Jean Habeck: Colorado Trails Field Journal
June 20, 2026 - Reynolds Park-Eagles View, Conifer, CO
Time of Day: Morning
Temperature: High 70s
Weather Conditions: Sunny and partly cloudy with smoke
Weather Change from Last Visit: N/A
Wildlife Present: Birds chirping
Plants Identified: Wildflowers - bluebells
Artistic Inspiration: How did your hike inspire you artistically?
Shades of colors from the smoke looked blue and 3D
June 28, 2026 - Elk Meadow-Jenkins/Catamount, Evergreen, CO
Time of Day: Morning
Temperature: 70-80s
Weather Conditions: Sunny & hot with smoke
Weather Change from Last Visit: Warmer than normal
Wildlife Present: Birds, white tail deer, elk, chipmunks, nuthatch squirrel
Plants Identified: Aspen, pine, wildflowers-bluebells, cinquefoil
Artistic Inspiration: How did your hike inspire you artistically?
Looking at Mt. Blue Sky through the smoke
Observation:
Fires in area and smoke caused by
climate change (my interpretation only not scientific)
and extreme heat
Wildlife—Elk and deer and wildflowers out
Elk Meadow — Catamount & Jenkins Trail
The hike through Elk Meadow on the Catamount and Jenkins Trails was a beautiful experience on a very hot, sunny day. The air was smoky, making it difficult to see the mountains clearly in places, but when the views opened up, I could see Mount Blue Sky and panoramic views across the surrounding mountains. I photographed the landscape and captured video of the mountain views, along with trees and rocks that caught my attention because of their interesting shapes and textures.
The wildflowers were especially beautiful, with yellow, purple, and lavender blooms scattered along the trail. I also noticed how distinctive and photographic the trees were and found myself capturing the natural details around me as much as the mountain views. Elk and deer are regularly present throughout Elk Meadow and are an important part of the wildlife and natural character of this landscape.
Despite the intense heat and smoke, I remember feeling happy and grateful to be outside, surrounded by the scenery and beauty of the mountains, wildflowers, and forest. It was a beautiful day to be out exploring and experiencing the landscape.
July 4, 2026 - Elk Meadow-Jenkins/Bobcat trails, Evergreen, CO
Time of Day: Morning
Temperature: High 70s
Weather Conditions: Sunny
Weather Change from Last Visit: Hot in the morning
Wildlife Present: Birds, nuthatch, deer, elk, chipmunks, squirrels
Plants Identified: N/A
Artistic Inspiration: How did your hike inspire you artistically?
Took lots of photos
Maybe do a sketch of flowers
July 5, 2026 - Guanella Pass-Three Mile Creek, Georgetown, CO
Time of Day: Morning
Temperature: High 60s
Weather Conditions: Sunny
Weather Change from Last Visit: Cooler in the high altitude
Wildlife Present: Birds chirping
Plants Identified: Aspen, pine, phlox, black eyed susan, aster, river flowing-clear
Artistic Inspiration: How did your hike inspire you artistically?
Guanella Pass was full of life and movement, with many people hiking the trails and taking in the scenery. Higher up, patches of snow still lingered at the colder elevations, while below, the water shimmered in a striking turquoise blue. Birds could be heard singing throughout the landscape, adding to the sense of quiet connection in nature. The trail itself was slick in places, and above timberline the terrain shifted dramatically—trees disappeared, giving way to open, rocky expanses where the wind grew stronger and could be heard moving across the peaks. The weather changed quickly in the mountains, reminding you how dynamic and unpredictable this environment can be. The scent of pine filled the air along the lower trails, and there were more dogs on the path than expected, adding energy to the hike. With no internet or WiFi, it was just you and nature, fully present in the moment. All the senses were engaged—sight, sound, smell, and touch—capturing the vastness and beauty of the landscape through experience and photographs taken along the way.
Observations:
Cool mountain breeze
Clear running stream flowing
No smoke
Lots of people as it is a tourist attraction
Wildflowers were out
Long grasses by river
Nice trail that crosses the main road and I went up the mountain with my dog
Sat and listened to the water flowing and there were flies there
Heard the birds chirping
My Reflection
Guanella Pass — Three Mile Creek
Hiking Three Mile Creek at Guanella Pass was a very different experience from some of my other summer hikes. At the higher elevation, the temperatures were cooler and the mountain air felt fresh and clean. The landscape was filled with aspens, pine trees, rocks, mountains, and beautiful wildflowers in yellow-gold and lavender-purple.
The clear, yellowish-greenish water flowing through the creek immediately caught my attention. Its sound was calming, and I could hear birds singing as well as the voices of other hikers, since Guanella Pass is a popular destination. I photographed the creek, mountains, trees, wildflowers, rocks, with Kailee, my dog as we explored.
