Life on the mountain

It is now February of 2017 and we are enjoying our first winter on the mountain. This is a very different experience from living in Kansas. First, we are much closer to wildlife and see examples of deer, elk and birds close up and personal. The deer were right outside our door most days until the snow got so deep it started rubbing their belly's when then waded thru it. After that they disappeared down the mountain and now spend much of their time along the river.

The birds however just continue to increase in numbers at the feeder. There are Ravens, Stellars Jays, Red Headed woodpeckers, Yellow Finches, Grouse and Grey Jays in reasonable numbers. The big numbers come as flocks of Brown-capped Rosy Finches covering the deck and feeders and go thru lots of food per visit. These are several hundred birds at a given time. The sound of the flock arriving makes you think a helicopter landed on  the deck.

The snow is always light and powdery and comes in pretty steady amounts. It starts out pretty deep and then compresses to much tighter concentrations. It seems to stick around and stays white which is different from the dirty snow after a few days we have been used to in Kansas.

The powder aspect of snow means it gets blown around pretty well by the wind so drifting is an issue. It is not bad to plow if you get to it before it gets compressed and hard to push.

 It snows pretty regularly which means you have to plan on where to put the plowed snow all winter long. As the snow gets plowed to the sides of the road, the roadway gets narrower. At some point time must be taken to move the snow further to the the side of the road.

The snow really drifts at the entry to the neighborhood. This sign is about 8 feet tall.

 The critters are all along the roads which takes some care in driving in early morn and late evening

Out for a ride. These are a pretty good way to get around up here.

We keep a path clear around the cottage for snowmobile and tractor

Elk along the river - some bedded down and one standing

View on our walk

View across the valley at the Elk Mountains

Snowmobile tracks

Elk in the horse pastures down by the river

Fresh snow

Heading out to cross country ski

Elk along the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River

Lift chairs on Monarch Pass

Underneath all of the snow is the gift shop on Monarch Pass

The flock enjoying food on the deck