Tuesday, December 31, 2013

6 Mile Flats

9 snowshoers enjoyed the scenery and easy walking at 6 Mile Flats.  We stayed out of the Cross Country tracks carefully groomed by Creede folks (some of us will be there tomorrow with skis to celebrate the start of 2014).
 
We welcomed Tammy (Linda's engineer sister) who ignored any fears of snowy terrain and successfully adapted John's big-foot snowshoes to somewhere near her size.
 
As you can see, the landscape was enhanced with a crystal clear sky and framed by the looming La Garitas to the East.
 
Don't miss next Monday's snowshoe trek, somewhere beautiful.  Meet at the SF Visitor Center before 10 a.m. with snowshoes (maybe hiking boots), a snack, and good will.
Happy New Year to all.       Doug Knudson
 
9 walking easily--is this heaven?

 



Going Up suggestion vetoed here

 



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Really Rockies

 



From the Rio Grande on up--N edge of a huge crater

 



How's this for a snack bar?

 



Tammy from Texas enjoying the scenery

 

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

HOLIDAY RIDE THIS FRIDAY AT ELWOOD... FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, AT 9:30AM

See you at the Park Creek Parking Lot this FRIDAY, December 27, 2013, at 9:30AM. 

"IN GOD WE TRUST!" GOD BLESS AMERICA!
"Life without GOD is like an unsharpened pencil---it has no point."

Monday, December 23, 2013

Boulder field

Eight sun-loving snowshoers basked in the warmth of the Boulders area near South Fork.  Even though the temperature was around 25ยบ, we found it pleasant to follow animal tracks of several sorts, sit on a log for a snack, then walk on water at the Million Reservoir--hard water, it was!  As always, the boulders were beautiful, capped with snow, even tempting a try at climbing one (by Pat)--too slippery!
 
We'll try another destination next Monday. Meet at the S.F. Visitor Center at 9:50 a.m.  Bring warm clothes, good boots, and snowshoes.  A little lunch and sunglasses and water will help, too.
 
Merry Christmas to all.  If you're in S.Fork, we invite you to join us in a celebratory carol sing program at the Chapel of the South Fork at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.  You music lovers will enjoy the privilege of hearing the talented Chelsea Oden at the piano--home for Christmas from her music teaching in Colorado Springs.
 
--Doug Knudson   719-873-5239
 
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the BIG Boulders

 



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Pat's antics on the big rock don't seem to interest Wayne, our (sometimes) safety officer.

 



Where the 2002 forest fire started, blowing to the East.  Two hikers who lost their home in that fire were with us today.

 


The fire's effects are still visible on the steep hill above Million Pond.



The bend-over snowshoe removal maneuver.

 

Monday, December 16, 2013

A sunny trip to Big Meadows, on big feet

An even dozen took advantage of a cool but sunny Monday for several hours of easy snow-shoeing.  Two neophyte snowshoers (Barbara and Deb) adapted quickly and energetically.  The 3.5-mile hike with a nice stop for lunch under a couple of trees had several people adjusting their wardrobes as they walked from the long shadows of the road along the South Fork of the Rio Grande and then into the sun as we neared the Big Meadows reservoir.
 
Next Monday, we'll probably have some Christmas-time visitors.  We have several shorter alternatives in mind to accommodate their low-land breathing apparati.  Meet on Monday before 10 a.m. at the South Fork Visitor Center. 
 
Questions:  873-5239   Doug Knudson
 
 
The start!

 



Cliffs below the reservoir

 



The South Fork of the Rio Grande, some flowing at 9,500' after many days and nights of freezing temperatures

 



Continental Divide on top of these hills

 



Bridge over the South Fork as it leaves the Big Meadows Reservoir

 



Foot traffic only

 



The South Fork--rocks, water, ice, and snow


Seating in sun or shade, mostly on the snow

 



End of our trail; beginning of another creature's.

 

Monday, December 9, 2013

Beaver Creek

There was some talk in some homes this morning about "too cold" at 9ยบ below 0 with a brisk breeze.  Nevertheless, eight snowshoers came out and enjoyed the clear skies and bright sunshine (some said "too warm" for what I'm wearing").  We chose a route that protected us from the breeze and warmed us up.  After a couple hours of walking through the pines and spruce, enjoying Beaver Creek campground's scenery, our well-protected feet said "that's enough." 
 
