August 10, 2014
Today was our first road trip since January! The hiatus was a result of Tim's damaged knee and wretched weather on many weekends. On this hot, sunny Sunday, Tim was going to test his new knee with a 1.5 mile hike on the new Old Sauk Loop Trail. The trail was located just off our beloved Mountain Loop Highway, seventeen miles of which is a one-lane dirt road winding through the mountains and valleys.

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Our first stop was the Big Four picnic area. The mountains look different without snow.
   
     
   
     
I took a quick walk to the ponds beside the boardwalk leading to the ice caves.
 
     
   
     
Next we drove 2 miles up a narrow, twisty path to the Sunrise Mine scenic lookout.
   
     
   
     
There were still tiny patches of snow visible.
  
     
   
     
Soon the meadows will be putting on their Autumn colors.
 
     
   
     
Here's Monte Cristo Lake beside the Mountain Loop Highway.
     
   
     
The south fork of the Sauk river which runs beside the road was barely a trickle.
   
     
   
     
And here we are at the new trailhead for the Old Sauk Interpretive Loop Trail.
  
     
   
     
It's actually closer to 1.5 miles - a good test for Tim''s new knee.
 
     
   
     
Off we go into the woods.

     
   
     
The ground is covered with tall trees, ferns, bushes and plants of all sizes.
   
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