Tuesday, October 26, 2010

A search for ancient art

A big bird is on one of those walls. "You'll walk right to it; you can't miss it," said the neighbor who checked on us. Nice encouragement--but we weren't able to pick out the pictograph or petroglyph. Marilyn, Susan and I enjoyed climbing through the rocks and prickly bushes to search the places where ancients scratched their images.

It was a chilly day, with scattered snow on the ground from Monday's Autumn first snow-fall. A cool breeze called for hats, scarves, gloves, and jackets. Thanks to these two ladies for their good natures, eager searching, and obvious enjoyment of the interesting venture.

Fall is here, so shift your planning to warm clothes and come with us next Tuesday. We'll hike 4-5 miles, weather permitting. Meet at the
South Fork Interpretive Center in the center of town. We'll leave there at 9 a.m.
--Doug Knudson 873-5239

Road to Dog Mtn.

Dog Mtn natural rock art--it teased us from afar, but seems to be drawn by water and lichens.

big nesting holes (eagles?)

Cliffs on lower Dog Mtn.

Long face on Dog Mtn.

Picnic shelter Dog Mtn.  Susan almost fits.
Thanks to the landowner who permitted us to park on her land.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

6 undercover Photos

Five of us are keeping quiet about where we went today. One hiker said it may be South Fork's best kept secret. It requires permission.
It's lovely, somewhat wild, somewhat tame, short, and very sweet. We did a little car tour afterward. As you can see, the color season did not come to an end yet. Visit the narrow-leaf cottonwoods this week. They rival the yellows and golds of the aspen.

We bid Wanda bye-bye for this fall. We enjoyed seeing her beautiful embroidery and quilt work that will go to her grandchildren soon.

Next Tuesday, 9 a.m., you are welcome to join us on another hike. Meet in the Visitor Center parking lot with boots, orange clothing,
and a bit to eat.

--Doug Knudson 873-5239

Susan,Wanda,Nancy,Barry Bear Cr.

S fr. the Trail

•Bridge on the Creek

Rest stop

Looking S

•There's gold on the R Grande.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

N of Beaver Cr. Reservoir hike

Ten hikers saw many shades of green and gold and pink in the aspen at "the Farm" and beyond, then down Tewksberry Trail. The rain held off until we got home. The vales and glades and long slopes through clearings made this a beautiful, pleasant, brief hike.

Next week, someone will lead somewhere beautiful. We discussed Miner's Creek, near Creede, but the rains may fell most of the leaves.
Come to the Visitor Center in South Fork before 9 a.m. on Tuesday (unless there is an e-mail changing it).

I'll be coming back from an Old Spanish Trail Association Board Meeting, hoping that you have another good Tuesday.
--Doug Knudson

•Fall in Beaver Resvr.

Shack on "the Beaver farm"

•from farm-yard

•Fall near South Fork

Down Tewksberry

Distant hill fr. Tewksberry

Monday, October 4, 2010

Stunner-Platoro autumn scenery--

We are privileged to live in a beautiful place. Perhaps it is never more beautiful than in late September and early October.

Two Fridays ago, Judy and I went there, just 25-30 miles south of South Fork. This past Friday, Rik and Kathy Smith from South Carolina went along. We were all impressed. For you who did not get there this year, these seven pictures give you some idea of what surrounded us on all sides for about 10 miles of driving and walking. I've only been here for ten years, but I rate this year's as the most spectacular leaf show I've seen here, in New Hampshire/Vermont, or in Indiana. Something about being surrounded by diverse bright colors lifts and thrills intensely.

It was certainly Plata and Oro and Stunning!

Lookout Mtn

•Aspen & spruce

•Riot on slope of Lookout Mtn.

multi-color  Platoro

Golden cascade Stunner slope

•Red/Gold aspen Stunner

5 shades of aspen Platoro