Bergen Gulch - A Discreet Wetland

Bergen Gulch


Settled below the southern slopes of Bergen Peak, Bergen Gulch is a discreet wetland that supports flowers, birds and wildlife. This time of year the cattails are beginning to ripen and the lupine are in full bloom so blackbirds and elk engage in a territorial dispute over the bountiful land.


Filling the discreet ravine, the large-leaved lupine are massive plants whose ladder-like blossoms climb towards the sky. The hungry wapiti are anything but gentle as they tromp through the purple field, consuming a huge swath in a single sitting.


The little red-wings have fledged so while they’re learning to fly, their protective parents aggressively dive-bomb anyone who happens to wander into the area. The conglomeration of chickadees, juncos and nuthatches is small but noisy as the busy birds scour the ponderosa pine for anything edible.


Branching off from Bergen Peak’s most beautiful side, the muddy drainage, depending on the season, varies from a trickle to a deluge. The small valley is surrounded by steep hills, littered with fallen logs and broken by rocky ground, making nimble footing a necessity.


After the chaos of completing another week, the serenity from spending time in nature is sought but there is difficulty finding somewhere secluded. During the summer, when the main parks are occupied by lots of people, this place always seems to be pretty quiet.


Southern slopes of Bergen Peak

A discreet wetland

Lupine are in full bloom

Large-leaved

Massive plants

Ladder-like blossoms

Elk territory

Bountiful land

Hungry wapiti

Spending time in nature

In a purple field

The place is pretty quiet

Consuming a huge swath

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