Hike

A perfect autumn day with green, yellow, and a few orange aspen--an enchanted forest and a 5-mile walk relaxed every one.

The place--a trail off of a forest road, south of Shaw Mesa and east of Del Norte Peak.

 

It was the last day for Larry Brannon; we hope he'll be back next summer. All the rest were year-rounders.

 

Tuesday hike will be led by Wayne Moulds--thanks for filling in so I can attend a memorial service for a fine lady of our community.

 

I'll lead the Thursday hike while Dennis entertains company from Kansas.  (Note to Dennis--my other appointment is now on Wednesday).

 

We'll be adjusting the schedule for Fall and Winter within a few more weeks.  Your suggestions are welcome.  Hunting season is started; as it gets more intense, we may find it wise to make temporary adjustments.

 

--Doug Knudson  873-5239

 

 

Eleven walked and talked...

 

through green and golden glades.

 

If leaves could tell their tales!

 

Sometimes in sunshine

 

Sometimes with views

 

We rested beneath the great Del Norte Peak

 

4-log high walls  House of J&J--and a few others

 Big Mushrooms, ready to spread spores

 

A great day…another one!

 

Color progress

I heard a rumor that ATVers are headed for Platoro on Tuesday.  Several (not ST) were there on Sunday.  So were the Knudsons and Pryces.  These pictures show that color is growing but not at its peak yet.  I have to adjust my "peak day" forecast from Sept 29 to about Oct. 4.  The rains and the early hard frosts have had two effects: 

1. happy chloroplasts that are staying green and

2. frozen leaves that--only in pockets--have produced a rich light brown tone to some trees.

As one lonely photographer from New Mexico said as he ate a big hamburgers--"the color's not as good as last year."

Photo tip:  use backlighting to get the most vibrant colors.

--Doug Knudson

Sept. Crystals  S Fork

 

Jagged, S San Juans

 

9-29-13

 

DSC05709

 

"early" colors in Alamosa R. Valley, Stunner

 

Colors on the way on Sunday

 

*Mtn W of Platoro

 

DSC05747

 

Tuesday ATV Ride

We will have an ATV ride Tuesday, meet at the visitor center at 9 AM. We will go up on Pool Table and put out snowmobile trail poles. It will be a ride and work day. Hope to see you there.

 

George Powell, president

Silverthreaders Club

Silverthread Outdoor Recreation Club

Email President@Silverthreaders.org

 

 

West Bear to East Bear loop hike 9-26-13

We went up the West Bear cr. trail for about 3 miles, met a trail maintenance crew up the trail about 1.5 miles putting in water bars and general maintenance.  We traversed up the ridge to the East as far as we could, then scrambled the rest of the way to the top.  We found a nice spot for our lunch and rested a few minutes and then we came down through a huge grove of aspen that was turning colors, then though some spruce and then through another large aspen grove that hadn't turned yet.  We struck the East Bear trail in the middle of the aspen grove, it was about 2 miles from one trail to the other. From there it was an easy hour back to the truck...............

 

We are leaving in the morning for Mary's oldest sisters' funeral, will be back in a few days.

 

Dennis

Hiking the Continental Divide Trail on Sept. 24, 2013

8 tough hikers experienced snow--later water--and sunshine on the Continental Divide Trail.  We followed the deep foot prints of several horses from the night before.  (Note: if this is to continue as a horse/hiking trail, it needs strong funding and frequent restoration, even though it's in a Wilderness Area).

 

It's good to see that other hikers are still enjoying this National Scenic Trail.  A gal from Norway and a couple from Ashland, Oregon; a 50 mile hiker headed West; and somewhere out there riders of 2-4 horses perhaps waiting for big game to cross their path.

 

We live in a beautiful place, where nature is the ruler and space seems marvelously ample.

 

Coming up:  Thursday hike  9 a.m. at Visitor Center. Dennis plans to go on a nearby trail/road and expects to make a loop and return towards South Fork down a "brother" route.

Next Monday--same time and place for a 5-mile stroll.

Next Tuesday-- "         "       "        "      for a slightly more strenuous hike.  Weather may bring us down out of the sky-views.

--Doug Knudson

 

Hikers on Lobo overlook

 

N from Lobo--Bark beetles (front), Fire (back)

 

CDT clings to steep slopes and nature's harvest.

 

Lunch on a log

 

Going, going, not all gone!  Spruce bark beetles prepared millions of trees for quick burning when lightning struck.

These weren't burned and the young ones may be too vigorous for the beetles.

 

Hope

 

Muddy trail, horse trench

 

Stomping through the mud--no one fell!

 

Broad segment at the top of the Continental Divide

 

View from the CD Trail ("King of the Trails")

 

Trout Creek hike 9-23-13

Wayne led us up/down, up/down, up/down, up to a nice lunch spot 2.5 miles on the trail, some folks went on another 1.5 miles to the actual Trout Cr. just to see it.  More energetic than the rest of us I suppose.....

 

After lunch Wayne took us down/up, down/up, down/up, down to the vehicles; the reason for all the ups/downs is due to crossing 3 drainages on this trail.  A good trail for getting one's legs in shape without tiring out.....

 

Doug is planning on taking the Tuesday group on a hike from Lobo Overlook on the CDT to the NW as far as weather and other conditions (snow?) allow.  Sounds like a great hike.......

 

I will lead the Thursday group up the West Bear Cr. trail ( one we haven't hiked for several years) for 2 to 3 miles and then we will look for a saddle or low spot to the East so we can climb over and then down to the East Bear Cr. trail and back down to the vehicles. 

 

All hikes meet at the VC at 9 AM, please bring a snack, plenty of water, raingear, sturdy boots and a friend or two......

 

Dennis