Life Zones

Tonight (Monday) we drove up the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive with Bryan. He needed to get water samples at a couple different locations. There was still a fair amount of snow up there and the clouds were rolling in. When we left our house approximately a half hour ago it was a hot 95 + degrees at our house in Baker. It was about 60 up here at nearly 10,000 ft in elevation. We were content in this life zone :)
We played in the snow a little and enjoyed the "cooler" air.

Here's some info on verticle life zones:

The snow melt around the park is amazing........ although with the colder temps and precipitation this Spring - the trees and flowers are behind. The aspens are just barely showing signs of leaves.

A person could definately get swept away in those loud currents..........

We set the camera up on a log to take some photos...........

Ava, Ava, Ava the explorer!................

It started to rain pretty good - so we piled in the car and went on our merry way down the scenic drive. Next stop: Pole Canyon Trail to look for a rattlesnake (that has a radio transmitter). I was playing around with my camera in the car on the way down..............

Ava enjoys playing with Isaac's car seat toys too .....................

Well, we parked at the Pole Canyon Trailhead and apparently Isaac wasn't only busy playing with toys........... LOL

Nothing like changing a blowout diaper in the great outdoors! lol

He says "Mom! Now I got your attention!!!!!" Ha ha! Thankfully I had another outfit in the diaper bag :)

Yellow suits him well ;)

Ten minutes later and Isaac in a new outfit ....... we hiked up the Pole Canyon Trail.

Bryan listens to hear if the rattlesnake is nearby......................

Apparenty not close enough....................... so we keep hiking.

I was carrying the snake tongs and playfully pinched Ava's behind as we hiked up the trail. She kept saying "pinch me again Mom!" and laughing....................

Well, we ended up going off trail and climbing these steep talus slopes. I decided that I didn't want to billy-goat Isaac in the rough terrain in his front pack and headed back to the trail to hike back to the car. Bryan and Ava continued the search for the snake............

Isaac and I got back to the car in time for the temperature to surprisingly drop to a chill (at least for a barely clothed 6 month old). We had fun playing in the car waiting for them.

After what seemed like more than an hour Bryan and Ava got back (right before dark) and said they were successful in finding the snake. Happily, after all that hiking around for a concrete signal. The snake was hiding under a rock. We got home around 8:30 pm.

Here's a video of the run-off at the parking lot.

This is Isaac as we waited patiently in the car..................