Boulder Field Hike

On a beautiful spring day with only occasional clouds, six of us strolled the gentle base of Beaver Mtn.

We invited Wayne but he and Caroline were apparently facing the moving process as the top priority. We hope to see him next Monday. 

The trail through the Boulders and up part of the hill was lovely.

 

Next Monday, we'll meet again before 10 a.m. at the visitor center.  I've put away my snowshoes—who knows what that might bring? I wish you a meaningful Easter weekend.

--Doug Knudson

 

Trudging up a gentle hill

 

Spring hasn't sprung; The 2013 fire has died out (horizon--not "in South Fork.")

 

Appreciating the forest—Dr. Ozzie

 

appreciating a rest

 

Black, white, with golden eyes — you can't miss her!

 

Odom departure party

Wayne and Carolyn Odom have started to move their primary residence to area of Dallas, TX (and near their grandchildren and children).

Many of us have enjoyed and admired these people who have graced our community for 23 years.
I hope he will be hiking with some or all of us on Monday at 10 a.m. I've asked him to choose a favorite place for a 2-hour stroll.

On Saturday, April 4, a Community get-together with potluck food will be started at 6 p.m. at the community hall of the Chapel of the South Fork. All of the Odom's friends and neighbors are welcome. The kitchen has limited heating and 2 refrigerators, as well as a couple of big coffee makers.

Any move reveals the need for decisions about "things," so you may wish to bring some small written message, remembrance, or financial gift for the Odoms. More important, however, would be your presence and expression of good wishes.

As you know, Wayne was active in several organizations here, including Kiwanis Club, Silverthreaders, Chapel of the South Fork choir, Gray Wolf Ski Club (yes, he was skiing last week), and who knows how many other groups. He often has helped the ill and broken, the hungry and poor, those in spiritual need, and just plain kindness. He also is an avid fisherman. Carolyn reads avidly and always has a kind smile for friends and strangers alike.

We invite you to express your appreciation for these people who have enriched South Fork in many ways, making it a pleasant, kindly, decent place to live.

-- Doug and Judy Knudson

W. Fork, N.Branch Old Spanish Trail first hike of Spring

Six of us gracefully skimmed over the nearly treeless route of the Old Spanish Trail.  San Juan Mountains to our W/SW; Sangres to our E/NE; Greenie Mtn to the south.  A refreshing breeze kept us cool.  Two pronghorns decorated the hillsides as they exercised their protective duties.  One even showed us the way back to the cars.

 

We'll try to have an equally delightful hike next week on Monday, 10 a.m..  It's Spring, so we'll take nominations for hike times and destinations.  Just send me a name/place of the hike you'd like and we'll put it on the agenda.

 

--Doug Knudson

 

 

1850s wagon ruts

 

Wagon ruts from Santa Fe

 

Up to the San Juans

 

Ancient, simple plants

 

Do you like lichens like I like lichens?

 

Sangre de Cristo back "fence"

 

DSC09999

 

It's big country

 

Hill-top ornaments

 

Penitente Photos

An even dozen enjoyed a beautiful-sky day walking the big loop around Penitente Canyon.  We heard and saw four or five big funnel clouds of sandhill cranes gaining altitude and heading North. A bald eagle soared near them, apparently wondering why all the hubbub. 

 

On the way up the trail

 

A relic Ponderosa pine earned appreciative comments

 

Nice lunch tables

 

Marilyn helped us see faces in the rocks

 

This hardy tree keeps trying to make something out of a rock, year after year.

 

Next week, 10 a.m. at Visitor Center.  Snow or no snow, we'll go somewhere beautiful. --Doug Knudson

Monday

Good Sunday to you.  Let's get together for a good hike on Monday.  The ski area has forecast no snow but the expect about 5,000 skiers for Monday and Tuesday.  A good reason to hike in the low country.

 

Preliminary plan:  Hiking boots and a ride to Penitente Canyon will welcome in the Spring.  Low altitude; good views

Meet at the Visitor Center in South Fork for car-pooling before 10 a.m. departure.

In the unlikely case of a new foot of snow, put a couple of snowshoes in your travel trunk.

Bring a friend for a pleasant hike.

--Doug Knudson

Hiking pictures

Here are Linda's pictures from the snowy hike last week.  Remember, we will be ready for another one tomorrow (Monday) at 10 a.m.  I'm advocating the Boulder Field, where we can adjust to conditions and conditioning according to the depth of snow and temperature.  It is mostly flat ground. --Doug Knudson

I meant to send these earlier but the snow on the mountain has been calling! Have a good snow shoe hike tomorrow in this wonderful snow. I will be headed back to Texas to retrieve the spring break children and head back up. Thats the plan but weather and people have the potential to change everything.

Take care and thanks for coming to my neighborhood for snow shoeing last week.

Linda