Oh rain, where art thou? This is supposed to be our monsoons (rainy season), but we keep getting humidity without the reward. Sigh. About this time of year, I do miss the water in Colorado: lakes, rivers and streams abound. When it is too hot to do much, I find myself dreaming about adventures gone by that cool me off, even if only in my mind.
One such outing to Young’s Gulch comes to mind where mom’s friend, Jesscy, joined us. She’s a dog lover like my mom and full of energy. We were living in Loveland, Colorado at the time and headed to Fort Collins to connect with the 287 north and followed it out of town. The 287 merges with Highway 14 as it turns west toward the foothills and the Poudre Canyon. Once in Poudre Canyon, we watched for Grey Rock and the Hewlett Gulch trailheads and turned left into the parking area. Look for the trailhead just past the Ansel Watrous Campground.
We went in the summer time, but Young’s Gulch offers scenery any time of year. It is a 5.2-mile round trip hike with a moderate elevation gain. Apparently, the High Park fire swept through in 2012 followed by floods in 2013, closing the trail until recently. From looking at pictures online, the forest doesn’t look the same at all. It breaks my heart, but nature is resilient! And thanks to forest workers, the trail remains. Remember to always check the weather forecast before you head out. In Colorado, it is prudent to wear layers. Temperatures are usually cooler in the mountains, just the way I like them!
This is a good time to remind readers about ticks – those nasty creatures that attach to you, bite you and give 
you Lyme disease. If your dog goes outside, please give him/her monthly flea treatment as a prevention. Humans need to spray bug repellent and pay attention to sweaty areas of their body that attract them.
The first thing I remember about this hike is how fast we moved. Mom has a quick pace, but Jesscy was crazy fast. She’s younger than mom, but we kept up. Good thing I have four legs. Woof! Anyway, we went after it, enjoying the views and then shade of the trees as we headed into the narrow gulch.
This trail has numerous water crossings – too many to count. However, from what mom read, they have built a few bridges now that help. Humans may still want to bring hiking poles to help provide some stability. Me and my kind just jump in and get refreshed. Yeah baby.
Somewhere in there, we took time for some pictures and a food break. In all honesty, it is kind of a blur to me, even now. I do know we had plenty of smiles. Adventures come in all sizes and shapes. Some are fast-paced while others meander along. If you are outside, there are no bad adventures. Stay cool!
My mom, Lorraine Bossé-Smith is kind enough to help me share my Great Adventures, big and small. My mom is a motivational speaker, corporate trainer, business consultant, executive coach, behavioral-wellness expert, and author of nine published books. More importantly, she’s the best doggy mom ever!
Enjoy my blog at https://www.lorrainebosse-smith.com/category/kuma/kumas-great-adventures/
and be sure to follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kumathedog/ and Instagram: kumaitothedog
Get outside! You never know what you’ll discover, and our paths just might cross. Happy tails!
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