Silverthread Outdoor Recreational Club: June 2015

Monday, June 29, 2015

two hikes: Tues and Wed.

Monday's hike up Tewksberry trail was enjoyed by 25 eager people.

Two of those people, the Stanley ladies, are here to get conditioned for a climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa (19,300').
We're building up day by day to get their sea level lungs and hearts adapted to higher ground.

On Tuesday, they will join me at 89 Fir Drive at 8:30 for a hike on the Continental Divide Trail and a couple of 13,000' little peaks up at Spring Creek Pass (Highway 149). A few of you feeling a need for moderate breathing exercise may join us. The Stanley ladies will rule the speed and distance (unless I can't keep up with them). The weather forecast is clear skies and cool breezes (up there). Bring plenty of water, and some food.

Wednesday's 9 a.m. hike is planned to go up on the SW face of Beaver Mountain (home of the 2002 fire), hopefully reaching Model T Park and its lovely views of our community and its surroundings. This is on a clear trail, mostly up going one in and mostly down coming out. Meet for 9 a.m. departure at the Visitor Center.

Friday's hike is to take part in the patriotic parade with other members of the Silver Thread Club.

--Doug Knudson

By the way, The Woodlands group from Texas asked me to thank you for your courtesies and participation during the past week. That group of 26 hiked four 6 days, and scattered for "rests" on Wednesday. This group of flat-landers did well on our slopes.

Tewksberry hike 6-29-15

Wayne led 26 hikers up the Tewksberry trail, but not from the trailhead; he started us out from the Upper Beaver CG. The first step was to cross the Beaver Cr. via a well made log bridge, then up the gully and coming up to the trail in the middle of the first park. This is the best way to hike this trail, since we avoided the hazardous rocky and steep start of the trail. The rest of the trail has loose rocks due to the ATV usage of the trail.

Lots of wildflowers out, if you notice each rose has a resident insect on it; I think the aroma must be the attractant, (ant, get it?) so much for bad jokes..........

The mushrooms are starting to be found, Wayne & Linda found some Aspen boletes down low, so be on the lookout for them...

It was a great hike, although we had a "downer" when we got back to the cars; all the cars had a yellow envelope requesting $6.00 payment for the parking. The concessionaire is within their legal right due to the provision of potable water, a toilet and level campsites.......even though the cars were almost all parked off the road.

Doug will be leading a hike Wednesday, I will NOT be leading a hike Friday due to the SF parade and 3rd of July celebration...

Dennis

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

9am tomorrow at Visitor's Center tomorrow

Wednesday hike will leave the Visitor Center in South Fork at 9 a.m.
We will go to Creede and a bit beyond to hike up to the dramatic peak (connected to Campbell Mountain) that towers over many mines and great scenery. It's worth the short fairly steep hike up an old road. It will be an unforgettable experience for you and it is not dangerous (assuming that all act in a sane manner).

Several members of a Houston, Texas hiking group will accompany us. They will probably join us for refreshments (or lunch) at the new Arp Restaurant (most of you know Mr. Arp from his superb acting at the Creede Repertory Theatre for the past 8 years). Then, we can show off Creede to these folks or shop or head home.
—Doug Knudson 873-5239

Friday, June 19, 2015

Shorty Spring hike 6-19-15

We drove up through the old Embargo Town site to Shorty Spring (9600 elevation) and hiked up to the top of the saddle (10470 elevation). Then down into La Garita park and to our destination, La Garita creek (9500 elevation). We came back up the trail about 1/2 mile to a nice lunch spot beside the small stream with its many cascades, can't beat the sound of water flowing for a relaxing minute.

After lunch we continued up to the saddle and down to the truck, it is a little over 2 miles from Shorty Spring to the creek. Amazing difference between the South side (loose rocks and dry, dry, dry) and the North side with its' lots of springs and mud.

We came home a different way, West up the hills and down into the Baughman creek drainage and down the creek bed to clean up the bottom of my truck..................rough roads either way you come in.

Come to the VC Monday for a pleasant hike with Wayne and welcome back to Peg, the flower lady........

Dennis

Reminder!

Saturday is highway trash pickup day! Meet at the Visitor’s center an 10AM.

Wear orange if you have it.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Trout Creek hike — Wednesday

Nine hikers walked up, down, up, down, up, and down. We didn't see Trout Creek, but got within a half-hour of it.

Jim Griffin join us and used his forestry background to tutor us on the trail's White fir, Douglas-fir, Blue spruce, Aspen, Ponderosa pine, Limber pine (P. flexilis), a few junipers, a few subalpine firs, and some bushes. Flowers on this trail are responding to the recent warmth and rainfall.

Barbara Hunter has rounded up 22 other Houstonian hikers to take this trail next Monday, along with 6 other day hikes through next week. It's an ambitious group that is accustomed to frequent hiking. We'll strengthen their breathing apparatus' (gently) and their mountain muscles (gradually). Barbara has invited Silverthreaders to join them on any of the hikes.

Our regular MWF hikes will continue, as usual, with Dennis (Fri) and Wayne (Mon). I offer a regular hike on Wed. and some members of the Woodlands Hiking group may accompany us on this, their only scheduled rest day.

I'm hoping we'll go to Creede to climb Campbell Mountain, then join the shoppers in our colorful neighboring town. Maybe some will take in a play at the superb Creede theatres.

Doug Knudson