Thursday, August 28, 2014

Hike 8-28-14

We went up FSR350 for a few miles and unloaded just below the Willow Cr. low water crossing.  We hiked up the first slope and into Sawmill park to the old log structure.  We hiked across the park to the East and made our way up the slope to the summit in time for lunch.  We followed an old logging road for about 2/3 of the way, losing it a couple of times and then locating it again.  We gained about 1000 ft.in elevation over about a 2 mile hike.  Denise found a very old 7UP bottle in the timber.

After lunch we followed the drift fence South until we came upon the newer logging road and came down this road to the SE corner of the park.  Lots of logging going on and the newer road has been cleared and is in better shape than the FSR350 we came in on...............

We picked up several "treasures", also some trash in our travel today.  The highlight of the hike was coming upon the Mama & Baby Moose in the old beaver pond.  Typically the Mama stood between us and her calf and wasn't a bit disturbed by our intrusion into their lunch.  After a few minutes the calf moved off and Mama followed it.

Come to the VC Monday at 9AM to enjoy a hike with Wayne & Linda...........

 

Dennis

 

Friday, August 22, 2014

Fox mtn hike 8-21-14

We took the "old route" in to Fox mtn, the road was in good shape and took us within about .5 miles of the mtn. It was the first time in over 15 years we went in that way.  We found our way through a series of meadows to make it to the top (about 4 miles) for lunch.  We saw a cow elk grazing pretty close in front of us until she saw us and then away she went.

After lunch we took a "scenic route" back to the car, about 9.6 miles, found a baby snowshoe hare and its mama, found a nice natural lake on top of the ridge not far from a large rock outcropping that was all new to us...............

Learned that my GPS wasn't updating the info as it should, which caused some misdirection for a while.  Barry was using his GPS and between the two of us we were able to plot a route back to the car.

We were all glad to see the car.

We did find some chanterelles while we were walking and quite a few shaggy manes along the road for a good mess.

Dennis

 

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Bennett Peak Hike

Five of us rode to the base of the gentle mountain called Bennett Peak, then walked but 2.3 miles to the top.

 



Flowers are still abundant above timberline.  This is the most dramatic--possibly frosty ball or alpine thistle.

 



Close-up of above.

 



Part-way to the top--it's closer than you think but good for puffing exercise for longer than some prefer.

 



The decline of the alpine sunflower in its waning days.

 



Alpine paintbrush is still thriving.

 



Near the top, we observed a drop

 



a variation on the alpine paintbrush

 



The "trail"  down is overused by motorized vehicles. Even they are beginning "informal" new trails.  Not a good place
for sustainable use by motorized do-dads.

 



One bad ATV road isn't enough for these guys.  It seems that some administrative action would be appropriate.  And we hikers don't mean asphalt.

 

Future-- Thursday hike with Dennis.  Any chance it will be a mushroom hunt?
Next Tuesday--a not-so-tough hike (about 5 miles or so)
Thinking ahead--several have indicated an urge to visit Wheeler Geological Area--some with ATV's to the location (14 miles); others prefer hiking, maybe even backpacking for an overnight.  Probably late August or early September.    Your opinions are welcome 873-5239.
   --Doug Knudson

Embargo Creel Trail

 Wayne led 21 of us the Embargo Cr. trail, hundreds of mushrooms lined the trail and many more were in the timber.  So many varieties that it boggles the mind to try to keep track of them.  There are 7 varieties that we are sure of to be edible in this area.  All others are presumed not to be edible due to not being able to document their properties.  We found Aspen boletes, oyster and puffball mushrooms that we are sure of.  I spotted a puffball the size of a volleyball on the way out of Cathedral CG, tremendous amount of good eating ahead........

 

Doug is leading a hike up to the top of Bennett Pk. tomorrow, weather permitting.  If the weather is good on Thursday we will attempt to get to the top of Fox Mtn again.......

 

Dennis

 

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Tuesday ATV Ride

There will be an ATV ride on Tuesday, Aug. 19. No decision has been made about where to ride at this time. Meet at the visitor center at 9 AM.

 

 

George Powell, president

Silverthreaders Club

Silverthread Outdoor Recreation Club

 

Friday, August 15, 2014

Silverthreaders August Club Meeting

The Tuesday, August 19, club meeting of the Silverthreaders Club will be at Dwayne and Edna Powers home at 0183 Fir Dr.. This is in South Fork in the Ponderosa Addition. It will be a pot luck meal at 6:30 PM. Bring your own chairs, it will be outside. Hope to see you there.

 

 

George Powell, president

Silverthreaders Club

Silverthread Outdoor Recreation Club

 

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Fox mtn hike and more 8-14-14

We started out for Fox mtn and mushrooms (PLAN A), started to sprinkle on us when we reached Park Cr. road, kept sprinkling until we reached the end of Fox mtn road.  We put on our raingear (usually we don't do this) and started out looking for the mushrooms.  Still sprinkling.  Searched places we have found chanterelles in past years and no mushrooms.  Still sprinkling.  We another 1/4 mile and no sign of mushrooms. Still sprinkling, clouds down on the ground.

Consulted with the group, decided on PLAN B;  go eat hamburgers & fries at Platoro.  PLAN B implemented with savory results, saw mule deer, grouse, more mule deer and marmots (no mushrooms) and made a loop so that new territory could be seen by the group.  Made a side trip to Lily Pond, saw why it is called that. Went past Jasper and saw several new cabins built in the last few years.

Went over Blowout Pass, past Fuchs reservoir, the chickenfoot and headed for home. A bit over 100 miles, lots of bumps in a 3/4 ton truck with stiff suspension; no complaints though, it must have been better than walking...........

I may try Fox again next week, I think Poage is probably hunted out by now, as popular as it has become.  Marty may try it tomorrow and I will check with him.

Dennis