(This is bit of a follow-up from my earlier post of my brush with the easternmost edge of the Rockies Foothills). 
Located in the heart of Rockies, the official name of this Coyote Valley is "Kawuneeche Valley" ("Kawuneeche" meaning "Valley of Coyotes" in the native Arapaho language). At the upper corner of this valley, the Colorado River (of Grand Canyon fame) originates as a small stream, from one of the small lakes called "La Poudre Pass Lake". Of course, the Colorado River came into existence first triggered by the melted glaciers from even higher-up altitudes of Rockies, and then formed this lake (pool of water), and next, with its onward flow, carved out this 20-mile-long valley. These are the 20 miles I've flown today for this post. Colorado River would travel further (southward) for nearly 1,500 miles more, through U.S. and Mexico, carving out deep canyons such as in Grand Canyon, to eventually drain into the Gulf of California. I remember its massive power and flow, while visiting the famous Hoover Dam (I recall it was a (tourist bus) visit to the Dam, during one of my trips to Las Vegas).

In the "Kawuneeche Valley", Coyotes are known to live. Now, the Coyotes, a species found in Central and North Americas, are not nice animals and known to attack pets and humans. In a local (suburban) park and lake, that I often visit for walks, there are two trails (one more populated and the other not so much). Once, getting curious, I got near the entrance of the other trail, and stopped on my tracks when I noticed the (posted) warning sign, "COYOTES HAVE BEEN SPOTTED IN THIS AREA. KEEP YOUR DOG ON A SHORT LEASH". OK, with or without a dog, I didn't (and will not) wish to venture further into that part of the trail. Anyway, here, for this post and my virtual flight through these ("dangerous") 20 miles in the valley of Coyotes, there is no worry, since first of all, I feel fairly secure ensconced within the comfort of my Pilatus Turbo Porter...🙂..., and knowing that the worse that can happen is the Xbox App may just unexpectedly (and unceremoniously) close me out of MSFS and terminate my flight...🙂...

For endpoint of this flight, I've chosen the "Long Draw Reservoir", an extended body of water, just 2 miles further northeast of "La Poudre Pass Lake", the source of Colorado River. One thing happened, though, during my flight here...as I was proceeding towards my final destination, the "Long Draw Reservoir" situated at an elevation of 11,100 ft. I suddenly found myself boxed in by the high-rising Rockies mountains nearly on all sides (see my shot #s 7-9 below). Then I spotted the comforting sight of the Colorado River through my port side window (see my shot #s 10-11 and the cockpit view). I immediately knew this guy is coming from around where I'm going...🙂...and obviously already been following the path of lowest elevation and least resistance...and could help me better than my G1000 Garmin technology...(frankly, when you're already flying in a narrow valley of 11,000 ft elevation with surrounding mountains that are only a few thousand feet higher (such as ~14,000 ft here), using the Garmin MAP and its color codes of elevation, for situational awareness, becomes a bit tricky, at least, for this virtual aviator...🙂...).

True enough, the Colorado River guided me safely first to its source, the Lake, and then I easily found my way forward for another 2 miles to the Reservoir for a successful (but un-authorized...🙂...) landing...See my concluding pictures...as I now ponder how to get out of this place...

Nonetheless, it was a short but exciting discovery flight. I hope you enjoy this collection of images from the valley of Coyotes......!

Thanks for viewing...!

Edited April 8, 20242 yr by P_7878

Nice shots. I've always liked the PC-6's cockpit view with its unique panel and extended snout, and your #10 shot with sun and shadow really shows it off well.

Nice set of shots !

cheers 😉

Beautiful shots! 😉 

Folks: Many thanks for the comments and reactions...!! 

Nice shots P_7878. The PC-6 can do a lot in the bush and elsewhere.

On 4/12/2024 at 4:05 AM, andiflyit said:

Nice shots P_7878. The PC-6 can do a lot in the bush and elsewhere.

Appreciated the comment, Andreas. And agree, the PC-6, especially this Amphibian, is very versatile to get you into the nooks and crannies of nature...🙂...