Needing a break from the farm work and granted another sunny, mild day, I opted for a hike in the mountains and headed for the Deer Creek Trailhead, which provides access to the southeast edge of the Mt. Evans Wilderness. Picking up the Tanglewood Trail, I snaked upward through the rich, subalpine forest, serenaded by mountain chickadees and scolded by red squirrels. Not having the time (or energy) to reach timberline, I settled for distant and transient views of Bandit Peak and Mt. Rosalie but was rewarded with fresh mountain air, the fragrance of a coniferous forest and the beauty of clear, turbulent streams.
Wilderness hikes offer solitude and tranquility but do not always provide the wildlife diversity that some might expect. Though interesting encounters can and do occur, the native creatures have miles of open space to explore and are not in the business of entertaining human visitors. Of course, there are exceptions, especially if a picnic lunch unfolds or a campsite is established; then, the sounds and aromas attract some of our more curious neighbors, including Steller's jays, gray jays, Clark's nutcrackers and those supreme opportunists, black bears.
In the end, wilderness exploration is all about the landscape, a chance to understand the topography and immerse yourself in the ecosystem. Additional benefits, no less important, are the opportunities to test your body, relax your mind and recharge your soul. For these reasons alone, all wilderness must be protected.
