Fremont hike on October 2, 2012

Where did Fremont make his Christmas camp in December 1848?  Some said the sign was lost. At least 4 of our 6 hikers had heard that the sign was gone and we had had no luck locating the site. After lunch in the southern part of the correct mesa, we decided to go farther north.  We located an almost vanished cattle trail and then a V tree and then a series of high stumps that may have been buried in snow when their tops were turned into firewood.

 

So--the original sign is still there, mounted on two trees recently killed by tiny Dendroctonus engelmannii.  We have a place for a new one and it is being routed soon. We now know where to put it. 

 

Even with dead elderly spruce, the scenery is vast and lovely, the hills are breath-taking, and the skies are blue.

This was our 4th "Fremont's Fourth" hike.  We've been walking through one of the most infamous historic events of Rio Grande County. The drama started when the expedition headed up Alder Creek through today's golf course.  We've traced it to the Christmas camp--but there is more--and it's mostly down hill to Embargo Creek's emptying into the Rio Grande and then the long trek to Taos and recuperation. The story is that, in Taos, when Fremont finally knocked on Kit Carson's door late at night, the mountain man/guide could not recognize his friend, the haggard Captain, whom he had guided several times for long expeditions.

 

They say that all's well that ends well.  Well, well, well, this story did not end well.  By the time the men arrived at this Christmas camp, the mules had been dying from starvation and the men were hungry, weak, and suffering the winter miseries in 8 feet of snow.  What a Christmas it was--right here in South Fork's back yard, in 1848.

 

Mesa Mtn (background) and Dennis looking for Fremont

 

Fremont camp hunters Dennis, Wayne O., Linda, Wayne M., Bob.

 

Here's the Sign!--Wayne,Dennis, Linda, Wayne O. + Bob and Doug 

 

1848 Christmas Camp sign

 

Fremont Christmas Camp

 

Fremont? and stump

 

The way of the beetle

 

One more hill to climb--a steep one that made the hike fall into the "tough" category.

 

N side of Pool Table Mtn from the top of the previous hill.  Fremont hiked his troops and mules across the top of the summit on the right, then descended into the notch, then descended toward the north to camp more than a week before arriving at the Christmas camp.

NEXT WEEK all hikers are invited to another hike--perhaps to the same spot if the new sign is ready (it was only about 5.5 miles round trip, plus a long ride in the pickups to and from the starting point).

Otherwise, we'll see some of the Fremont "tours" at lower elevations, down by the golden riverside (less strenuous).

We depart the South Fork Visitor Center at 9 a.m., car-pooling. Remember, October can be warm and cold on the same day. I have a few orange vests and sweaters for your safety. Questions?  873-5239    --Doug Knudson