Hiking the Mitchell Lake Trail @ Brainard Lake Recreation Site
This past Thursday, my group and I enjoyed a leisurely hike along Mitchell Lake Trail. We took our time and observed the habitat and bird life all around us. We were hopeful to see a moose at the lake, but did not get so lucky. Instead, we saw a wide variety of bird life - including song birds, mountain-specific birds, flycatchers, familiar favorites, and even had a raptor fly-by! We also got to enjoy the antics of a couple young Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels, Pikas, and Chipmunks. On our way back down the mountain, we did see a handsome bull moose for a brief moment before he slipped out of sight into the shrubbery. We enjoyed the late-season wildflowers and a perfect bluebird Colorado day in the high mountains! Hope you’ll join me at the next one!
Check out the eBird list here.
Entering the Indian Peaks Wilderness along Mitchell Lake Trail
One of the water crossings on the trail
Beautiful Mitchell Lake
Wildflowers were in full force in the high country! This is Elephant's Head.
Pollinators were out in full force too - including mosquitos!
Another water crossing!
Pika!
A.K.A. Rock Rabbit
Baby Golden-mantled ground squirrel
Siblings sharing a snack...
One dropped the snack and the other beat 'em up for it!...
Olive-sided Flycatcher (new bird for me!)
Hammond's Flycatcher (another new bird for me!)
Cooper's Hawk fly-by
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Young American Robin
Young Dark-eyed Junco
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Along the hike
Along the hike
Young Yellow-rumped Warbler by the water
Mountain Chickadee
Along the hike
American Three-toed Woodpecker (another new bird for me!)
American Three-toed Woodpecker