Just 25 minutes from home and I've never been here before! What is wrong with me?!
More Machu Picchu training. This one fitted the bill because it was less intense from an elevation gain standpoint at just 1250' to climb, but more than 10 miles long - to test our "time on feet" capacity. We'd be following it with a couple of miles dog walk by mid afternoon and welcomed the chance to try ourselves with more than 12 miles in one day.
Heil Ranch is open to the public with no parking fee from sunrise to sunset. You betcha we were there at sunrise. It's the most wonderful time of the day! Usually the coolest and today, the least chance of thunderstorm activity. Bonus!
The burn scars have their own unique beauty, and the wildlife has moved back in to claim its rightful place.
A bit about the fire that has left it's mark here: The Cal-wood Fire, which started October 17, 2020 consumed much of Heil Ranch when it burned 10,000 acres - 5,000 burned in the first 5 hours! After the fire, wind toppled the charred trees easily and erosion took its toll. There has been a lot of work performed by Boulder County to help it recover faster and to make it accessible and safer for the hikers and bikers that frequent this beautiful spot.
Who knew turkeys could read?!
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