Visited my all time favorite place to pray, to hike, to talk to myself and just wander the scores of trails on this craggy, barren high ground covered in rocks, buffalo grass and rattlesnakes.
I rarely hike this mountain with a companion. This is the place I go when problems need sorting, when I need to yell at myself or at God without intrusions.
The mountain sits atop 2000 acres of grassy plains at an elevation of 6800 feet and which abuts the Rocky Mountain Range. Golden, CO sits at the northern base. Golden was once the capital of Colorado. Now its a sleepy little western town, a tourist attraction.
There seem to be no more than 7 or 8 trees on this mountain. The sky is a dark violet hue showing the lack of atmosphere.
Denver and it's environs sit along the eastern side of the mountain.
Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs can be seen clearly even though its 70 miles to the south. Longs Peak in Estes Park can be seen as well if one looks north. It is 75 miles away.
Green Mountain was essentially Buffalo Bill Cody's back yard and he rode his charger throughout this mountain.
Yesterday, I encountered many wild daisies and goldenrods as well as prickly pear cacti. Up on the jeep trail as I trudged slowly to the summit my walking stick alerted me to a western diamond back rattlesnake on the north edge of the trail. I hadn't seen a rattler since the time I killed one on Hogback Ridge just a stones throw west across Rooney Road.
The snake was sitting in the middle of the very narrow trail with cliffs on both sides so I couldn't circumvent the serpent. So, I began tossing smallish boulders at it and finally one found its mark and did away with this vermin.
I remember carting its carcass home to scare the girls. It worked! Miss those days with my Griders!
It was an arduous climb even after walking across the country. The air was thinner too. It was hot and dry.
I really missed my mountain so it was good to be back home.
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