Ptarmigan or Wild Turkeys

The Warden at the campground suggested this trail, "Its a few miles up the road"- easily marked. It was, for us. However, there were a group of teenagers at the trailhead. We parked Little Debbie and they started walking our direction at the end of the lot. I sarcastically say, "You lost whippersnappers, the trailhead is the other way" while they whip out their maps. Really a map, how about the big sign that says Ptarmigan Trailhead? Just go there, I thought. They continue to explain to us that they are , "totally lost" and that they can't figure out where to go. We point to the big sign. They go down the other direction claiming that the sign leads to a dead end. This is somewhat understandable, if you take the position that it would not be uncommon for teens to NOT read carefully. A few half mile down the pass it looks like its over- yet another sign says, closed trail and under the big words, "Closed Trail" there are pictures for the not so discerning reader. Big red X's go through pictures of cars, ATVs, hunters, and bikers. However, the pictures of skiers and hikes get no X's. So the kids assumed it was a closed trail and followed some driveway to nowhere. So we thought. On our way up the trail about mile 3, I announce that they could have just pulled off the biggest sham on the CO trailheads where they play stupid and lost, scope out your car, and steal your gear and stuff from the parking lot while you are out hiking. Turns out, they just couldn't read. We saw them again at the campground where we were staying and they were debating if they could use the well for drinking water because the sign said no hair washing or dishwashing. Hm... this year at school, I will be extra sure to teach young whippersnappers to pay attention to the details! Gosh. What's all this got to do with wild turkeys? Well, this CO trail had Ptarmigan- fun. Yesterday biking the Salt Creek we were cut off the paved path by a giant Wild Turkey! Somehow, they relate.