Sentinel Mountain

We celebrated the Ides of March by walking over, through, and sometimes under a thick mantel of snow on lower Sentinel Mountain.  Even after going up quite a ways, "the ridge" was still above us and the peak out of reach for today.

We enjoyed having John and Linda Treibly with us and welcomed new neighbor Scott Sobel. Scott's avant-garde Everest snowshoes allowed him to explore beneath the surface of our wet and soft stuff.

How many colors can you see in the snow?  We found at least 10: yellow, gold, orange, pink, red, turquoise, blue, teal, green and purple highlights. Then try icicles forming on the trees as the temperatures rose.

Next Monday, join us before 10 a.m. at the South Fork Visitor Center parking lot.  After the coming melt-off, we'll do something creative--on snowshoes or hiking boots.

--Doug Knudson

Looks like fun!

fr: Scott, Wayne, Maybelle b. Linda, Pat, Marylin, John, Dick

Baxter Mtn fr. Sentinel base

artsy lunch bench

Scott Sobel

All accounted for

Still dancing!

Beaver Cr Dam and North

Six of us enjoyed the snowy morning by climbing above the Beaver Creek Dam and northward into an aspen woodland in the new March snow. There's something peaceful (and chilly) about snow driven by a wind from the South. Soon, the forest protected us from the wind and allowed sitting on rocks and a log. We soaked up the calm beauty of simple color contrasts and a fresh snow cover.
We'll take you back to this area next fall, when the white aspen hold brilliant golden leaves.
Snow shoes enable us to make a simple trail through the forest.
Bring yours or let me loan you an extra pair (719-873-5239) for next Monday at 10 a.m. We depart then from the Visitor Center in South Fork. Most bring a candy bar or other snack. Warm layers of clothing help, but you could get pretty warm trudging through soft snow.
--Doug Knudson

Local photos

The edge of the day sometimes has colorful drama in South Fork. Here are some very soft color impressions outside of the windows at 89 Fir Drive in the past week. Aren't we fortunate?

Alder Creek trail

Four of us enjoyed the invisible trail along Alder Creek. Snowshoes
sometimes allowed us to walk on top of the snow; at other times we
sank to knee-deep.
We reminded ourselves that John C. Fremont went up this valley many
miles farther than we did (the dominant theory), in early snow. The
high country did in his mules and several of his men. The survivors
retreated back down to the Rio Grande via a valley to the East,
eventually recuperating in Taos, with hospitality of Kit and Josefa
Carson and neighbors.
Next Monday: 10:00 a.m. departure from South Fork Visitor Center.
Dick Dove will lead a short trek through the snow, probably in the
valley where we believe that Fremont descended from their deep-snow
alpine trap.
Dick will bring hot dogs and MayBelle will supply buns for lunch in
Dick's Cow-Camp cabin. If you can, please call Dick at 719-849-0084
to give him an idea of the numbers of hot-dog eaters to expect.
Deadline for calls: Saturday afternoon. If you can't decide until
Monday morning, come anyway, with a sandwich.
The weather is beautiful; we warm up quickly as we "float over the
snow". Join us to maximize your love of the natural beauty and your
satisfaction in becoming one with this lovely natural environment.
--Doug Knudson

Snowmobile ride to Wheeler

  

RGNF Guard Station

A backward glance

Something's watching.

Up we go!

Wayne deep into it.

Two snowmen on small rock

How white is the snow?
How blue are winter shadows?
How deep in the snow does exquisite glacial blue appear?
How deep is the snow, Wayne Odom?
How can green pine needles seem so black?
How brilliantly can snow sparkle, like diamonds in the sun?
A snowshoe walk through the pastures of the RGNF Guard Station also demonstrated that a few of us can perspire on a freezing winter day--a day of incomparably clear blue skies, slight breezes, and great fun.
Join us next Monday before 10 a.m. at the South Fork Visitor Center.
--Doug Knudson 873-5239
Opportunity for service: The Visitor Center director, Josephine Pierce, invites volunteers to help one or two Saturday mornings or afternoons per month to tend the Center and interact with skiers, sledders, and travelers.
Inquire at 873-5512.

Joe and Joyce’s Outdoor Event

Many thanks to Joe and Joyce for hosting a wonderful time snowmobiling, snowshoeing, eating and just visiting. Thanks also to Twin Pines for bringing machines for trying and to Dave and Paul-E Geddes for the use of their property and garage.