Chimney Gulch - Seeking Silence

Chimney Gulch

"There is in every American, I think, something of the old Daniel Boone - who, when he could see the smoke from another chimney, felt himself too crowded and moved further out into the wilderness." ~ Hubert H. Humphrey

Chimney Gulch is a steep gully that drains into Clear Creek just west of Golden, Colorado. Upstream from the Coors Brewery, kayakers take a beating while training in a whitewater playground. Crossing the bridge and slashing through a jungle is required during a lowland approach to the ravine's upper reaches.

A path of red dirt has been worn into the contours of the shaggy, green mountainside. On an ordinary evening you'll probably see magpies and mule deer. Alert as ever, they will only tolerate a peaceful encounter. Pressing onward will involve some huffing and puffing but the effort will earn isolation for those seeking silence from the bustling city far below.

Sweeping views of a fervent sunset in the foothills will entice the watcher to procrastinate the descent but darkness does not dawdle. Stay as long as you like because if you hustle down the pipe, you'll make it back to civilization lickety-split.

The gully drains into Clear Creek

Kayakers battle whitewater

Welcome to the jungle

Eastern fox squirrel

A tolerant magpie

You'll see deer in the evening

A bridge to silence

Dusk in the foothills

Comments

  1. Courtney - Maui JungalowJuly 14, 2014 at 9:50 PM

    Ooh, love the gully photo, Dan.Red dirt! We have lots of that in Hawaii. What a wonderful place to explore.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerJuly 15, 2014 at 9:06 AM

      Thanks Courtney, it's a fun trail. Starts in the city but if you keep going up and out you'll soon find some peace and quiet, and some lovely pictures.

      Delete

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