ENTS,

   This morning I took advantage of the cool air and went for a 2.5 to 3.0 mile hike. I walked down the street for about 4 blocks to the end of the development and then cut up a narrow, steep trail to the crest of Raider Ridge and onto the ridge crest trail. It takes about 18 minutes to get to the trailhead. The climb to the destination point required approximately 850 vertical feet of altitude gain and was worth every foot of it. I found a few Colorado blue spruces below the summit of the ridge. None were photogenic, so I didn't take any pictures. Most of the trees along the path are juniper, pinyon pine, ponderosa pine, and Douglas fir. I encountered a scattering of wild flowers on the ridge including over the hill displays of lupine and balsam root. All told there are about 15 species still blooming. 
    One does not bushwhack on the ridge. There are dense thickets of gambel oak that would make going virtually impossible without the trail and most of the way up, in the dense thickets, but once you get to the crest, the view is extraordinary in every direction. The image following this description was taken from the crest trail and looks to the southeast. In the distance, the south end of Durango is just visible in the valley. 
    This afternoon, I went for a second walk on the northern part of Raider Ridge and 'discovered' old growth. I've uploaded 4 images to the ENTS list on Googlegroups.

Image 0052 is of a stand of gambel oaks that probably grew in after a past fire on the ridge. I think they can be very aesthetic.

Image 0053 is looking toward a pretty old pine - I'm guessing 150 to 175 years old.

Image 0057 shows a cluster of old ponderosas. None are very large. The terrain is quite severe.

Finally, 0061 shows an old ponderosa up close and personal. Oh yes, and there are some very old Doug firs. I'll photograph them next. 
    Across the street from the house there is a small greenway, a child's playground, and a tennis court, all well designed. All the homes in this neighborhood are tasteful and customized in design. As neighborhoods go, it is most pleasing and I am happy to be hear. However, the real treasure of the spot is the immediate proximity of wild lands. Mountain lions have been seen on Raider Ridge, along with black bear. Mule deer are common and can run through yards. Coyotes are common.  

Bob