passing by. That place is a gem.

Beautiful scenery
Thanks for posting this.

 

[WisBorn]

@Armored farmer, awesome way to spend some time relaxing. The skillet breakfast looked awesome

Doesn't he make you hungry with pictures like that!
You know it tastes better over the campfire on a cool morning!!!
@Armored farmer thanks for posting the pictures!

 

[Southerner up North]

Doesn't he make you hungry with pictures like that!
You know it tastes better over the campfire on a cool morning!!!
@Armored farmer thanks for posting the pictures!

Yes, he does. Even after eating a huge meal, photos like that make a man hungry. Almost anything cooked over a campfire tastes better

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Great pictures all.

Especially:

Took a trip to northwest Montana during the last week or so. Lots of wildfire smoke, some interesting weather events, and we both got sick (my wife far more seriously than me). So it wasn't exactly a dream trip, but we saw some very nice scenery. Unfortunately, I didn't have my phone on me most of the time, and/or the conditions weren't that great. So my picture taking was sporadic.

Around Seeley Lake, Swann Valley, MT:
View attachment 1103412
View attachment 1103413
View attachment 1103414
(Momma and baby Whitetails were absolutely everywhere here)

Holland Lake and Falls, Swann Valley, MT:
View attachment 1103415
View attachment 1103416

Somewhere NW of West Yellowstone, MT:
View attachment 1103417
View attachment 1103418

Somewhere in Yellowstone NP, WY:
View attachment 1103419
View attachment 1103420
View attachment 1103421
(The Ravens almost always seemed to be in pairs in the park)

As to guns, I kept with the Glock G20 as my mainstay. Sig P224 in .357 Sig as a backup and hand-off to the wife, though we also had bear spray. The only longarm I took was the new Mossberg 590S, with 00 buck, Brenneke slugs, and a TLR-1 mounted up front, as a camp gun.

Not quite the trip we had in mind. But I did learn that the Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming is well worth diverting to if you are passing by. That place is a gem.

I haven't traveled anywhere for awhile other than to see family. I am getting the itch to head to the desert again and disappear for a bit. I will maybe scrounge up some of my old pics for this thread, as I had a whirlwind of a trip in the South West about ten years ago.

New job has me stuck inside the majority of the time, and is taking up a lot of time and energy. Free time has been fleeting.

 

[WisBorn]

@460Shooter I hope that you are able to breakaway from work soon. The followers of this thread miss the pictures of your adventures.
And more importantly you probably could use some of that natural vitamin D (sunshine) to charge your batteries.

Take care...

 

[WisBorn]

Temps in Central Wisconsin are feeling fall like (39 this morning).
Went for a nice walk yesterday on the multi use trail near my home. I wish my phone camera could get a better shot of the geese on the lake.


My pocket carry was my S&W 637. I carried a hiking staff that I just finished. I did shorten it by 3" when i got home. The handle is wrapped with para-cord. It has two purposes a comfortable grip and who knows when you might need a piece of rope.


The staff was made from a sapling that I cut down last bow season. It was in a bad spot for my stand.

 

[BigBlue 94]

You gotta watch the zombie dillos.

All dillos are zombies to me... Supposedly they are the only other mammal to carry leprosy! They have migrated as far north as the Kansas River. Seen em south of it for a number of years now but zero north of it.

The only outdoors enjoying i did today was driving around at lunch. But i was carrying: my Rossi M720 in 44 special. Just got a new Galco holster for it too. Wears nicely above my right buttocks. Also had 5 spare rounds of Winchester 225gr silvertips on a speed strip.

 

[The Night Rider]

I did the same loop this Sunday (9/25) as I did two weeks ago(9/11). Just this time I did it backwards and added a couple of miles.



First of all I keep saying this is the head of Helen Hunt Falls, it's not. I actually walked up there this weekend and it's at the head of Buffalo Cañon.

So I went out on the north side of North Cheyenne Cañon and then went into Buffalo Cañon and up to the top of the ridge



This is looking down from the top of that Granite face



This is looking back towards that Granite from Buffalo Cañon



I'm pretty sure that that a bear shredded that tree.



And here's your gun porn and my thumb

 

[The Night Rider]

Here's a video (taken by me and I was wearing a gun when I took Iit.) of Buffalo Cañon Falls

https://youtube.com/shorts/nErCy6xXQDc?feature=share

 

[WrongHanded]

Here's a video (taken by me and I was wearing a gun when I took Iit.) of Buffalo Cañon Falls

https://youtube.com/shorts/nErCy6xXQDc?feature=share

"Stay Off Rocks"? Killjoys! Looks nice though.

 

[The Night Rider]

"Stay Off Rocks"? Killjoys! Looks nice though.

That sign is up there because people climb out on that rock face and every couple years somebody Falls and dies.

I tried it once just to be a smart-ass I took two steps and face planted

 

[WrongHanded]

That sign is up there because people climb out on that rock face and every couple years somebody Falls and dies.

I tried it once just to be a smart-ass I took two steps and face planted

Ah, I see. I guess it's steeper than it looks in the video, but cameras can do that. Slab climbing can be a little tricky without knowing the right technique. Rock shoes help too of course.

 

[The Night Rider]

Ah, I see. I guess it's steeper than it looks in the video, but cameras can do that. Slab climbing can be a little tricky without knowing the right technique. Rock shoes help too of course.

If it doesn't look steep then I took that video wrong. That cliff is about 500 ft High and it goes up at probably a 75° angle