Monday, December 7, 2015

Up and down Tewksberry

 
Tewksberry Trail seems safer in the snow. However, the lung power required is about the same.
 
The views from the big clearing showed us lots of terrain that we haven't hiked yet.  Grouse Mountain was close, but deserves a slow tour of the top next summer.
 
Nine of us made for good company with several rest stops (mostly on the ascent).
 
We got a report of a population decrease in Kansas of Odocoileus virginianus, which has caused a departure from that state of people who will soon be hiding out on hiking trails in Colorado.
 
Our next hikes may require some flexibility next week (assuming that forecasters are accurate).
Read your e-mail about hikes, as to the equipment necessary.
 
 
 
 
 

He left themat the bottom

 



Coming through the fence

 



Grouse Mountain

 



snack room for some

 



Back exercise

 



Marty's crew

 

Monday, November 30, 2015

Mon., Nov 30 hike (2015)

A nice group of 9 donned their snowshoes (successfully) and wandered through the boulder field. We had shin-deep snow, lots of sunshine and shade. (Unfortunately, I left my camera at home.)

Marilyn set a nice uphill pace, helping all to breathe deeply and to keep trudging.

Next Monday, meet at the Visitor Center before 10 a.m. departure. We'll go where there is good snow.

— Doug Knudson

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Snowshoe Reminder

Monday morning 10 a.m. at visitor center with your snowshoes, even if it's snowing.  This will be a chance for a short outing, getting used to your snowshoes on fairly flat terrain, with only a few ups and downs.
 
We should be back by noon ±.
Doug Knudson

Monday, November 23, 2015

Elephant rocks hike

Nine hikers enjoyed an almost balmy November day on one of the trail/roads of the elephant rocks area near Del Norte.  We climbed partway up one of the volcanic flow rocks for lunch, saw maybe 30 antelope about 1/2 mile ahead of us.  They got the message and slowly sauntered toward the north, away from us.
 
Beautiful day, clear and bright.  Easy walking. 
 
Next walk will be on Monday at 10 a.m.  Note the time change.  If snow returns, bring your snowshoes (or X-C skis) for fun close to home.  If the snowman   stays up north as predicted by some, bring boots and we'll enjoy our beautiful weather, whatever it is.  We wish Wayne and Linda well as they help reduce the overabundance of deer in Kansas next week.
 
Judy and I are back from nearly 4 weeks in Recife, Brazil, and other nearby destinations with our daughter. We're rigging up a 10-minute picture show for you to see some spectacular scenery, modern buildings,   and others dating back to the 1600s,  plus nice flowers and beach scenes.  Our open-door policy lets you stop in at any time.
 
9 started up; all made it!

 



Icing on the rocks

 



We needed Marilyn to name this one.

 



Looks like we went to the animal fair!

 



Lower left_a few  pronghorns (antelope)--little white dots in a big gentle valley.

 



big rock

 



interesting shapes

 



C'mon up for lunch

 



Sangres 40 miles away

 



One of the famous chains of lava flow that some folks liken to a herd of elephants.  A non-lava mountain peeks over from the other side of the San Luis Valley.

 

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Hike on Monday

Wayne will lead a hike to the Elephant rock area Monday morning. Meet at the visitor center a 9 AM.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Trash pickup for South Fork

We will be picking up trash thru town on Wednesday, 10-28-2015.  Meet at the Visitor’s Center at 10:00 am.  Hopefully we will have sunshine!  Thanks, Elizabeth

ATV Ride Tuesday 10/27/15

We will have an ATV club ride, Tuesday, as it is a non-hunting day.  Meet at the Visitor’s Center and plan to leave at 9:00 am.  If it is raining at that time, the ride will be canceled.  Hope to see you there.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Monday’s Hike

Hikers.

This week there is a break in the hunting season, so Wayne has decided to lead a hike to middle Frisco creek.

Meet at the Visitor center at 9 AM on Monday (10/26)

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Monday, October 12, 2015

Tuesday Pot Luck & ATV Ride

The club is hosting the Community Pot Luck, Tuesday, Oct. 13th.  We plan to set up tables, etc at 5:00 pm at the Community Building.  Pot Luck will be at 6;30 PM.  Hope you can join us.

The club will not have scheduled ATV rides this week, since it is a Hunting week.

Elizabeth

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Monday and Wednesday

The Moulds have informed me of the death of Linda's 100 year old mother. They are headed for Kansas.
That leaves us leaderless unless Dennis shows up. I am trying to meet several deadlines before heading out toward Brasil.

We realize as well that big hunting season is opening, so it may be a good time to leave the woods to the
hunters for a while.

Many of you can lead the way up a trail. If you wish to do so, I'll be at the Visitor Center at 9 a.m. to get you started.

Doug Knudson

Thursday, October 8, 2015

ATV Ride Friday, 10-9-2015

The club ATV ride for Friday will be Shorty Springs up the Center Stock Drive and loop around.   This will be a work ride.  Leave the Visitor’s Center at 9:00 am.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

It was one of those special days!

A day worth living. Light worth recording. A time worth hiking in our National Park at the Dunes.  Sorry we failed to attract more of you.  I think I'll be preparing for a trip to the Brazilian ocean next Wednesday. (We depart on Thursday.) So, I'll be back in mid November, hoping for snow and its big shoes.  Thanks for joining me this spring, summer and fall. 
—Doug Knudson
 
Sand, water, mountains of rocks, colorful vegetation. Serenity, ripples, mountains. Changing light; easy walking.

 



Medano Creek and colorful vegetation


Brushstrokes on the water (Medano Cr.)

 



Vegetation on Dunes

 



Diversity

 



Pat among the colors

 



Life and death

 




 



Windswept

 



Clouds to the north

 



Sand to the South

 



Pine doubles up

 

Friday, October 2, 2015

ATV pics for 10-2-15

(10-2-15) Eleven of us set up poles at Alder Creek for the upcoming snowmobile season. 

Lunch with hamburgers and all the trimmings was wonderful.



 

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

13 Platoro "Hike" Photos

One of the most scenic areas in Colorado lived up to its reputation on this Sept. 30.  Eight of us enjoyed the great colors and the rivers and reservoirs and pond.  We walked three times--a total of about 1/4 of a mile.  We make this trip every year; this day was one of the best of the 14 trips I've made.    And, the food folks fed us well at the Lodge where I thought things would be closed.  It will be, but only late tomorrow afternoon. 
You probably got Dennis' note today that he won't be available for any more hikes this Fall.  He expects to be back next fall.  So—our next hikes will be Monday and  Wednesday.
We will look for you then at 9 a.m. at the Visitor Center in South Fork. 
Question about Wednesday:  Would you like to cross the SLValley for a hike in or near the Great Sand Dunes? That might mean an 8 a.m. start, due to the distance.  Please respond if that is a good idea for you.  —Doug Knudson    873-5239  or douglasfir636@gmail.com
 
Sunrise

 



DSC01574

 



Tiers of Aspen

 



DSC01585

 



Stunner E

 



Short hike 

 



DSC01601

 



Lily Pond

 



Lily pond

 



All aspen aren't yellow

 



Sunshine in Aspen

 



Red Mtns

 



There's Stunner!