Steve and Dave went up the Ranger trail, from the cottage to the crossroads, same trip as two years ago and some of the same conversations. Sun is having layoffs again, rumored to happen Thu Jul 10 (and indeed it is happening as I write this today, Thursday).
The ascent was longer than we remembered, with more switchbacks, in somewhat warm weather. Fortunately a cloud hung across the sun, providing some shade. From the valley below the crossroads we observed trees moving on the ridgeline, forecasting a promising breeze at the top. Sure enough, a cool breeze greeted us as we arrived at the crossroads with the Green Mountain West Ridge trail, where we stopped for a drink and to announce the day's DOW.
En descente, we noted several deer bouncing around.
Dinner at Pasta Jay's followed the hike. The Pearl Street Mall was fairly crowded, as usual for a pleasant summer evening in Boulder. Pasta Jay's had a kid's night special, and the restaurant had run out of the lasagna special. Bummer. Dave had rigatoni and Steve had jumbo shells instead. Then we attempted the Trident Cafe, but it was also crowded so we blew off the phase iii coffee.
