I’m “Lichen” this!

July 4, 2016[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”21″ gal_title=”4th of july”]

Good morning and Happy Independence Day everyone!!!  It’s been a glorious morning here in Decker’s and Trumbull. With sunny skies, warm temperatures and a nice forecast for the rest of the day, it’s sure to be a fantastic 4th of July up here on the South Platte River.  This morning’s river flow out of Cheesman was 362 (cfs) and 475 (cfs) at Trumbull. Clarity looks good and I’ve taken a picture of Horse Creek entering the Platte to show you how I estimate the flow around Decker’s. This will also illustrate how the feeder creeks can affect the clarity of the Platte. Based on this morning’s observations, it’s looking to be about 380 or  390 or so around the main Decker’s bridge.  Last night the fish were really turned on with the rain showers!! We did real well with hoppers and trailing a chocolate thunder. Later in the evening, we took several fish with a grasshopper and an Amy’s Ant. Leaving the fishing reports up to the professionals, be sure to check out Flies-n-Lies on their website http://www.flies-n-lies.com. Along the hike this morning to Decker’s from the south east, my friend and I encountered a few deer, but mostly enjoyed the views of the valley as the sun came up over the Rampart Range.  With such a high desert climate, we have an abundance of” bear attracting” berry bushes, lichen, moss, and other ground and rock covering plants throughout  the valley and forests.  Along our hike this morning we were faced with the option of getting wet or climbing up and over some very slippery, lichen-covered granite with three dogs, a camera and the desire to get to Decker’s! We chose to climb the granite, and after sliding down the “Lichen Luge” we continued on the trail to Decker’s. I hope you enjoy the pictures from today’s hike in the Pike National Forest. Thursday’s trip is planned for a gemstone hike and an update on the “Hayman” burn scar.  For those of you that are not aware, the “Hayman” fire was the largest wildfire in Colorado history that burned over 160,000 acres in 2002.   We will be hiking a portion of the burn scar area, located in the Pike National Forest. Have a happy and safe 4th of July!   Remember to do something helpful for the world today! Pick up a random piece of trash!

Chris