Penitente Hike

Clear day, cool breeze, beautiful rocks and peaks, a dozen fine people.
Now that makes for a good hike.
Add hospitality at Munro's elegant new house
and a look forward to a Thursday hike or snowshoe event (watch the snowfall).
Come join us at 8:50 a.m. on Thursday at S.F. Visitor Center.
--Doug Knudson

Under way after talking with Angie Krall (Forest Service/BLM)

••Penitente

•The Rock Garden

•Penitente side notch

•Crestones fr. Penitente

•Penitente/Sangres

Lone pine on dark cliff

Round Rocks Hike

Nine hikers wandered among the valleys and ridges of the "Round Rocks" or "Elephant Rocks" north of Del Norte. These finger ridges of volcanic rock form many shapes that resemble people and animals we have met. We enjoyed clear skies above, despite snowy clouds all around us. Jon Treibly and John Thiesfeld joined us along with their relatives.
No hike planned for Thursday, Thanksgiving Day. We'll look for you at the Kiwanis dinner at the Community Center and/or the community church service on 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Church of Christ (near the Post Office). We'll resume next Monday, with the Moulds being in Kansas or points east.
If we get abundant snow, we'll go snowshoeing. If not, we'll use our little feet in a pleasant spot. Meet at the S.F. Visitor Center for a 9 a.m. departure on Monday.
Doug Knudson call 873-5239

 

Intellectuals among Round Rocks:
2 Treiblys, 2 Moulds,3 Thiesfelds,1 Fluck

•Figure in Round Rocks area

•Piñon cones Round Rocks

•Narrow passage--Round Rocks

•Shortcut didn't work

What's this in Round Rocks

•Ridge among Round Rocks

Dog Mountain

Thanks to Nina Smartt (guide) and Jim Griffin (map man, etc.), eleven of us had a gentle, pleasant cultural hike in beautiful sunshine, The mountain scenery visible from the lower slopes Dog Mountain impressed us. Thanks also to Gayle Froehlich for access and parking permission.
I was good to have several hikers back home from forays into Texas.
It was a successful hike but no trophies were taken.
Thursday--another hike or a snowshoe trip. Bring boots and snowshoes so Wayne and Linda can decide based on weather and preferences between snow up high or turf down low.
--Doug Knudson

Dog Mtn hikers Nina, LindaX2, Wayne, Jan, Suzanne, Barry, Pat, Marilyn, Jim. 
Destination in background.

•Heading N to Dog Mtn.

Dog Mtn Palisade

Dog Mtn to Pintada Peak--big country.

Serious rockers

Heading back

Alberta Lake

On November 14, 2011, our group of ten donned snowshoes and walked downhill to Alberta Lake. Beautiful sunshine, bracing wind, and an uphill workout on the return made for a 3-mile first snowshoeing run of this season.

Thursday, join us before 9 a.m. for a hike or snowshoeing (weather dependent) at the South Fork Visitor Center. We're studying the possibility and permits of going to find (again) the biggest piece of rock art in the San Luis Valley. If that doesn't work out, we have some alternatives in mind.

--Doug Knudson

Sentinel Mountain

Snow is coming down the Rio Grande valley as I write this, but we had beautiful sunshine this morning in South Fork.

Seven hikers strolled the lower hills of Sentinel Mountain. We had beautiful sunshine and lovely views of the setting of South Fork. Deer made a trail for us, then looked up to watch us come down on a steep hillside to Cottonwood Dr. Judy kindly offered coffee, pretzels, and popcorn to enrich our end-of-trail lunches.

Many of us will be skiing on Tuesday.

Some of us will be hiking on Thursday--bring snowshoes if we get more snow. If not, we'll find a good spot with minimal snow. Everyone's welcome--meet us at the South Fork Visitor Center before 9 a.m. No pets, please. Bring a snack or lunch. Invite a friend or new acquaintance.
--Doug Knudson 719-873-5239

Lime Kiln Hike

We trekked over the snow (about 2 inches deep) to the Lime Kiln, then over to the gravesite on top of a hill. About 6 miles total..........

The Spanish Peaks are the tiny white tops behind the Sangre de Cristo range, about 120 miles away; sorry I didn't have my most powerful camera with me to bring them up closer.

Lots of rabbit and coyote tracks, looked like a coyote found a mouse or ground squirrel for his breakfast.

Wayne will lead us Monday on a hike, probably up the Sentinel Mtn area, be at the VCPL by 9AM, bring lunch, water, a friend and hiking boots (preferably waterproof).............

Dennis