Embargo Creek

We hiked on Monday morning on snow (in some places)— all of 1-3 inches.  An old (closed to vehicles) logging road (closed to vehicles) was our path.  The beauty of the valley of Embargo Creek was peaceful and pleasant.  Thanks to Linda for suggesting this route.

 

Next Monday, Wayne and Linda will have another hike (or snowshoe trek), leaving the Visitor Center at 10 a.m.

Bring your visitors and friends.

—Doug Knudson

 

Rock on the ridge above the Embargo Creek parking site.

 

Sign that requires study.

 

Two ladies in an ancient piece of real estate

Lunch on logs

Munching lunchers

 

Unusual form with what may be a musical heritage

 

Cliffs above the trail.

 

Monday hike—East Fork of Alder Creek

Wayne picked a nearly windless trail.  It was hard to believe the weather on Dec. 8—50ºF, sunny, and no snow up to 10,000'.  Life is good, but water is scarce.  This trail was unusually rocky—the only drawback.  Good views southward toward Del Norte Peak.  Four miles round trip.

 

Forecasts suggest that next Monday's hike will be shy of snow, too.  We'll see you before 10 a.m. at South Fork Visitor Center. 

[If you see snow stacked high (feet, not inches), bring your snowshoes.]

 

Eleven hikers found a flat spot to park and headed up the trail. Out front here is Cathy McCurdy, an experienced hiker joining us.

Scenery of rocks and limber pines

 

One of those limber pines

 

Mountain-mahogany and it's fall regeneration equipment.

 

Tis a rocky and steep trail, Tim got back in high-altitude shape

 

Then he found a lunch spot.

 

Dec. 1 Hike

Ten hikers took the familiar trail to the Lost Lake area, had a scenic lunch, and then kept going South-West-North on animal trails, ridges and valleys.  A red truck awaited 4 drivers to complete the loop back to the starting place.  It's rather hard to believe that we're trekking on snow maybe 2 inches deep and about half the time on bare ground.

 

No snowshoes needed

 

Douglas-fir root–ancient, serpentine, on-the-rocks of the lookout where we ate lunch.

 

Neighboring stump

 

Pat's hobbit gate--two other ancient Douglas-firs.

 

Can you find Lost Lake's home ground?  As dry as any of us have seen it. Not every tree has been "bugged". Spruce submitted;

healthy Douglas-fir, aspen, bristlecone pine (left foreground), limber pine, two species of fir frame Del Norte Peak.

 

We followed animal trails down the West side of the cliffs that arise W of the "lake."

 

Trail blazers

 

Aha--our ride awaits.

 

At the present time, our plan is to have a hike or snowshoeing regularly on Mondays, meeting before 10 a.m. at the

South Fork Visitor Center. 

We may add other hikes during Christmas break, as we have requests by visiting hikers.

Check with the Visitor Center 719-873-5512 or Doug Knudson 719-873-5239.