Boulder Hopping - Wolf Creek Pass

After fishing for a couple hours this morning at Pass Creek Lake (and catching a nice 14 inch keeper to supplement yesterday's catch of two Browns at Beaver Creek Reservoir), I decided to finally stop on the way back down the canyon to try floating a fly in a few of the beautiful pools along the road (Rt. 160) that have attracted my attention on numerous return trips down the pass.  After catching 3 trout and releasing 2, I decided that if no one had already pulled off at a spot just below the Lake Fork Trailhead then, I would.  Upon passing mile marker 176, I could see the spot was empty and no one approaching me from behind (as I had let two cars pass me when I was at the Lake Fork Trailhead pull-off) so, if nothing else I would at least get some close-up views of the scenic spots that had so many times distracted and drawn me to them.

The hope of catching a Brookie or two was in the back of my mind as I readied an Elk Hair Caddis on my lighter line -- maybe 4 pound test -- and I pulled a couple floats out of my vest pockets to attach when I got close to the stream.  I really didn't have the slightest hope of catching anything but, treated this as an exploratory, boulder hopping, photo-op search of the beautiful spots I have passed so many times since this past spring and two months of July and August.

Since I didn't have my soft hiking shoes on and instead had on my sandals, I had some doubt about negotiating some of the tricky areas -- no problem though as most of the boulders and rocks seemed fairly well lodged if not cemented in place (at most paths I chose).

When I eased down from the side of the road where I parked the Jeep, I noticed that the gigantic boulders that supported the pull-out area also, created some large caves beneath -- maybe home for a wild creature or two but, I wasn't about to climb in there and check it out.  Instead I headed for the nearest pool and snapped on a float above the fly and hoped for some action (which never came).

Then, I headed over the other side of the pull-out and downstream to check the other pools and white water-falls that I could see and hopped from boulder to boulder and shimmied between some larger ones to get close to the water where I tried numerous casts and just enjoyed the sounds of the rushing water and the beautiful scenery.  Some places were just narrow openings by the larger boulders and trees near the roadway above which I squeezed through with side-glances at other small caves or recesses that again could have provided shelter for some small creatures.

After some 45 minutes or more of dodging and weaving my way down and through the boulders, I decided to go back and get the camera since the fishing had produced no results.  All in all, a worthwhile stop to get close to the abundance of beauty that fills this area -- fills my eyes and mind completely.  I love this area.

Can't get enough of this and never could.  Can you blame me?

Now to get those fish ready for the grille and some scalloped potatoes and salad too.  Mother nature provides the best.