Friday, December 21, 2012

Groomed

Blow Out is groomed and there is a unique sight on it. I have attached two pictures showing the steam coming out of the snow.

 

 

 

George Powell, president

 

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Snowshoe walk #1

On Monday morning, four of us walked through about 8-10" of snow, not far from Barbara's house. As you can see, it wasn't difficult. It was beautiful, sunny, brisk, and something of a workout of 2.2 miles.  We were out for less than two hours.  Barb and Lloyd refreshed us at their lovely perch on the rocks.
 
With the recent and the coming snows, we will probably "glide across the white stuff" every Monday. We can start at the South Fork Visitor Center at 9 a.m. (for a couple more weeks--then start at 10 after Christmas).
 
We hope to see a good number of visitors for the next three or four Mondays.  Bring your guests.  Wear warm foot coverings.  A snack, some water, and a camera are all worth having. 
 
You will find that perspiration can occur even at 0º F, so layers work well.
 
I think you can rent snowshoes and poles in three places in South Fork.  I have a little pair for a trim, fine-footed person.
--Doug Knudson    719-873-5239
 
 
 
Trying thing out.

 



Always nice country--this one headed for the Youth Camp

 



For some reason, people walk in a line.

 



Beaver Creek

 

Monday, December 10, 2012

Sand Dunes

A beautifully revealing day of interesting patterns in the sky and on the sand--and a nice energetic hike. Seven drove in two cars to the Great Sand Dunes National Park (minus a few we expected). The sun was out; the temperature rose; the snow was all of 1.5 inches deep. The road we walked parallels Médano Creek. (The 10 miles to the top of Médano Pass might be a summer target for us, with a tent campout in the area.--something to think about up there near the altitude of Mt. Herard.)
 
Thanks to Bob and Bonnie, Wayne and Linda, Pat, and Blanche for realizing that -10° doesn't last all morning and that exercise warms one. I appreciate their positive attitudes and ability to enjoy the outdoors.  I think that all seven of us were rewarded with what we saw and the new places we visited.
 
Next Monday we may be able to try a little snowshoeing. If the snow doesn't get deeper, we'll do another interesting hike.
Still--9 a.m. at the S.F. Visitor Center.  --Doug Knudson   873-5239 or contact the Moulds.
 
Patterns at GRSA

 



Mt. Herard

 



Linda, Pat, Blanche, Wayne, Bob, Bonnie, GRSA

 



Snow patterns in GRSA

 



Medano Cr. E side Dunes

 



N from Médano Cr, GRSA

 



E side of Dunes Médano Cr. Rd.

 

Monday, December 3, 2012

Baxter hike

 
Around Baxter Mountain we went, starting high above South Fork and swinging clockwise to Alder Creek Guard Station.
Bonnie, Connie, Marty, and Ozzie; Wayne, Eve, Blanche, and Doug thank Bob M for transporting to close the gap.
 
Next week we'll try what we thought we might do this week--a trip to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. We'll check the conditions for our options--one nomination is to traipse through the sand and maybe snow.  Another is to follow one of the several hard rock trails. A third is to get a little of both.
 
This trip will require a long drive, so we may not be back until 5 or 6 p.m.
Looking back on a nice hike

 



STS = steep trail segment

 



Where did the trail go?

 



Our biggest trail marker

 



 Bonnie the hiker sat on the trail

 



Lunch room in the saddle