Rocky Mountain Biological Lab and Judd Falls

Sunday we drove back up to Crested Butte, specifically Gothic City, to visit Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory.  There are 2 tours given a day, we signed up for the 11am tour.  Greta our tour guide provided so much information about the environment (why the wildflowers are so profuse in the area - has to do with the Mancos Shale and the Gothic Mountains made up of laccolithe rock), how RMBL has impacted the world's ecology - was the writer and enforcer of the Clean Air Act, and how the ongoing scientific studies currently (and past) are impacting how we live today and into the future.  They study plants, bugs, climate, ecology, and so much more.

Bees are a huge study at RMBL

This little guy was very nosy, a month old in age

They have marked the backs of the marmots to identify them

We were a tidge high

Along the sides of the mountains you can see the on-going projects - tents covering protected species.  They even study the marmot and we were privy to see the babies that were just born a month ago, they were out giving us the hi-five.  The scientists mark the backs of the marmots which explains why the ones we did see look different from each other.

Common sight - weatherproof tents to protect the studies, seen everywhere

After the tour we decided to mosey up the mountain further and we stopped at Judd Falls to take a quick hike to see them.  Pretty rocky at times, rated moderate which we could see why because of the footing at times was dicey, but the falls was a pretty place.  A bench was set up in honor of the old-time miner who stayed behind after the silver prospectors left, and he acted as guardian to all of Gothic.

Our trail (the Judd Falls trail)

Very rocky road to the trailhead

We made it, Judd Falls

Little beggar, sitting by the bench where we were

Pathway was very rocky

After the hike we wanted to continue up the road to Schoefield Pass but the weather was threatening and we decided to turn around once the rain started.  Didn't want to be caught in muddy roads.  We were treated to seeing 2 moose foraging in an area right off the road.  Pretty cool.

Our hike was shared with MANY bikers

Scientific studies going on all over

Cars were stopped -asked what you lookin' at?  2 Moose!

Neat!