Friday, August 30, 2013

Another Fourteener Bites The Dust

Hikers--here are the rewards of tough-hike conditioning.  Bob's pictures, clear and well composed, testify to the big thrills and glorious perspectives of above-timberline hiking.  It's a pity to deny yourself the experience; it's worth it to prepare physically and eat with discipline.
 
San Luis Peak is the 14er closest to South Fork and Creede.  There are 53 others in the state.  Because I had a meeting in Santa Fe on this day, I'm thinking of a high climb or two in early September.  If you want to join me and feel ready, let me know.  We live in a magnificent part of the world.  It's worth the effort to immerse ourselves in it.
--Doug Knudson
First, we took the shortcut that goes straight up.
The sun began to arise to our back.
This place has an interesting name, Bondholder Meadow.  Dead spruce everywhere.
It is a hardy flower that grows at this altitude.  These were right along the trail about 13,000 feet up.
Last to summit, I caught this group on top.  I think that they were ready to go down.  And the mountain is 14,014 feet in altitude; I checked.
Wayne and Ebony have that mountain look going down.
Jim, Ashley and George appear satisfied with their accomplishment.
Then George took this photo proving that I also made it.
I love the views.  That is Uncompahgre and Wetterhorn in the left distance, two more fourteeners.
 
The return trip; lots of up and down.  Bonnie (I hope I spelled her name correctly) needed field maintenance.  George applied his shoe skills while Linda and I looked on.
We need only about a mile back to the vehicles for a total of about 11 miles total.  Wayne and Ashley waited on us to make sure we turned correctly.
On the way up, the rising sun gave a star performance with San Luis waiting on the left.
The final slope has these marvelous rock cairns that someone(s) has constructed.  They reminded me of spruce cones, obviously artfully done with care.  I am looking down, the summit is behind me requiring a lot more heavy breathing.
The weather cooperated.  No rain until I got back home.
Bob.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Fox mtn hike

We had a nice hike over to the top of Fox mountain, finding lots of chanterelles and some king Boletes on the way.  After lunch we started back to the truck looking for more mushrooms; it clouded up and started raining.  A couple of folks got separated from us but after a few minutes of shouting back and forth we located them. By that time we were down in the dark timber and without any landmarks or the sun to guide us, we had to rely on my GPS to get us headed back in the right direction for the truck.  But in the process we found some huge King Boletes!  So I guess we were supposed to wander around a little after all.  A little excitement is good once in a while.......
 
The views from the top of Fox are really nice, however, the smoke from the fires out West limited the views today....
 
I hear that Wayne is leading the group to the top of Del Norte peak Monday so come on out and join us, meeting at the VCPL at 9AM and bring your lunch, water, raingear and a couple of friends..........
 
Dennis

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Bonanza ATV Ride

We left early in the morning, drove 85 miles to Bonanza and rode 40 miles and saw a lot of interesting buildings, and drove 85 miles home. It was an interesting day, but enjoyable.

 

 

An old mine structure

 

 

The group

 

 

Old cabin

 

 

A view from above

 

 

A perfect place for lunch

 

 

A fixer upper

 

 

 

Part of a mine camp

 

 

George Powell, president

Silverthreaders Club

Silverthread Outdoor Recreation Club

Email President@Silverthreaders.org

 

 

Friday ATV Ride

There will be an ATV ride on Friday, Aug. 30, meet at the visitor center at 9 AM and the ride will be on West Frisco and Bennett.

 

George Powell, president

Silverthreaders Club

Silverthread Outdoor Recreation Club

Email President@silverthreaders.org

 

Monday, August 26, 2013

Tewksberry hike

Wayne led us up the WET Tewksberry trail for 2 1/2 miles to the Chute where we had our lunch.  So many flowers and fungi like never seen before at this time of year and all because of the bountiful rainfall we have received!!
 
What a pleasure to enjoy the great outdoors with a great bunch of folks to enjoy it with.  We welcomed a couple of new folks, Connie and Tony from Kansas, they did very well for the first time out with us, hope to see them again soon.....
 
Wayne is leading the group tomorrow to the top of San Luis peak, the first 14'er of the year for the group.  We need to leave South Fork at 5 AM to make the trek and hopefully avoid the rain and lightning..............
 
We WILL hike to the top of Fox mtn on Thursday, if we happen to trip over some mushrooms we will collect them....meet at the VCPL at 9 AM, bring your lunch, water, raingear and a friend....
 
Dennis

Friday, August 23, 2013

Tuesday ATV Ride

There will be an ATV Ride Tuesday, Aug. 27 to the Bonanza Area. Meet at the visitor center at 7 AM.

 

George Powell, president

Silverthreaders Club

Silverthread Outdoor Recreation Club

Email President@Silverthreaders.org

 

 

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Hike around Poage Lake

We found lots of King Boletes today, 3 weeks ago we found only a few in this same area.  The chanterelles are fantastic this year, more large patches than ever before.
 
The original plan was to hike to Fox mountain, but we changed our plans when we learned the King Boletes were up in this area; we can go to Fox anytime but the mushrooms won't wait.....................
 
We will plan on Fox mtn. next week unless some more mushrooms pop up (some folks are up to there eyeballs in mushrooms) and depending on the weather.
 
Meet at the VCPL at 9AM, bring your lunch, water, raingear and some friends...............
 
Dennis