Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Stair Steps Hike

South Fork plus Creede hikers ascended the Stair Steps this Tuesday. It was a little early, with snow on parts of the high trail, impeding safe ascent to the top. Four or five elk about 1,500 feet below us kept us entertained at lunch time.

Trail Conditions: The abundance of blowdown on both sides of Hermit Lake plus a few big ones blocking the the upward trail need attention.

Sunday 8 p.m. meet at picnic area (left road) at Big Meadows for a campfire, s'mores, etc. and a view of the nearly full moon. We will stroll down a logging road for an enchanted evening. Bring your honey.

Tuesday --several alternatives:
A) 7 a.m. at Visitor Center parking lot--or 7:45 at Hanson Mill--hike 7 miles into Wheeler Geological Area; visit and photograph the formations for a couple of hours; hike out 7 miles. People will move at their own speed and for their preferred distance; due to the length of the trip, we will not be waiting for each other. Stay with someone else in the formations, please.
B) Join the scenic walk from Hanson's Mill later on, without the mission of getting to the WGA; turn around when convenient.
C) 9 a.m. Nancy and her game ankle will select a less strenuous hike somewhere nice--meet Nancy and Dennis at the South Fork Visitor Center at the normal hour.

Suggested: Broken-in boots, an extra pair of socks, an extra bar or two, more than normal water, sunscreen, a poncho or raincoat (in A or B, we'll be out there if it rains--unless conditions warn us off.) Some suggest a good flashlight, as well.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Hope Creek Trail

Tuesday, June 23, 2009: up Hope Creek Trail almost 4 miles, we enjoyed a rich flower show and a beautiful, clear little creek rumbling just beneath the trail. Beautiful sunshine at lunch made for a comfortable nap for some.
Trail condition--many over-mature and dead spruce trees will fall on this trail over the next years. A couple of spots require some erosion repair. About ten places have fallen trees across the trail. Most of these are within the wilderness boundaries. Those outside the wilderness can be hand sawn or chopped easily. The big one pictured is in the wilderness.
Next week--June 30--we'll take a short but steep walk up the Stair Steps for glorious views of two bright green valleys and the above timberline vegetation that may be in glorious flower. Good photo opportunities here, if the day is clear, of big country and a beautiful little lake. Rugged shoes and a support stick will help you surmount the stairs--it's really worth the effort.
July 7--maybe two hikes!1. One tough hike into, about, and out of Wheeler Geological Area (weather permitting). This is for the fit and able who can walk up hill without complaint. We'll probably start this one at 7-7:30 a.m. to get back by supper time.2. Another easier hike can be arranged at a later start time.--Doug Knudson 873-5239

Blue Peaks Fishing Day

Pictures taken by Harolena.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

A few more Photos

Our Tuesday hike up along the South Fork of the Rio Grande started at Big Meadows Reservoir.Linda Treibly tested her metal ankle support. Welcome to Debbie Davidson. Welcome back to Tristan and Alexandra MacDonald.
Five of us went beyond lunch, going about 1.5 miles more,crossing Archuleta Creek and up the hill--a few more hours would have gotten us to Archuleta Lake and snow cover.
The flowers are numerous and will soon be magnificent. Strawberries in 3 weeks?
Future plans:•Next Tuesday, 9 a.m. we'll depart for Hope Creek trail, assuming favorable weather. Allow time in your schedule so we can get a little farther up that trail.
•On July 7, I hope to take some young guests with those of you up to it on a 15 mile plus round trip to Wheeler Geological Area. A chance to get some nice photos may await us. Keep your energy up and prepare with calisthentics so muscles are ready.We will follow the 7 mile trail in at a steady, sprightly pace, then walk to get several different views of the formations, then go back on the same trail.Those of you who prefer a 3-mile round trip may choose another destination or take a more leisurely walk on the trail to Wheeler, turning back when you wish.I think we may want to leave an hour or two earlier to allow getting back before supper.

Linda/Pat/Wayne

Tristan McDonald

Pause on the SFk

•Orchid Fairy Slipper Calypso bulbosa

S in South Fork

Red columbine, SR upper

Yarrow on he S. Fork

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Trail Clean Up on Pool Table

Sixteen people were treated to hamburgers for their work cleaning trails on Pool Table Friday. We cleaned the trash off of approximately 75 miles of trails.

George

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Hansons Mill

We started our hike at the Hansons Mill end of Trail #798 at an elevation of about 10,800 ft; we went up to the top of the ridge East of Hansons Mill, a distance of about .8 mile and an elevation gain of around 600 ft. (that's steep!). From there we hiked another 1.4 miles to the #610 road and down it about .5 mile to the trail marker for #798. Some folks decided that they needed to go back so they did.

We followed the trail down for about 3 miles and saw some interesting things, one of which was the West Alder Cr. flowing at a good rate and then suddenly not a drop of water! About 300 yards on down it reappeared with more flow than it had upstream! We also saw a lot of old beaver dams and a very tough trail to hike due to the loose rocks, narrow trail and boulders to dodge around.

All agreed that this trail should be rated "Difficult" end-to-end due to the poor footing, steepness and elevation change from 10,200 at the lower end to 11,400 at the top of the ridge overlooking Hansons Mill.

The mountain that looks like a pyramid is named just that "The Pyramid" and is a lonnnggg ways away......

Next week we will hike the Archuleta trail from Big Meadows reservoir, going up to a lunch spot and then returning. This will be a great hike due to the high volume of water coming down, should see a lot of waterfalls and cascades...........meet at the VCPL before 9AM and bring a lunch, water and a friend.

Dennis

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Penitente Canyon

The lucky 13 strolled and climbed through Penitente and Witches Canyons on abeautiful spring day. Strange rock formations, trees growing into the rocks, and the balmy weathermade it a special morning. The La Garita "Special" sandwich seemed to satisfy most appetites. They want more, so next Tuesday, we'll try to surmount the taller of the Twin Mountains. That's a relatively short but taxing climb through the forest, then a walkon lava--wear boots; bring stick. Leave the S.F. Visitor Center at 9 a.m.; pick up valley folks at the Tiger's Den (nee Tin Cup) in Del Norte. There's no restaurant on top, so bring lunch. Keep pets at home, please.

Doug



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