{"id":12115,"date":"2020-03-28T04:58:00","date_gmt":"2020-03-28T11:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/?p=12115"},"modified":"2021-08-27T05:52:25","modified_gmt":"2021-08-27T12:52:25","slug":"the-aspen-loop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/?p=12115","title":{"rendered":"The Aspen loop"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As the month of October <\/strong>rolls around, the aspen trees of Coconino county put on a spectacular show of color. I head on up to the Arizona snowbowl to hike the Aspen loop and immerse myself in the annual beauty of changing leaves and crisp air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Aspen loop<\/strong>, I discover, is a short trail more for families to walk and enjoy the beauty without having to exert much energy. Not what I was looking for exactly, but with hardly anyone around this early in the morning, I relish in the quiet. A small snake wriggles past me and disappears into the tall grass. Perhaps the elk may make an appearance. I find a lean-to shelter to sit in for a spell, watching to see what Nature may do in the wooded quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Birds fill the silence<\/strong> with their morning songs. I sit on volcanic rocks and read, passing the time slowly as the sun rises up in the sky and slowly over the aspens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As morning starts to turn<\/strong> into mid-day, the area becomes more crowded, which is the sign for me to move on. I decide to circle around the mighty Mount Humphrey to see if I can find a more challenging and less crowded trail…..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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