When the river is at a safe level, the cows and their calves cross into our high country pastures, where they will graze through the summer and into the autumn. The first regular snows arrive by the end of September (although it can and does snow in any month here). Elsewhere on the ranch, we are busy harvesting and putting up the hay crop. Steers move to the southern part of the ranch to fatten in the good grass. Young bulls may go off to the bull stud, while the older herd bulls will be turned out with the cows by July, to remain with them for the rest of the summer. By late September, the aspen leaves turn gold, the wildlife begin to change to their winter colors, the nights turn frosty and the days get shorter. The old cows start thinking it’s time to move.