10 Snowshoe Photos January 30, 2017

Snowshoeing up the road beside the South Fork of the Rio Grande  to its big lake gave us lots of beautiful scenery--close and high and some in the distance.  8 of us put on our snowshoes and found a nicely groomed path made that morning.

The snow, rocks, trees, and flowing water showed off in the shadows and the bright sunshine.

We couldn't ask for a more beautiful day or spectacular scenery.

We will try, however, starting next Monday at 10 a.m.  Bring your snowshoes to the S.F. Visitor Center and put on your "love of the outdoors" outfits.  Next Monday will somehow already be February.  That means that we have only 4 more months of winter and chilly spring.  You can help us enjoy the cool time by joining us for our short hikes, sometime on snowshoes, maybe a time or two on skinny skis, and some later Spring hikes with your boots and jackets.

Next Monday, I think we may have to go high for deep snow.  If so, I'm thinking of Wolf Creek Pass, down the Southwest side of the pass (which is the beginning of Wolf Creek—the one that flows into the San Juan River, not the East Side one that sometimes flows into the Rio Grande).

— Doug Knudson  873-5239

South Fork of the Rio Grande under that snow

S. Fork of Rio Grande

Making it.

2 lonely trees on rocks

Snow cools hot  hiker 

Outlet of S Fork at the Reservoir

Bridge over the Outlet of Big Meadows Reservoir

Peek-a-Boo

Walking among the giants

Big Meadows valley; scenery we see best when walking in winter.

A snow stroll on Myrna's route

Nine snowshoers followed what seemed to be moose

tracks up a closed road introduced to us some time ago

by former resident/hiker Myrna.  

The winter stroll was lively and lovely, sunny sometimes

lightly cloudy sometimes, and gently snowy other times.

We didn't see a moose, nor an elk, not even deer.  

Apparently they weren't interested in the hikers' 

conversations.  Bob and Bonnie bid us adieu until March.

Big shoes for Myrna's road

 

4 of 9 going up

 

snow artists

 

Palisades just across the Rio Grande

 

Almost an Organ?

 

Down brings smiles

 

Several hikers visited a hillside grave.

 

Next Monday, we'll find another beautiful spot.  We leave 

the visitor center at 10 a.m. on Mondays. The only charge is 

your smile and enthusiasm.

Snowshoeing Myrnas Trail

Doug led us up Myrna's Trail from Coller Wildlife Area up quite a ways to a lunch spot.  Thanks to the snowmobiler that went up the trail a few days ago and made a nice track for us........

 

On the way back from lunch a few of us struck out across the hillside so we could get to the gravesites on the level.  The snow was about 18 inches deep so it took some effort to break the trail over to the gravesites, then Jim broke us a trail down to the road.  Breaking trail down a steep hill is harder than it may sound, the shoes have a tendency to slide under the snow and trip you up if you aren't careful

 

About halfway back to the truck it started snowing, the flakes were so small they were hard to see..

 

Thanks to Doug for another enjoyable outing.

Dennis

Hike today in the snow

I'm ready to take a nice snowy road following some deer or moose tracks, not far from South Fork. Join us at 10 a.m. at the South Fork Visitor Center--less than an hour from now. —Doug Knudson 873-5239

moonlight snowshoeing

What a beautiful night for a walk in the snow!  Seven hardy folks came out to enjoy nature at its best; a great fire(thanks to Wayne & Linda), good fellowship and two new shoers to learn to enjoy our great area.

 

Wayne broke trail for us and we went about 1/2 mile out in the meadow to the North of the CG, a nice level walk.  Then it was back to the fire and coffee and cappuccino to finish out the evening.  We got to see a satellite racing across the Northern sky along with more stars than you could ever count!

 

My camera wouldn't take very good pix after taking the last moon shot, don't know why but that is why I didn't have very many pix to share with you............

 

Dennis

Snowshoeing the Trout Cr. trail

Doug led us up the Trout Cr trail a ways and then took off into the timber and up a side canyon.  The snow was great, but I took the last place in the line so I had a lot easier time of it.  Takes a while to get back in shape, the older a person gets the longer it takes..

There is a Full Moon this Saturday, we will try to have a moonlight "stroll" to take in the Moon and the night sky.  I will get details out to you as the plans firm up.............

Thanks to Doug for a good enjoyable outing.

Dennis

10 hike Photos

Bright sun; sparkling snow, good company of 9 folks wearing big shoes. We headed up the Trout Creek Trail, but as soon as the slope smiled at the sun, the rocks suggested a left turn into flatter ground and deeper snow.  We certainly live in a beautiful place. Even the two degree reading allowed those who trod on the snow carpet to heat up and stay warm.

You are welcome to join us (Karen—from Wisconsin— re-joined after almost  a year of absence).  Next Monday at 10 a.m. Bring your snowshoes for walking in the cold frosting. — Doug Knudson   719-873-5239

Our skyline in the morning

Nine on time   Snow doesn't look as deep as it seems.

As smooth as snow!

thin barrier on the edge

The cliffs above us

Holey trees

Karen

sign of life

Tim's stepping stone

Going out seems easier than in.