The loop walk from Hunter Lake parking up a "short-cut" led through meadows and over downed trees. Many dead beetle-killed spruce will soon join their neighbors on the ground. We arrived at timberline and higher as several rain drops scattered the group. Some stayed to watch elk far below us, then munched on lunch. Others disappeared into the timber down the exit route toward Hunter Lake.
Soon, we gathered at Hunter Lake and traipsed back to the car--all except Dale, Dennis, and Carolyn, who gathered mushrooms successfully down the alternative route, where we picked them up.
Coming events:
Tuesday 9 a.m. leave S.Fork Visitor Center. Guided by weather forecasts, we'll hike to near the mouth of Trout Creek, then go up it for a couple (or more) miles, then return to the parking place on US 160. As your guide, I confess that I've been close, but never actually reached Trout Creek. But the map suggests that I can't get you lost unless I somehow choose the wrong valley. The out-and-back trip will be about 8 miles and the valley bottom should present little danger of lightning. Bring a poncho or raincoat and boots for a rocky trail in places. Minimal creek crossings, if any.
This is not recommended for slow hikers, since we want to go quickly enough to get to the trail (2 miles) and then get quite a way up the creek before turning around. A lunch or snack would be good, along with water, a sweater, etc.
Wednesday 9 a.m., the Chapel of the South Fork kids' hike takes moms and dads, tykes and teens and in betweens on a high but easy hike to get a bird's eye view of South Fork. You'll also learn about some of our rocks and flowers and local history. Meet in the Chapel parking lot. This may be the last of the summer hikes, since some kids have already started back to school.
Thursday 9 a.m., Dennis will take us to near Metroz Lake, at 11,000 feet elevation, then do a circuit around the uplands to acquaint you with the native flora, especially the fungal type. If you like to eat the fruit of the fungus, then be among us on Thursday.
--Doug Knudson
Guideposts attracted favorable attention
14 of 16 hikers--at our limit in the Weminuche Wilderness
Subalpine flowers were in abundance--fringed gentian
View from the stairsteps--the elk headed for the trees just as the rain started. Cows and calves.
Looks like subalpine arnica
Probably black-headed daisy
Hunter Lake--near the end of the loop
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