Monday, March 26, 2012

Penitente

 
Last hike in March led us to Penitente, the Perennial.  Climbers clamber. Hikers hie. Trees and rocks form a fascinating maze.
 
NEXT--The first "hike" in April will be on the second day of the month.  WE WILL LEAVE EARLY--8:00 a.m.  Visitor Center Parking Lot.
This will be a cultural trip, along with some spectacular scenery and short walks up the Sangre de Cristos.
Finally, we're going to Crestone. The early start will allow us to drive 1.5 hours or so each way, take in the town, and hike up a ways into the Rio Grande National Forest from the edge of town.
 
I'll organize a car tour of the town and the neighboring "Baca" for orientation and maybe a few stops, if the town mothers and fathers will guide me a bit.
(Friends and partners who avoid inclined pedestrian activity are welcome to use our hour or two of hiking time for investigation of human phenomena on the flat of this old mining town. They may discover some surprises.)
 
A request has been made and accepted to allow time for a purchased lunch. Of course, you can bring your own instead, but you may prefer to help the local economy.
 
Plan to be back in South Fork by 5:30-6:00 p.m., unless you choose to stay longer.
--Doug Knudson   873-5239 for questions
Walking is what we do!




Linda M., Mayebelle,shy Connie, Linda C., Pat, Marilyn, Wayne, Bonnie, Bob


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ogre of Penitente



Tough life for a Ponderosa



Wagon ruts  Penitente


Linda and the keyhole

 



Going ...

 




… up!

Monday, March 5, 2012

Hike toward Shallow Creek

 
Fourteen or fifteen hikers stepped into their snowshoes this morning and than stepped out on a short stroll to near the entry of Shallow Creek, near Creede.  Warm sunshine is gradually evaporating the snow cover out in the open.  More moisture is needed for a safe summer.
 
Welcome to the Kirks and the Pattersons. We were glad to see--back in action--Sally, Harolena, and Linda Cross.
It was nice to meet Mr. Richardson, Katie's dad, visiting from Albuquerque, as he greeted us at the Visitor Center.  We tried to persuade him to join us.
 
NEXT WEEK--another venture into someplace with deep (sort of) snow.  Meet Monday at the South Fork Visitor Center before 10 a.m. with snowshoes in hand, and maybe hiking boots, too, depending on the weather.
 
The week after that, neither Wayne or I will be available--unless Wayne tells you differently next Monday.  Someone can volunteer to lead.
 
Note:  I'm drawing up a list of destinations for the tough/toughening hikers for the spring and summer. Your suggestions are welcome
The theme of several hikes will be to follow segments of the fatal route followed by John C. Frémont in 1848-9 into the mountains via Alder Creek, over Pool Table Mtn to Wannamaker Cr, then retreat via Rincon and Embargo Creek. 
A new book is available in the Visitor Center about the whole trip. Written by one of our neighbors, Stuart Bryan, it contains detailed maps, drawings, and photographs of the sometimes elusive campsites.  It contains the almost daily notes of two distinguished men of the party enhanced by Stu Bryan's explanation of them, some of his clarifications and esoteric asides. Stu worked on this for 22 years, four of those writing and compiling.
This trip was in December-January. About 120 mules died in the deep snow up at 12,000 feet. All of the men made it almost back down to the Rio Grande, but 10 of them expired before getting to the nearest town--Questa/Taos, NM. Kit Carson and other Taoseños fed and nursed the survivors back to health. Frémont (called "The Great Pathfinder") somehow recovered his reputation and became Senator from California, Governor of Arizona Territory, and the first Republican candidate for the U.S. Presidency in 1856.
He ran a good race but didn't quite beat out a fellow named Buchanan, considered by some (until recently) as one of our least effective Presidents. Frémont's loss paved the way for the 1860 candidacy of a fellow named Lincoln, whose fame has endured longer than  Frémont's, despite the latter being one of the most famous Americans of his time.
 
 
 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



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Frank and Mr. Kirk

 



 

 

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Winter Pictures

                 Bristol Head from Hanson’s Mill

                                Poole Table Road

               Grooming Early Friday Morning and Snowing

 

George Powell, president

Silverthreaders Club

Silverthread Outdoor Recreation Club

PO Box 343

South Fork, CO. 81154-0343

H 719-873-5902

C 719-850-0080

Email ghp0181@gmail.com