We'll try to find another beautiful winter place next Monday.  All are welcome to join us--meet at the South Fork Visitor Center before 10:00 a.m.
Yes, it's likely to be cold, so dress adequately.  You'll go slowly enough to see some beautiful sights, such as these:
 
8 bundled up; the scarves were stowed about an hour later.

 



Cliffs along Beaver Creek

 



The creek was flowing, slightly.  Youth camp is above the other side

 






Blue shadows on white snow

 



fishing site, in the summer

 



Ponderosa pine in the campground

 

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Chuck Holton

 

Chuck is at home in South Fork and doing very well.

 

George Powell, president

Silverthread Outdoor Recreation Club

Silverthreaders Club

 

Monday, November 25, 2013

A beautiful late-Fall day in South Fork

After the big snows, eight of us enjoyed one of the most magical, beautiful days ever.  Three hours of snowshoeing on this gorgeous "dwarf forest" of Pinyons and Junipers, just North of the Alpine subdivision.  We packed down a lunchroom around a big pinyon.  Then we watched the splendor of the mountains all around us as we walked back down our recently-made trail. 
 
We are privileged to live in such a place.  Although most of us also ski, it's good to spend at least one day per week experiencing the beauty at a slower pace, making an effort to trudge uphill and well as down.  Rejoice! Thanks to you who shared this experience with us.
 
Next Monday meet at the SF Visitor Center before 10 a.m. for a snowshoe walk (assuming the snow stays with us), led by Wayne & Linda Moulds. 
(On that Monday, I'll be talking about our trees with the Chapel of the South Fork folks who don't go snowshoeing--after lunch at the church. I think I'll take an early morning snowshoe walk on my own just to get warmed up.)

In South Fork we are preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving with the generous efforts of the Kiwanis Club and its collaborators.  We hope all of you in Missouri, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, California, and other states will enjoy a rich day of giving thanks.  When you come here to ski, look us up at home or church and on the slopes.  You are welcome to join us on Monday mornings at 10.
--Doug Knudson

Lucky troopers before Agua Ramon Mtn.

 



Del Norte Peak--across the Rio

 



Piรฑon buddies on a hill

 



Juniper "cone" berries

 



Pinyon and RGNForest

 



Well-made resting place

 



Down a snowy lane

 

Monday, November 18, 2013

Walking on the palisades

Just shy of a dozen eased up to the tops of the lower palisades along the county line (Mineral/Rio Grande). We saw a mix of trees somehow growing on, in, and just above what appear to be solid rocks--three species of pine, one of juniper, aspen, and Douglas-fir (the "not-a-fir nor a hemlock" tree). Rocks displayed look-alike Easter Islander, robed priests, a squirrel, helmeted men/women, a scaly giant, and two human-sized climbers in jeans.
 
Beautiful place--often seen only at a distance. It's worth a walk (we did it at 2.7 miles)
 
Next hike or snowshoeing:  next Monday at 10 a.m.
 
Nearly a dozen.

 



Somehow anchored in--for decades

 



trees and rocks

 



See anything here?

 



Tim & Wayne top out

 



Cliff-top view

 



See those big scales?

 



Now this feature looks like …

 



looking back at where we were

 

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Snowshoeing on Halloween

We had a wonderful day for our first snowshoe outing of the season; Wolf Creek had received 38" inches so far this season and 7 inches in the last 2 days.  So we had some nice powder to walk in and a pretty good base beneath it so it looks like a good season for getting out and enjoying the snow..
 
We had two first-timers, Tim and Ashley, and it sounds like they will both be back for more fun on the snow.  I made the mistake of asking Tim to break trail back to the trucks and he laid a good track for him and Ashley but us older folks try to avoid the steeper slopes.  Oh well, its great to be around the younger generation..............and their higher energy level.
 
I will head for Kansas for about a month and then Florida next Saturday so I know you will be in the good hands of Wayne and Doug.  I will be back for sure in February and in January subject to the K-State Cats bowl placement.....
 
Happy hiking and smooth shoeing.............
 
Dennis