What stayed with me most was the feeling of peace. Being surrounded by the high-country landscape, listening to the flowing water, breathing the mountain air, and simply being present in nature gave me a deep sense of calm.
July 10, 2026 - Staunton State Park-Scout Line>Marmot Passage>Staunton Ranch, Pine, CO
Time of Day: Morning
Temperature: 70-80s
Weather Conditions: Sunny
Weather Change from Last Visit: Hotter by the time we finished as I’ve been here several times
Wildlife Present: Birds chirping, deer
Plants Identified: Aspen, Pine
Artistic Inspiration: How did your hike inspire you artistically?
Took lots of photos
July 11, 2026 - Sapphire Point, Swan Mtn Rd, Summit County, CO
Time of Day: Afternoon
Temperature: High 80s
Weather Conditions: Sunny
Weather Change from Last Visit: Hotter than when I lived here as no snow on top of Buffalo Mtn.
Wildlife Present: Birds chirping-Mtn, Blue Jay, chipmunk
Plants Identified: Aspen, pine, pine beetle trees
Artistic Inspiration: How did your hike inspire you artistically?
Took lots of photos
Working on the painting of Buffalo Mountain
Observation: I have never seen Dillon Lake this low due to the drought we are having in CO from lack of snow last winter and drought we are experiencing now with water rationing in Denver…there’s usually some a patch of snow on top of Buffalo Mountain (round one)
Hardly any smoke up there but was hotter than normal summers I’ve lived there…
I thought…
Climate change (I’m not a scientist so it was my interpretation only) is affecting our planet…especially in the mountains where the temperature is higher than normal as I lived here for 5 years and it snowed on July 4th one year…
Swan Mountain Road — Sapphire Point
Sapphire Point is one of my favorite places in Colorado. I lived nearby for a time, so this landscape holds a very personal connection for me. I know the surrounding mountains well and have spent time hiking in this area, including Buffalo Mountain, which I hope to use as inspiration for my artwork for this project.
The short hike to Sapphire Point offers an incredible panoramic view of the crystal blue Lake Dillon and Buffalo Mountain and the other surrounding mountains. The day was beautiful, with the scent of pine trees filling the air, although the overlook was busy with many visitors. As I photographed the mountains, lake, trees, Mountain Blue Jay and landscape, I was struck by how low Lake Dillon was. It was the lowest I have ever seen it, which was difficult to ignore given the drought conditions Colorado has been experiencing.
Returning to this familiar landscape brought back many wonderful memories. Being surrounded by the mountains and the high-country environment reminded me how much this place has meant to me and how grateful I am to be able to return.
July 18, 2026 - Meyers Ranch-Old Ski Run, Conifer, CO
Time of Day: Morning
Temperature: High 70s
Weather Conditions: Sunny with partly cloudy
Weather Change from Last Visit: Hot in the morning
Wildlife Present: Birds chirping
Plants Identified: Aspen, pine
Artistic Inspiration: How did your hike inspire you artistically?
Took lots of photos
August 15, 2026 - Elk Meadow-Jenkins Trail, CO
Time of Day: Morning
Temperature: High 70s
Weather Conditions: Sunny with partly cloud
Weather Change from Last Visit: Mild weather
Wildlife Present: Birds
Plants Identified: Aspen, pine, asters, thistles, black eyed susan, wooly groundsel, bluebells
Artistic Inspiration: How did your hike inspire you artistically?
The morning at Elk Meadow was cool and mild, with a storm beginning to move in as I finished my hike. I was surrounded by a beautiful variety of wildflowers, each adding different colors and textures to the landscape. The woods and meadow felt peaceful and alive, with birds singing throughout the trail. Watching the weather change while being surrounded by the wildflowers and trees reminded me how quickly the mountain environment can shift and how much there is to notice when I slow down and experience it.
I also photographed an area showing the effects of a recent wildfire, a reminder of how much the landscape can change over time and how important it is to protect these natural spaces.
August 22, 2026 - Elk Meadow-Jenkins Trail
Time of Day: Morning
Temperature: 60s-80s
Weather Conditions: Sunny and hazy
Weather Change from Last Visit: Hotter
Wildlife Present: Grasshoppers
Plants Identified: Pine, aspen and pine beetle affected trees
Artistic Inspiration: How did your hike inspire you artistically?
I think the absence of the usual little animals is actually an interesting observation in itself. I normally notice wildlife when I’m out there, so having an entire hike with no squirrels or chipmunks stood out to me…
It sounds like a very different Elk Meadow than I experienced on some of your other hikes — hotter, drier, hazier, quieter in terms of mammals, but still full of flowers, birdsong, and little signs of life.
