Silver pass to Bonito pass hike

We started out at Silver Pass at 10500 ft. and had lunch on top at an elevation of 11600 ft. over a distance of about 2 miles.  The trail is in good shape with only a few trees down on the trail.

 

As always, the views were magnificent, very little smoke from the Windy Pass fire and none from the West Fork fire (YEA!). As you can see the wildflowers are out in full force for our pleasure..............

 

I didn't see the bull elk but everybody else did, he was in velvet.  On the way to the Silver Pass we saw a doe with a TINY fawn, couldn't have been very old.

 

Wayne will be leading a hike Monday for your enjoyment, meet at the VCPL at 9AM, bring lunch water and raingear........

 

Dennis

Tough hike photos on Tuesday

Seven started; five later stood on the top of a nearby Mountain.  We tried to find the "dream" route described by Pat and Dennis but didn't find those easy routes after the first half of the climb.  Thanks to determination and perseverance of three relatively new hikers, we saw the distant but distinct effects of spruce bark beetles and wildfire.

 

We live in a special place, with great diversity and beauty, even in this dry mountain environment.  Thanks to the firefighters and the cooperative neighbors, we can continue to find and enjoy many special wonders, big and small.

 

Next Tuesday, those who can be tough hikers will head up the high but fairly "level" (still up and down and mostly without a clear single trail) at Hogback Mesa.  This will help us condition our lungs and legs for an August climb of a 14er or two. Please participate if you hope to top out on one of Colorado's high peaks.  They require preparation and conditioning on tough hikes.

 

Dennis plans to lead a hike on Thursday; then a fairly easy one on Monday with Wayne.

--Doug Knudson  873-5239

 

Below the Mtn. Wayne, Molly, David, & Mike

 

Three newcomers who made the top.

 

View W of the burn was on far hill top

 

Decorative tree

 

some of 2013 fire W

 

dead spruce  RGNF

 

Remains of old age? 

 

Molly's memorable little creek at the end.

 

Hike to the top of Cathedral rock.

We hiked to the top of Cathedral rock, which is about 3 miles and 900 ft. elevation gain from Cathedral CG.  This trail is one of the tougher trails due to the steepness of parts of the trail and the final 100 yards to the top is a "scramble" due to recent rock slides. The beetle kill in this canyon is about 75%.

 

Cathedral Cr. had more water coming down it than I have seen in several years, Pool Table must have a gotten a lot snow this past season, which is great!  There were several varieties of wildflowers that weren't in my book, if you can identify them please let me know and I will send out the info..........

 

Wayne will be leading a hike Monday so come to the VCPL at 9AM for another enjoyable time of exercise and fellowship.  Bring a lunch, water, raingear and several friends.

 

Dennis

Up a creek and steep hills

Tuesday's hike drew four of us who walked up steep  trails to get near to Fremont's Christmas Camp on trail 885.  Since most of us had been to the camp and time was fleeting, we declared an about face at a creek crossing, right under the hill that holds the camp.  Wayne's yellow mileage gadget read 7.8 miles round trip.  (It would have been about 10 if we'd made it to the camp. 

 

This was an excellent conditioning hike--all of us felt it improving our legs and lungs.  Wayne suggested two of these each week and Ashley was eager to get up a fourteener--three times she heard "August". 

 

I enjoyed this trail very much, but I don't think that Fremont's descent from the Christmas Camp was on this side of the mesa (shown in the picture).  So, we'll try another angle, checking out the other fork (the main one) of Rincon Creek on another day.

 

Thursday, Dennis says he will lead a hike up to the highly scenic Cathedral Cliffs.  It is steep but a short trip and well worth it.  Easy hikes on Monday and a hard-breather on Tuesday next week.

 

NOTE for your Esthetic Enjoyment:

This Sunday, two cultural events may capture your attention. 

 

From 1-4 p.m., two local fellows (Vincent and Dana) will have a reception to open their exhibition of photography and other art at the Rio Grande County Museum in Del Norte.  (They are also good cooks and I'll bet the refreshments will be of the same fine quality as the images. I've seen a few of their excellent photos and they often serve tasty goodies at our church).

 

Then, at 5 p.m., an outdoor musical concert by the South Fork Music Association well be held outside at the S.F. Visitor Center.  One of our hikers will apparently be performing (Sigrid  Baugh) and reminds each to bring a chair.

 

--Doug Knudson

 

 

This looks like red elderberry

 

Vernon Mann's equipment shed

 

There are directions (here and there)

 

Fremont Christmas Camp is under the cloud and behind the visible trees

 

Brook Cress Cardimine cordifolia

 

Aspen seeds make July snow 

 

Ready to ride home

 

Trail 700 Ride

We had a good ride today with 10 riders. We traveled the 700 Trail and Burro Trail. Yes we found some trees down, but were able to clear them.

 

 

Buddy is back

 

 

 

Looking towards Jasper

 

 

Rough trail

 

George Powell, president

Email President@Silverthreaders.org

 

 

Clear day hike July 1, 2013

Seven hearty folks went up a valley behind the Moulds' home. As we ascended we noticed that smoky remnants of the big fire were vanishing.  As we came down, we saw intense blue sky playing with real clouds (not smoke).  That means it was a great second re-start for hiking.

 

Thanks to Linda and Wayne for their hospitality and refreshments at their colorful home with a beautiful mule, horse, and an amusing dog.

 

People are back in South Fork now.  At a joint church service yesterday, every seat at New Hope Chapel was filled and Rev. Haskin's sermon both comforted and inspired.  Spot fires near here are getting prompt attention from helicopters dropping water on them.  We're all thankful for the "saving of South Fork" and the return to a very normal-looking landscape. 

 

Tomorrow--a Tough Hike--will take a long upward trail at good speed (so we can get back down again in decent time).

We hope to reach Fremont's Christmas Camp from the Cathedral Campground, then follow the same route down hill as Fremont's teams did in early 1849.  Length round trip 10-12 miles. If weather or other factors prohibit this, we'll choose another good conditioning hike if possible.  Meet at the Visitor Center before 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

 

--Doug Knudson

 

The Moulds' Estate, our starting and ending point

 

Beautiful aspen in a lovely valley

 

One color of rose

 

The gentle valley

 

Cut-leaf evening primrose

 

the ubiquitous pink wild rose

 

Excelllent views north of the trail

 

Blue skies reigned after more than a week of smoke