San Luis trip March 28

Seventeen climbed the hill of the Stations of the Cross, visited the beautiful chapel, saw the Monument of the Mexican Martyrs, ate lunch at Cafe Mystica Rosa, visited the oldest store in Colorado, studied the Sangre de Cristo Parish church, saw the Commons, saw the state's first (we think) acequia (ditch), visited the outside (sorry about the lock) of the old San Acacio church, looked at the Rio Grande, gestured at the statue of Jack Dempsey, and ate a few blizzards in Monte Vista.

Thanks for the collaboration and the company.

Next Monday, we'll take a more typical hike--it will be beautiful and wonderful, I hope. Leave Visitor Center 9 a.m.
--Doug Knudson

Hike 616-617A

With 3 seasoned hikers inspiring us, ten folks went up road 616, which somehow turned into 617A and took us through the Piñon-Juniper forest above Alpine. We got into an ecotone with the appearance of Douglas-fir and Ponderosa pine and aspen.
he views were vast. Someday, we'll keep going long enough to find the end of this road/trail. Presumably it's somewhere near Bear Cr.

NEXT WEEK SPECIAL TRIP!
We plan to go to San Luis by car-pool, leaving at 8:00 a.m. on Monday. Meet at the Visitor Center before 8:00. We'll climb the trail with the Stations of the Cross sculptures, visit the beautiful chapel overlooking the oldest town in Colorado, and see several other features nearby. It seems that some of our members want to eat at a restaurant, so we'll explore the possibilities. We also hope to visit the oldest standing church building in the state--at Old San Acacio. I'll contact a couple of friends who may be able to talk with us or show us special things.

As you may know, the Old Spanish Trail (east fork of the North Branch) goes through San Luis; we see this town as a major cultural preserver of ancient Hispanic traditions. It's a town of special character. Somehow, as an 8 year resident of two towns in Latin America, I feel quite comfortable in this place. It has a most interesting history and some fine citizens.

Due to the distance, please plan on a longer time than normal.
--Doug Knudson

Octogen hikers 3-11 Mayebelle Gilfillan, Ozzie Wells, Wayne Odom

Linda,Wayne,Eve, Ozzie, Marilyn,Mayebelle,Wayne O., Lloyd/Barbara

Lunchroom

Piñon cones March 2011

617A /D.Norte Peak

Lookout Mountain (a.k.a. D Peak)

Sometimes things we see often Can become something special.

Thanks to the Del Norte Trails Organization, eight of us enjoyed the beauty of Lookout Mountain.

Often bypassed with but a glance, this place has 3+ miles of admirably built foot-trails winding around the base and to the rocky top, revealing splendid views in all directions.

Congratulations and thank you to the team that conceived this and to those who diligently and expertly built the secure trails. Our hikers, from South Fork and Monte Vista, admire your work.

We appreciated the six deer that showed us part of the way.

Thanks to Barbara Graham who resumed her regular ascents and graciously greeted us at the top (our condolences to her).

Next Monday at 9 a.m., we'll leave South Fork Visitor Center for another beautiful place. If the predicted "no snow" weather continues, we'll hike for 3-5  miles. Believe it or not, that will take us 3-5 hours, so bring a snack or sandwich, water, and a friend or two.
--Doug Knudson 873-5239

Lookout Mtn

Two teachers assess the grade

Bennett PK fr D Mtn

•Good trail bed work D Mt

Going down Lookout Mtn.

Monday hike March 7, 2011

Nice Hike. Great views of South Fork. We beat the snow flurries, not the clouds. Mayebelle declared the route was "almost" flat, yet we were above the cliffs. Everybody passed the tree ID test, until we came upon a pinyon pine, only slightly out of place, ecologically.

Next week we may hike with regular boots or we may don snowshoes--depends on the weather. Meet before 9 a.m. at the visitor center in South Fork. Anyone is welcome;come warm and walk safely.
--Doug Knudson 873-5239