Seitz Creek & Shorty Springs

It was a good day for an ATV ride. I guess we have officially started clearing trails. We rode up by Seitz Creek and Shorty Springs today. We rode to the top and hit the snow, so we turned around and came back down. 793C is open to the top. It will be two or three weeks before you can go down the other side, because of snow. I don't know for sure where, but we will ride next Tuesday. Meet at the visitor center at 9 AM. -- George

Bear Creek Trail

South Fork has a new hiking trail! It gets very intimate with one of our small streams. It is exclusively for the homeowners association and invited guests.
Six (Harolena, Marilyn, Sally, Connie, Judy, and I) showed up on Monday for our first non-Tuesday hike. (If Tuesday comes tomorrow, Wayne will lead you through Penitente Canyon). We walked on the interesting new Bear Creek Trail on private property, as guests of Kay Jones. The trail follows Bear Creek for 1.5 miles, with about 10 very nice crossings. A little ice on the creek and a charming little waterfall added some zip. The new benches gave a little rest at well- placed lookouts. Since we were near or in horse pastures (no horses) on a warm day, we also found some arachnid friends, six of which accompanied me home; Marilyn contributed another to our front shrubbery.
This group decided that they would prefer Thursday to Monday for future hikes; that way some could also hike with the Tuesday group with time to clean and polish their boots between hike days. So, this group (and you) will hike again on Thursday, May 1. Meet at the South Fork Community Center before 9 a.m. and help us enjoy other nice niches near our fair city.
--Doug Knudson

Bear Cr with rime

Icy falls/Harolena

Bear Cr. Falls cold

Beaver Mtn from Bear Cr

Limekiln valley

I heard rumors of a Monday road hike. This is the Tuesday outing, with the Kleins joining us for the first time this year. We explored the Limekiln Creek and adjacent valleys. The place is beautiful, sunny, with attractive rock ridges. Limekiln, Pup, and Dog peaks decorate the skyline close in. Pintada Peak stands snow-covered in its broad majesty. Much of our hike was beyond the reach of motorized conveyances. Thanks to Barry Nelson for his quiet, vigorous leadership through the maze.
Barry will probably be back next Tuesday, trying to find new ways to enjoy Penitente Canyon. If not, Wayne and friends will see if they can find some creative ways to slide through the rocks there. Meet at the Community Center before 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday. Plans are to partake of the "best burgers in the valley" in La Garita, or to find their competitors in Del Norte. Bring water and wear boots. No pets, please.
If you are a Tuesday "sitter-upon-vibrating-machine-with-wheels" aka "dust breather", you are welcome to hike on Monday--a day set aside by edict of the Silverthread President for healthful, clean-air walking. Gather at the Community Center parking lot before 9:00 and you will be led on a gentle or vigorous walk, depending upon your calm choice as a group.
So you are not surprised by changes in this new hiking arrangement, there are some who cannot make Tuesday hikes and some who strongly prefer not to do Monday hikes. One thought is to evaluate whether Thursday is preferable to Monday (some want to hike on two days per week, with a rest between). Another is to take a fit group on longer (±10 miles), steeper, more adventuresome hikes at least 6 times per summer. Things will settle into a pattern as June approaches. Please stay flexible and kind.
--Doug Knudson

among the rocks

Limekiln-- go with the flow

The kids

limekiln

3 birds

Limekiln area

Eleven of us looked for faces and shapes in the rocks in the Limekiln area. Here are a few of the best.
Next week, meet again at The South Fork Community Center on Tuesday before 9 a.m. or at the Old Spanish Trail sculpture on US 160 at about 9:25. We found one kiln today; we'll look for the others next week. This will be easy country walking; wear boots; bring water and light lunch. -- Doug

Big Bear

Nun

Pain?

Winged creature

Nicomodes Gulch

Nicomodes Gulch--easy 5-mile stroll among the rocks, just below the snow. Welcome to Barb Wall of Alamosa.
Next week, Tuesday 9 A.M. leave South Fork Community Center; meet valley folks at Old Spanish Trail site on 160 about 9:30.
We expect another gentle walk in the Lime Kiln area, with Wayne Odom.
--Doug Knudson

Strolling in Nicomodes Pintada over Nicomodes Gulch
Hikers in Nicomodes Gulch
Lunch on a Rock

Penitente and Witches Canyons

Barry Nelson led us through many ups and downs in Penitente and Witches Canyons as we heard the gabble of hundreds of sand-hill cranes circling to find a wind that would carry them northward to their breeding grounds.
We were honored and inspired by a special hiker. Spec./almost-Sgt.
Marcia Smartt is home on 18 day R&R from Iraq. Her lithe ease on the rocks had some "more experienced" hikers talking about fitness. Many of us had prayed for her survival on Kit Carson Peak (visible from our trail), some 3-4 years ago.
Next week, we'll leave the SF Community Center at 9 a.m., meeting "valley people" at the drive in theater area W of Monte Vista shortly after 9:30 a.m. Bring a trail lunch and be ready for flexible weather. --Doug Knudson

Marcia/Nina Smartt on the edge

Descent of the Penitent

Slippery wedge

Up a rocky trail-Penit