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Counting bighorn sheep too exciting to sleep

Contributed by: Barbara Neff on 7/18/2007

July 17 my friend and neighbor, Pam Manion, called to see if my two sons, Hayden and Carson, and I wanted to join her and her son, Brent, for a bike ride in Waterton Canyon.

We were down with that, so Pam swung by to secure our bikes onto her industrial strength bike rack. We jumped into her car and headed out for some summer fun.

My sons and I had never been to Waterton Canyon, which is south of Chatfield Reservoir near Roxborough Park in Douglas County. Pam assured us it was a beautiful place, but her words did not do justice.

The path through Waterton Canyon parallels the South Platte River, which is running spectacularly wide and fast this summer. White water spilling over rocks and breathtaking outcroppings everywhere you look are only the beginning of the wonder of this trail, which, according to internet sources, leads all the way to Durango!

The natural beauty and the wide, flat biking road (much too smooth and well maintained to be a "trail") are enough to affix unwavering smiles on the faces of visitors. But, it's the wildlife that inspires the most awe.

Big, black birds with red on their beaks rest on huge boulders in the middle of the river, diving now and then to snag a fish and swallow it whole. Deer trot along the roadside, almost as if accompanying the humans on bikes.

And then there are the bighorn sheep.

Our group of five was stopped in our tracks by the sight of a male bighorn sheep standing in the middle of the road. I swear he was grinning.

Unfazed by people all around stopping to stare, this huge animal posed, first to the left, then to the right, so Pam could get shots of his best angles. After the photo session, which must have lasted ten minutes, he trotted to the river's edge to get a cool drink, then mosied back to his rocky hillside home.

At another resting spot by the river, two female bighorn sheep mingled with the people, munching grass and sipping from the river.

Waterton Canyon is a crowd pleaser. Serious bicyclists passed us by the dozens headed for what I hear is rough terrain six miles west of the trailhead. Families with young children rode bikes, walkers walked, runners ran making a gay parade of satisfied Coloradoans.

If you do just one hike or bike ride this summer,consider Waterton Canyon. To learn more go to:

http://www.altrec.com/published/cycle/rockymountain/coloradotrailsingletrack/

http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/Profiles/Mammals/BighornSheep.htm


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Showing 1-10 of 10 comments
Submitted By: kdrlton culig
posted on 10/11/2007 @ 10:53:46 PM
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Interesting, I must take a ride to the canyon. I did not know one could get that close to a BH Sheep?
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Submitted By: Barbara Neff
posted on 7/23/2007 @ 12:51:40 PM
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Well, then, Anthonette and Mick, isn't it time for a YourHub.com hike at Devil's Head? You guys plan it and I'll bring the water bottles!
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Submitted By: Anthonette Klinkerman
posted on 7/22/2007 @ 3:15:20 PM
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Great shots, Barbara! Waterton is a favorite destination - my daughter loves the "animal rocks" along the wheelchair path. (So neat they have that option as her grandfather is in one.) I agree with Mick - Devil's Head is a must. I hiked that when we first moved here and it is breathtaking, in more ways than one! ;-)
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Submitted By: Barbara Neff
posted on 7/22/2007 @ 12:47:10 PM
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I have not yet been to Devil's Head, Mick. That's next on our to-enjoy list. Tabitha, you will surely see bighorn sheep if you visit Waterton Canyon. I highly recommend this slice of Colorado beauty.
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Submitted By: Tabitha Dial
posted on 7/21/2007 @ 9:25:39 AM
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Barbara, I am jealous. I went out of state and did not see any bighorn sheep! We just got back from Yellowstone and ... no, I didn't go there just for the sheep, but when I learned about them, I wanted very much to see one, for CSU and for my father, who loves them ... no such luck. I need to check out this Waterton Canyon!
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Submitted By: Steve Shultz
posted on 7/20/2007 @ 1:04:10 PM
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Great story, Barb! I'll have to go to Waterton Canyon sometime. Sounds beautiful. I bet Melinda would like it.
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Submitted By: Karin Malchow
posted on 7/19/2007 @ 6:31:28 PM
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My guys liked Devil's Head more than Waterton Canyon, but a couple of them are mountain goats. Some kind of bug bit me at Waterton Canyon, causing an allergic reaction. I'm such a frontier woman.
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Submitted By: Michael Rule
posted on 7/19/2007 @ 6:20:15 PM
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Have you taken the kids up to the top of Devil's Head?
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Submitted By: Barbara Neff
posted on 7/18/2007 @ 7:38:24 PM
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Mick, each time I think I have seen the best Douglas County has to offer, I am proved wrong. Waterton Canyon can't be topped. Can it?
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Submitted By: Michael Rule
posted on 7/18/2007 @ 5:42:21 PM
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Right on! I have been to Waterton canyon many times...yes the trail will take you to Durango! Once climbing a local butte I summited and there in front of me were a herd of longhorns! WOW!
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Showing 1-10 of 10 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Barbara Neff

Castle Rock , CO

Barbara Neff has posted 85 stories and 245 comments since joining on 9/14/2005. Barbara Neff 's average story rating is 4.87.
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