“Your father’s blessings are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains,
than the bounty of the age-old hills.” Genesis 49:26 NIV
Crested Butte, Colorado sits in a valley of magnificent mountains. We drove north through Mt. Crested Butte until the road turned to dirt in search of “one of the most beautiful valleys in Colorado.” We passed through Aspen lanes providing shade and a hint of golden Autumn glory to come.
The town of Gothic north of Mt. Crested Butte, has a rich mining history and is now the center of Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL), a research center drawing scientists from all over the world. The town is privately owned and is home to scientists and students throughout the year. The studies include pollination biology and was founded by Dr. John Johnson in 1928.
Passing the RMBL Visitor center in the middle of Gothic, we headed for the unknown. When you find a bathroom and large parking area, it must be good. We found a road and a path leading to Judd Falls.
If you are not acclimated to 10,000 feet elevation, I recommend taking the more gradual road up to the hiking path. There were two more parking areas on the climb on a difficult road for cars that we passed before we found the path.
The sound of insects, angry grasshoppers and buzzing bees was the only thing to hear. The wildflowers of aster, clover, fireweed, and small daisies greeted your eye with purple, pink, magenta and yellow fields. There are a few steep and rocky parts, but it is a well-marked trail. The valley views are truly spectacular and worth the trip.
Do you take pictures of wildflowers? What are your favorites? What do you like about the study of biology? Where was your memory of a favorite valley?