Miles 62.96 Total 2,501.83 Daily Avg 67.62
Avg Speed 15.6 Max Speed 34.0 Alt Climbed 2966 ft
When riding into Frisco yesterday we crossed over the Continental Divide for the first time. The significance of the Continental Divide determines the watershed direction. All water from the west side flows to the Pacific Ocean and the east side flows to the Mississippi River. We will cross back and forth over the Continental Divide 5 times during our trip. Each crossing requires a mountain climb. The Hoosier Pass climb was the highest on the trip, 11,542 ft. Today we crossed back over to the Atlantic watershed side at Willow Creek Pass, 9,621 ft.
After riding we visited a wildlife sanctuary outside Walden, CO. The area is home to many species of birds, ducks, moose and wildlife. The fields were full of prairie dogs and their offspring. We met a professor from University of Maryland who has made a career studying prairie dogs. Each year he comes west to observe the life, mating patterns and habits of prairie dogs. He has been sitting in a small observation tower watching his subjects since March, just before the mating season. He then tracks the family as they develop. His observations will continue for another two weeks. Kelly and Justin climbed up into the observation tower for a look through the binocular scope for a birds eye view of a prairie dog family.
Nice little ranch compound
Our crossing of the Continental Divide
Nephew Justin happy to be fed
We are all Prairie Dogg'n
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