Thursday, July 31, 2008

Del Norte Peak

A trio went to our gentle alpine peak. Old flowers, new flowers, beautiful scenery. From 15-80 years old, we enjoyed the big views and warm weather. So did the flies, bees, and a colorful big wasp. A 12-point bull bounded away through the trees. A young blue grouse patiently posed and waited until we passed her spruce.

Next Tuesday, could we go to Phoenix Park to check out the waterfall? I'll meet you in front of the Creede Theatre if you want to join grandson Eric K., Ellen Moore, and their grandpas. How about 8:40 or 9:00 a.m. unless weather turns bad? I'll talk with Wayne about leading and try to reach our Creede contingent.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Cinnamon/Stony Passes

ATV ride Lost Trail Creek to Carson, Cinnamon Pass, Animas Forks, Howardsville, Stony Pass, and to the vehicles.

A wonderful day for a ride. We had some clouds, but mostly sunshine and a lot of fun. It was a great 65 mile ride. American Basin was spectacular. The flowers were beautiful. The flowers on top of Stony Pass were beautiful also. It was a long day, but I think every one enjoyed it. Thanks to all the ones that came along and joined the fun. I won't be available next week, but I will let you know what will take place. George.

Hike on Continental Divide Trail, Elwood Pass to Bonito Pass

Two days of rain left water on top of the Continental Divide.
Irish greens teased the eyes.
Mountains and deep valleys stirred excitement in our souls.
Another flower show stirred our color sensors.
The narrow trail vanished for 6 of our 11, twisting their sense of direction.
John and Bill bailed them out.

On Thursday we hope for strong hikers only, so we can descend to Crater Lake and get out with alacrity. 8 a.m. departure from Rickel Park in South Fork.
--Doug Knudson

•Nina Smartt framed

Lichens

•Colo. Columbines--Queen of the Columbines on the King of the Trails. Aquilegia caerulea

•Colo Tansy-aster? Machaeranthera coloradoensis

•3 CDT striders

Daniel Mills in the hole in the rock

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Bonito to Silver

Pass to Pass--Bonito to Silver

The King of the Trails holds its distinction with green greens, golden, blue, purple blooms, rugged mountains, deep valleys, narrow ridges, straight firs and spruces.

We'll take the CDT southward next Tuesday, Bonito to Elwood, weather permitting. Don't miss this splendid but gentle monarch. 8 a.m., Rickel Park in SF.

Life is good in this mountain fastness.
--Doug Knudson

Dale,Dawn,Daniel,Marilyn, Wayne, Pat, Bill @ Bonito Pass

Six on Silver Peak

The wild So. San Juans

King of the Trails, SSJuan

Alpine sunflower CDT

Snow on 7-24-08 CDT with Mr. Podoll, backpacker Cumbres Pass to Silverton

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Trails 382, 384, 374

A wonderful ride with wonderful people. We rode 382 towards Camp Molino had lunch and came back on 384 to Park Creek Road. Decided against going up on top, because of lightning. We then took 374 around by Swale Lake. We found lots of trees down on 382, but we cleared those. Next week is a long ride.


We will go up Lost Trail Creek to Carson, over Cinnamon Pass to Animas Forks, down to Howardsville, and back over Stony Pass to the vehicles. We will unload at Ute Creek Trail Head at the head of the Rio Grande Reservoir. It is about 65 miles. We will leave the visitor center at 8 AM. If any one is not planning on going on this ride, I would appreciate them leading a ride at 9 AM some where else. Let me know if you will. George.

Stairstep

Once again, into the clouds we ventured, to 12,480'. Twenty hikers from 15 to over 75 years of experience, Took the Stair Steps up through alpine gardens. We gazed upon far horizons, studded with 14,000' peaks. We descended to blue waters of Hunters Lake.


Welcome to Butlers (AZ), Moores, and some renewals. Congrats to Jane on retiring and rehiring for new career. Thanks to Jon Romine for trailfinding and flower ID. Thursday, some will leave the SF Park for Divide walking. 8 a.m. departure. Bring cameras for 2008's great flower show, boots for loose rocks, lunch for locomotion, poncho, eyes and hearts for the King of the Trails: the CDT.

--Doug Knudson


Trail through garden, Stairsteps. This awed four grown men.


Daniel on top stair, in the clouds. Hi, Grandma, Mom, and sweetie!


Thistle & columbine, Stairsteps


Hikers' view NE from Stairsteps


Is this a friendly garden gnome @12,000'?


Paintbrush–hot pink or magenta?


The blue of Hunters Lake



Stairsteps second set of Photos






Pica (cony) near Hunter's L.