Piceance Creek/Sand Wash Basin trip, #3 – 4/12

Onward. We continued on the Cathedral Bluffs road stopping at one point to check a water hole. It was dry, but we found a treasure that Diane was able to take home to her son.

Deer shed (antler)

There is so much to see, find, explore and enjoy in the horse ranges. This antler was still in good shape. Not yet chewed up by little critters.

Further down the road is a memorial with a variety of survival supplies within its structure that’s dedicated to a hunter that was lost in a storm. There’s also a place to sign a notebook telling folks that you were there and anything else you want to write about. We always stop.

Almost like they were placed there, we came across some horse bones at the memorial site. Having a Vet along with us was so much fun and interesting. Diane collected the bones and put them together like a puzzle and then demonstrated how they functioned together.

We dropped out of the Cathedral Bluffs area and decided to venture down Duck Creek where there is a large water hole with lots of horsey traffic. On the way, we told Diane that last summer, Melissa Kindall of the Meeker BLM had shown us an endangered plant that is found only in the Piceance Basin and it was on the way to where we were going. We were hoping to see it in bloom this time.

Melissa (Meeker BLM) points out the tiny Dudley Bluffs Bladderpod (a mustard plant) to us last summer and tells us to be sure to look for it while it’s blooming in the spring.

I’m sure Diane thought we were crazy when Tom and I got excited when we found some in bloom. (Information about the Dudley Bluffs Bladderpod can be found here:  Bladderpod)

After walking very carefully back to the Jeep (those Bladderpod’s are tiny!), we drove to the waterhole. Our timing was good. There were horses.

I spot the black boy first – he’s pretty close to the road and is the look out for the others.

He looks towards the waterhole.

As I get out and follow the direction of his gaze, I spot another horse. I believe this one is known as Henry.

And another horse joins him…

And then they were off.

Streaking across the road to the north.

I’ve always liked this boy. I have often wondered if he’s Handsome’s offspring. They used to share close proximity when this guy was a satellite stallion for a big bay band stallion.

Feeling like they’re a safe distance away, they turn to look at us. A group of 5 bachelor stallions.

This little guy is “Kindall” and he was easily spooked.

Our first day was coming to a close. We decided to quickly check the pasture again on Yellow Creek before heading back to town.

And there at the north end of the pasture is HANDSOME. Greeted by my favorite boy first thing in the morning and then wrapping the day up with him – several miles from the original sigting too. Doesn’t get much better than that!

He’s not alone this time. There is a another bachelor stallion following behind him.

Handsome enjoys a good, dusty roll.

And off he goes. Take care boy.

This had been a great day and there were still two more days to go.

Part One of the trip can be viewed at the link below:
http://wp.me/pqR49-2RG

Part Two of the trip can be viewed at the link below:
http://wp.me/pqR49-2TD

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