It has been decided to cancel the ATV Poker Run. The forest service is not sure we can get a permit, and we don’t know how many people will still be here. If you have any questions please contact me.
George Powell, president
Friday, June 28, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Frisco Creek Hike
We went up the West Fork of Frisco Cr. trail to a place we could climb over the ridge (I missed the "saddle" by 100 yards) and then went down the other side to the Middle Fork of Frisco Cr. trail and back to the truck. It was a little further than I remembered, Barry's GPS showed 8.7 miles total......but distances pass quickly when you're having fun! And we were out of the smoke for a few hours........
Jim saw a cinnamon bear for a brief time on the way back down the trail. I saw lots of flowers and swallowtail butterflies that were very shy, finally managed to get a picture of one. Lots of beetle kill showing up along the trail, especially on the West side which is much drier than the Middle Fork.
We had lots of company on the trail, couple of ATV's, 3 dirt bikes, one trail groomer, two other hikers and a couple of horse people. Both trails are very, very dusty and beat up on the West Fork trail, lots of maintenance has been done on the Middle Fork trail, thanks to whomever.............
We will have to play the Monday & Tuesday hikes by ear, I will plan on leading a Thursday hike next week. I will put out the word when I learn it.
Dennis
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Smoky Photos of the Rio Grande in South Fork
This smoke on Wednesday (the other pictures were from Thursday, despite what I wrote) came from the W side of the Continental Divide. The deep red to pink reflections on the river were stunning.
--Doug Knudson
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Portraits of dead spruce smoke--nearest flames, 10-12 miles away.
Wednesday afternoon. The edge of the smoke is over South Fork. Last Thursday four of us were hiking in the area now in flames. Tonight, the Community Center was SRO. So far, no structures. Wilderness, left alone or watched, does this now and then. With our overmature timber left uncut, the Dendroctonus engelmannii larvae create abundant firewood. Then we get dramatic scenes like these.
I'll send you a few from last night's reds and pinks.
--Doug Knudson
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Smoke can be dark adobe red
This looks ominous, but it is smoke from two-three mountain ridges to our WSW
Hidden Valley hike
Barry was our guide today and he took us on a great hike! We started at the end of Hidden Valley road on Bennet Cr. We went up about 1/2 mile to the Bennet Cr. ATV trail and followed it a ways until it turned to the SW and crossed the creek. We stayed on the E side of the creek and followed a pack trail along Little Bennet creek for a couple of miles thru a great aspen growth; it sure was nice to hike in the shade under GREEN trees for a change. We left the pack trail and bushwhacked back to the N along the ridge just W of Frisco creek drainage until we hit the E trailhead of the Bennet Cr. ATV trail, which we followed back down to Bennet Cr., completing our loop. Then it was a short hike back to the vehicles. According to Barry's GPS we covered just under 6.5 miles.
The Bennett Cr. ATV trail is getting bad; there are places on the side hill where the lower track is at least 18 inches lower than the upper track. If you ride this trail be very careful. A few of you may remember about 10-12 years ago when I had and incident with my ATV on this trail; we found parts and gear scattered all over the side hill and found everything except one tire chain; when we stopped for a short break under a shade tree today, Barry happened to look up and saw a tire chain hanging from a branch. You guessed it, it was my missing tire chain, weird.
Wayne will be leading the hike Monday and Tuesday, meet at the VCPL at 9AM, bring your lunch water and a friend.
Next Thursdays hike will be up the West Frisco Cr. trail and then come back on the Middle Frisco Cr. Trail........
Dennis
Forest Fire Information
Attached link has latest fire information posted by Archuleta County Emergency Information.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Moonlight hike this Friday
The fire restrictions went into effect yesterday; we can still have our cookout and hike using gas grills instead of an open campfire. If you have a portable grill, please let me know. Kevin & Paula are bringing the wieners and buns, Mary & I will bring the drinks, chili and paper products. The rest of you may bring whatever dish you would like to share with the group and also bring chairs, stools or whatever to sit on.
We will start at 7 PM and to reach the location go East of South Fork one mile to FSR345 (Del Norte Peak rd.) and take it about 4 miles to the first good road to the left. This is Shaw Mesa and we will be about 1/4 mile down this road and back to the left (North). If it is very windy we will be about 200 yards on further to the NW in the trees.
Even though we won't be able to have the campfire we can still enjoy lots of fellowship and fun on the hike to the overlook. Hope to see everybody there.........
Dennis
ATV Poker Run
ATV Poker Run
To benefit accident victim Darrel Gillespie’s medical bills—Donations accepted
Hosted by
The Silverthread Outdoor Recreation Club
Motorcycles and Side by Sides Allowed
Where: South Fork, CO.
When: July 27, 2013
Poker Run Starts from 9:00 to11:00 AM
Awards Ceremony immediately following
Meal Furnished, Serving starts at 12 Noon on site.
Entry Fee: $20 per hand; $5 for meal only
Limited to First 100 Entrees
On sight entrees accepted if available
Prizes:
1st place = 25% of poker pot; 2nd place = 15% of poker pot
3rd place = 10% of poker pot; Secret Hand = $25
The Poker Run will be held on Forest Service roads near South Fork; the staging area will be on Park Creek Road. Details will be supplied upon registration. Advanced registration is required by July 21, 2013 and should be made by e-mail to president@silverthreaders.org (Please indicate number of ATV’s, and number of players).
Advance entry fee or donation may be sent to:
Silverthreaders, Attn: Poker Run
P.O. Box 343, South Fork, CO. 81154
For information about the Silverthread Outdoor Recreation Club, visit our website at www.silverthreaders.org .
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
12 good Del Norte Peak climbers
All twelve made it to the top--including a few recent arrivals. Someone said that arriving at 12,000' took the wind out of her sails. The last 400' of altitude to Del Norte Peak's summit looked easier than they were.
The flowers were abundant--promising even more than they showed. Alpine sunflowers are the showiest but much smaller this dry year than normal.
We saw 3 elk (front of the line)--papa, mama, baby, apparently. The cloud show was spectacular and not threatening.
Next Tuesday for tough hikers, Wayne will probably take you up on Hog-Back Mesa, just south a couple of miles from Del Norte Peak. We explored it last year and found it to be quite remote, different, and very interesting.
I'll be back the week after that to follow the last leg of Fremont's route.
--Doug Knudson
Our goal above us
That's timberline back there
Some felt dizzy here
Snow banks in mid June
Men on Top
Women on Top
Linda -- last signing
Things are tough up here
A small Bristlecone pine forest
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Monday, June 17, 2013
Deep Creek hike
Wayne led us up the Deep Cr. trail for about 2 1/2 miles to a nice spot for lunch and resting. The wildflowers are coming out gangbusters; thanks to all the help in identifying them (most all of them). It was a beautiful day for a hike, some clouds and a few sprinkles at the end but otherwise "picture perfect".................
Doug is leading the group to the top of Del Norte Peak tomorrow, be sure to be at the VCPL by 9 AM, bring lunch, water, sunscreen, sturdy boots and several friends.
I will take the group to Hidden Valley on Thursday for a new hiking destination.
We will have a Moonlight Hike next Friday, I will send details out Wednesday for all of your information.........
Dennis
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