FINALLY!! The horses have come home to Coal Canyon. Nitro, Medicine Hat and Flame were all there today! They were all down pretty far too. Usually, Medicine Hat and Flame are much farther back. But, lucky for us, they were just past the upper gas pad near Good Memory Hill. I was really glad to see them, but dismayed to see that Sassy and Sonoma did not come down with Nitro. I kind of thought they wouldn't, but was hoping. Sassy gets so thin during the winter and she is nursing a foal this time. But, she is a very stubborn, independent  mare! Two winters ago, as I left the range after the last trip up, she and her yearling were alone. Oh well, spring will tell the tale. I was just hoping she would come down this time. Sigh.... they never do what you want them to do. LOL  Anyway, they are all still looking pretty good. Nitro and Medicine Hat are showing a few ribs, but not bad. They both like to "push" each other around, so that keeps them from putting on weight. They were scrapping a bit today when we were there! BOYS!!!! , I guess they just like to fight! Part of their genetic makeup.

 

Finally saw Spin again today too. Although, he is one of the bands that stays in the lower canyons all year, I have not seen him in a couple of months. It was good to see him again and looking well too.  Magnum was in Coal Canyon today too. He was just below the upper gas pad, between the pad and the strip mine. Spin was a couple miles from the gate. All the other bands were about a mile, mile and a half from the upper gas pad.

 

What a great day. Got to see lots of horses, the sun was shining and felt warm, no wind, great company ( I went with Marty), lots of exercise, couldn't ask for much more. The temperature was in the teens when we started out and by the time we were done, the temperature was in the low 30's. There was about 6-8 inches of snow in most places, but I did go in over my knees in a few places too.  What a great way to end the year!

 

Now, if only Gunsmoke, Diamond Rio and Boone will make their appearance. I hope for Onyx to come back too, but that is not likely. He picked up his first mares this spring and they are definitely mares that stay on top. I don't think he will "convince" them to come to the lower canyon. Poor Cloud would probably have a heart attack anyway! She does NOT like people very well. Can't have everything I guess. LOL

 

One more thing... The eeriest thing happened today. While we were hiking there was a pack of coyotes on the back side of Mt. Garfield that kept howling. I don't usually hear them during the day. Kept looking for them, but never did see them. Sure heard them though!

Marty and I went up Main Canyon today. We started out with the temperature only in the single digits, but it soon "warmed" up into the teens. It really felt warmer than that though with the sun shining. It was a beautiful day out! There was about 2-4 inches of snow in most places with some places having even a bit more than that. We only saw Magnum's band today and they were right across the saddle in the bottom. But, we walked to Spring Creek anyway just to see if any others were around. No luck, not even any tracks. Next time I guess we need to try Coal Canyon.  The horses are still looking good. It was nice to finally see horses. The last two times I was up there, none were around! Talk about withdrawals! Whew, glad that is over! LOL.  But, it was a great day to be out. Any time one can see horses and be out in the sunshine is a good day, in my opinion!  Wish I had more news for you, but we take what we can get this time of year!

Marty and I hiked as far as the Rock Ponds today. NO HORSES!!! We looked over the saddle into Main Canyon too...NO HORSES!!! There is snow, it has gotten cold and NO HORSES!!! At this rate it is going to be a long, boring winter. Usually the cold and snow drive them down. We did not even see tracks today. Well, not horse tracks anyway. We saw what looked like maybe a bobcat and also a coyote track. But that was it! This is the first time I have been in both canyons and been "skunked". Talk about depressing! Geez !  They better show up soon. I can't go all winter without seeing them.  I am jumping the gun here. They will be around, they just weren't today is all.  At least we got a good hike in. There was barely any wind (for a change), it cleared up and we had blue skies and sun most of the trip. But next time there had better be horses!!!! LOL