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Discovering Northern Routt County, Colorado
By PK | October 28, 2008
Routt County was created out of the western portion of Grand County in 1877 and named in honor of John Long Routt, the last territorial and first state governor of Colorado. Last weekend Dalton and I decided to take a long drive throughout the northern part of Routt County for a look see enabling us to take some awesome photographs to share with you. Normally our travels take us south through Routt County, often into Grand County.
We started on Elk River Road, also called County Road 129, leading north from Steamboat Springs off Hwy 40. Although the mountains are still surrounding you in all their majestic heights, you enter a large, serene, picture perfect valley nestled amongst them.
Our journey begins north of Clark at Dalton’s job site where I was greeted by some very friendly horses and some not so friendly critters.
Puck, a Belgian cross
Puck was very friendly and followed me throughout my visit at the job site. He wouldn’t allow the other horses to get within close proximity of me as he demanded all of my attention.
The unfriendly Llamas I kept my distance not wanting to get spit on.
And in honor of the first native Routt County ancestors, the Ute Indians, one of the neighbors had a teepee erected.
Dalton had mapped our route onto a back road, C.R. 56, just south of Clark and heading west, then south.
I love the country drives we take, as it allows me to photograph more of Colorado. The wild west is tame now, but still continues to hold picturesque memories of the past. This was one of my favorite pictures and am using it as my desktop on my computer.
As we traveled down CR 56, we came across M & M Elk Ranch. There were quite a few big daddy bulls behind the tall fence enclosure.
M & M Ranch is a working Elk ranch facility for the purpose of selling and developing breeding stock as well as meat and antler products. Jack and Mariann Major also invite people to take tours of their ranch to further educate the public on the business of Elk ranching and the development of the Elk ranching industry.
As you can see in the photograph, CR 56 is a county dirt road, but was comfortable for traveling during the summer and fall months. I don’t think I’d go down this one in the winter, though. You’d probably need a snowmobile.
Keeping with the old west tradition of hand-painted signs to direct you to your destination, we came across this old-timey one. Cool, isn’t it?
But not all roads are precisely marked, as we took a wrong turn and ended up here before turning around. We weren’t on any type of schedule, just a leisurely country drive, so all turned out well and the views were incredible, as always.
It almost looks like we turned back the hands of time, so serene and peaceful without the benefit of human habitation.
We continued our route on CR 56, headed south back towards Steamboat Springs, to Elk Mountain. Elk Mountain is also known as Sleeping Giant.
Further research provided me with no clues as to how it got it’s name, other than I’ve been told it looks like a ’sleeping giant’. Perhaps this will be a challenge to Dalton and I to climb this heaving hulk.
I love to photograph old homesteads, though I believe this one must have been used for ice storage. Now that I know to look for the little trap door, I can better identify them. I fear this old building will not be standing much longer.
Wildlife is always abundant. You just have to take time and look to see them. We came across this group of this year’s fawns, young but growing strong to endure the harsh, snowy winters here in Northern Colorado.
This valley is known for ranching as you can see the Red Angus cows in the background.
Horse ranching is also very popular north of Steamboat. You can see snow clouds moving in and a faint rainbow beginning. This is one of my favorite photos of this drive through northern Routt County.
Another herd of mule deer, this time several does and fawns.
The rainbow intensifies as the storm moves closer.
One more shot of the day, as we pack it in and head home, only 20 minutes away. I hope you enjoyed this scenic day trip throughout northern Routt County, Colorado. It’s a beautiful place to visit and where we call ‘home’.
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Topics: Colorado, Uncategorized |
6 Responses to “Discovering Northern Routt County, Colorado”
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October 28th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Stunning pictures, I am in awe with the nature and terrain there.
October 29th, 2008 at 7:48 am
these are some great pictures
October 29th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Those photos are breathtaking. I often see deer in our area because I watch for them. I know how their colors change with the seasons. I often wonder if other people ever see the deer and other game that are out there but they never take the time to see them. Of course, one of these days I might drive off the road because I am always looking along the side of the road instead of straight ahead. LOL
October 30th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Hi. Visiting your blog takes me to places that otherwise I wouldn´t know about. I love the countryside and your wonderful pictures allow me to “travel” and know more about your state. That´s why enjoy visiting, although I don´t comment much.
Here in Portugal we have wonderful horses “Lusitanos” but we don´t have many wild animals. Thanks for sharing. Cheers.
October 31st, 2008 at 2:32 am
wow… these photos are awesome….!!!
I hope i can go to US someday, it’s so far from where i am now.
Nice to know your blog ^_^
November 13th, 2008 at 3:47 am
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