Agua Ramon Creek Hike

Five hikers probed the high valley and ridges of Agua Ramon Creek on Tuesday: Ozzie, Eve, MayBelle, Wayne and Doug. We followed our instincts and some prominent cattle trails on a loop through two passes. The views across the Rio Grande and a long misty look at Mt. Blanca were impressive in their vast and varied topography. This area was almost free of snow, but more was on the way; the blue skies turned to gray before the hike was over.
Next Tuesday, another adventure will start at the South Fork Visitor Center at 9:00 a.m. departure. Again, we may have to depend on the weather. Someone opined that snowshoes may be in order. Watch the weather and check with Wayne Odom 873-5864 or the Wells 873-5754.--Doug Knudson

Baxter Mtn. Photos

Six hikers walked up Baxter Mtn. to the TV booster installation.
All followed the narrow ridge upward from there. Four reached the
summit at 9,787' for long views in several directions. Limber pine,
ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and even Junipers somehow get their
roots through the rocks and withstand heavy winds. The asters still
flowering here are evidence that winter has not arrived despite
earlier snow falls on these peaks.
At coffee, we enjoyed the stories of 93-year-old Lawrence Fleming
(our local tire repairman and entrepreneur) about the installation
process of the TV facility on that precipitous perch several decades
ago.
Next Tuesday, more hiking in someplace special, the selection being
weather dependent. We'll leave the South Fork Visitor Center parking
lot at 9 a.m. Bring a simple lunch, good rock boots, and some orange
cloth.
--Doug Knudson

Baxter Mtn Summit

We started at 8700 ft. elevation and topped out at the summit of Baxter Mtn. at 9740 ft. elevation. The antennae are for the TV translator station for the area, built back in the 60's.  The last part of the route is by a homemade rail line and trolley car.  We continued on from the translator to the summit by way of the ridge, a challenging route by any definition. We came back down a different route.  The trees are interesting up there, weather gives them unique shapes and colors.........

 

Next week, weather permitting, the Sentinel mtn. will be the groups' goal, meet at the VCPL by 9 AM, bring your lunch, water and a friend.

 

Dennis

Big Meadow Hike

We had planned on going up higher to the Hunter Lake trail and clear the trees off of it, but the snow was too deep.  Instead we cleared the trees off of the Big Meadow Lake trail, it was pretty "slushy" walking but not frozen/slick underfoot.

 

Thanks to all of you that helped cut, saw and carry the trees off the trail.........

 

We will meet at the VCPL by 9 AM next Tuesday, bring lunch, water and a friend.  We will keep an eye on the weather to determine where we will hike to.

 

Dennis

Sawmill Park

We hiked into Sawmill Park and went on up to the ridge East of it to have our lunch, a lot of the foliage has been blown off by the strong winds of the last few days. There was a skiff of snow on the aspen leaves on the ground which made for a pretty sight.

We are planning on clearing the trail into Hunter Lake next week and then on up to the Stair Steps to clear that trail also. Bring bow saws if you have one or something similar since it will all be hand saws required in the Weminuche Wilderness area.....

Meet at 9 AM at the VCPL, bring your lunch, water and a friend....

Dennis