Bald Ridge

 Yesterday we decided to take a few of the llamas on a spring training hike to Bald Ridge. It is a great place to hike with beautiful views. The area is closed until May 1st each year as it is labeled a Critical Big Game Wintering Area. The game in question is primarily elk and we saw a small herd on the flatland on our way to the trailhead as you can see in this photo to the left.  





Once you leave the trailhead the views just keep getting better. I love the look of the red cliffs with he backdrop of snow covered mountains. Too bad we didn't have a blue sky but it was still wonderful to see the area.

This was a training hike in three different ways:

* The length of the hike - about 10 miles
* The elevation change - about 2000' up and the same back down
* The company - two friends accompanied us along with their german shepherd puppy. Dogs are a natural enemy of llamas and it was pretty hard for them to get used to hiking with one. Bill had to stay ahead most of the hike with the puppy on a leash the whole way.

 In this photo you can get a sense of the elevation change.

Our friends are on top with the dog. We tied up the llamas below and then joined them for lunch on high.

The view of Heart Mountain on the return was worth the whole trip!