August 8-10, 2016 Maroon Bells scenic area, Colorado

We are now ensconced in our private campsite at the Maroon Bells Scenic Area-across the street from the campgrounds. There are three campgrounds with a total of 24 campsites. We are going to be hosts for a month. Our main job is to  be a presence in the campgrounds and to remind people to put their food etc in the bear boxes in the eveing after dinner.  The rest of the day we can do whatever we want. We could hike a different trail every day for our month and never leave the Aspen area.

The bus in our new home for the next month. Above us is the solar panel that will be our power once someone turns it on and hooks us up. We also have water and sewer. Our backyard is  full of daisies , sunshine and aspens.

John in his forest service host uniform-Emblemed shirt, windbreaker and hat  with radio and map of the area. Last light on the Maroon Bells.

Last light on the Sievers Mountain  to the north of Maroon Lake and  on the valley across from our campsite. Maroon Bells are this maroon rock color and shaped like bells, hence the name.

In the morning we were pleasantly surprised when one of the volunteers  from Aspen Forest Service office delivered the morning papers to us-we get them every morning. Later in the morning Jess, Jimjim and Martha came by to welcome us. One of Martha’s many responsibilities is overseening the 180 volunteers in this area. She got us this job when the previous host had RV problems and had to leave a month early. Another view of our site.

Jess, John, Martha and Jimjim trying to hook us up to the solar.  It needs to be turned on. The maintance guy will come by tomorrow and hopefully hook us up. Moss campion, snake on the Carbondale bike path, senico, a black and white butterfly and a  Hydaspe Fritillary butterfly.

Our boss Peggy Jo dropped by to bring us some supplies and tour our  bus. John and I  hiked the Scenic Trail in the bells today. Like all of them are not scenic. The two prominate  peaks, Maroon and North Maroon-the bells- are two of Colorado’s 54 14ers, or peaks taller than 14,ooo feet.  The bells  are very dangerous to climb, besides being very steep and technical the rock is also rotten and breaks off easily when you step or hang from it. The high Rocky mountains in the summer are spectacular.

This is the same shot I posted a couple days ago when the view of the peaks was obcured by clouds. This area was carved by glaciers so there are deep valleys and very rugged peaks. Past Maroon Lake is the Maroon Bells-Snowmass wilderness area. This porcupine warning was in the campground. There used to be a problem with porcupines that ate the wiring in cars and RV’s. They claim they have left, but two guests told us today they saw a huge one today.

There was the usual afternoon thunder shower. John in his cagoule with his fanny pack on underneath. Then the sun came back out on Pyramid  Peak another 14er. It is unbelivably green and lush here, it almost looks fake, too pretty to believe.

Sun on the green and red scenery.  Maroon Valley and the campgrounds are in White River national forest and it is surrounded by wilderness.  Wilderness is part of our nation’s wild heritage. The natural processes, water and wildlife habitat is protected.

Afternoon light on our backyard with the wild daisies and aspen trees. We had dinner in the backyard. John is wearing his forest service campground host uniform.  After dinner we went to work.

As hosts we greet and welcome the guests to the campgrounds, answer questions and make sure people are bear aware. That they put their food etc in their cars, or better still the bear boxes-pictured above in the lower right. A clean campsite keeps the bears away. If the bears think they can get food they come into the camp and are considered problem bears. They are then either relocated or killed.