I joined up with friends for two wonderful day hikes last weekend: Bald Mountain and Blueberry Mountain, both in the Weld area near Mount Blue State Park and Tumbledown.

The heat and humidity was atrocious, and the bugs, well, there were plenty of them. But the hiking was fantastic. We were even treated to a little thunder and lightning excitement on top of Blueberry.

I'd never climbed either mountain, so it was great, as always, to be out exploring new hiking terrain.

The Bald Mountain Trail crosses Wilson Stream, a great spot to cool off "post-hike."

Hiking up through the the heavily logged lower slopes of Bald Mountain.

Moss emphasizing the wavy patterns in the glacier-scoured rock on Bald Mtn.

Beautiful white dikes of quartzite in the granite of Bald Mtn.

Hiking through ferns and birches high on Blueberry Mountain.

Late afternoon sun on birches along the Blueberry Mtn. Trail.

Hmmm. Where to this weekend? So much to do, so little time...

What will you be doing?