Cross Creek Trail

Harry, Jack Smith, Connie, Harolena, Bill Longfellow, and myself worked on Cross Creek Trail today. We found trees and snow. It is still closed 3 1/2 miles up from Beaver Reservoir. The picture of the snow bank is the stopping place. It is about 4 feet deep there. The one picture shows the one bunch of trees we encountered. It was quiet a mess. It took a lot of sawing to clear that one out. Harry made up for Tuesday. Have a good week end. -- George.

Forest Road 345

Exclusive Thursday hike for 5. Welcome back John and Sue Romine.
Welcome visitors Don and Pat Jeane.
The fire recovery is slowly emerging--many good roots in the soil.
We saw seven species of butterflies, seven species of birds (or
more), and about seven kinds of flowers. Spring has sprung! Lost
Lake has filled to its maximum. -- Doug Knudson

Middle Alder

We hiked up the Middle Alder trail for about 2 miles and 12 creek crossings. There are 13 crossings total. The sparkling objects in the stream are flecks of gold (probably fools gold) and are very pretty. Th whitish log up in the air is an Aspen with all of its bark eaten off by elk/deer last winter, some of the trees were skinned up even down to the smallest branches.

The blackened area is part of the prescribed burn completed by the Forest Service this Spring; they burn off the underbrush and dead stuff to prevent it from feeding a wildfire.

There were LOTS of trees down on the trail, we moved all of the smaller ones off but there are still about 20 trees still down that will take a chainsaw to clear. The stream has cut over into the trail in 3 different places for a total of almost 1/2 mile...

We will hike Thursday, meet at the Comm. Bldg. at 9AM, bring your lunch, water and a friend............

Dennis

West Alder

What a beautiful day for a ride and such a wonderful ride. The food was great and the fellowship was fantastic. We got to play in the snow, but Harry was disappointed because he didn't get to cut any down timber. We picked up lots of poles and rode 37 miles. East Bear Trail is still closed.
Thanks to all that went along.

George

Forest Road 432

Here are some pix of the old cabins, plus a group pix with Doug in it..........

Dennis

Forest Road 432

Nine Thursday hikers went to #432 to search the "other fork." Dennis found two ruins of cabins, up a steep hill under a rock slide. It was May 22, 2007 and lightly snowing for about 1/3 of the hike. Barbara made clothing adjustments only 7 times. When we went to Blimpies, we made a first sighting--$4.04+ for regular gas. Then we went home in a mild white-out (it didn't stick).

If you're in South Fork next Tuesday and/or Thursday, come hike with us before 9 a.m. at the Community Center. Snow shoes probably won't be required. Lunch may be convenient. Bring boots, but no pets. -- Doug Knudson

Marilyn, Harolena, Barbara, Dennis/Mary, Bill, Dawn, and Bill.

Aspen, anyone?

Strolling uphill is our specialty--it's good for the lungs.

Marilyn finds a friendly, big, old Douglas-fir that survived the big
fire, way back.

Two rude awakenings--May 22--snow + $4

Forest Road 432

A company of 10 companiable people went up Forest Road 432 to catch a long glimpse of the scenery beyond Elk Park. We live in inclined countryside! We'll see you again, Peg Ellenberger (of Wickenburg AZ)--soon, we hope. More hiking starting on Thursday at 9 a.m. at the Community Center. We'll venture further into the beautiful Rio Grande National Forest. Bring lunch and a poncho. --Doug Knudson

5/20/08 10 hikers

RGNF/Coller/a silver thread?

Into the Aspen

crossing water

Elk Park/Sentinel behind