10 hike Photos June 20

16 stalwarts, including several tough new folks, took a walk on and near old forest road 340, including some shoe washing in a lively creek, a rest in a big meadow, a view of Del Norte Peak from 10,500', some bark beetle kill, lots of aspen coming back, and an almost constant presence of flowers in bloom.

Join us on Wednesday for a nice hike starting just below timberline and terminating on top of Del Norte Peak, if the weather allows.  Along the way are beautiful stopping places if your knees start wobbling. We will return nearly the same way we go up.  This is one of the favorite hikes of the summer.  We watch for elk,  gaze at a lot of peaks in the Southern San Juans, and try to imagine the names of all the alpine flowers that are emerging.

Tomorrow night, the SilverThread group eats together at the Community Center, introduces people and projects in a short business meeting.  Gather about 6:15.  Bring a dish with some healthy hiking food if you can.  All you new folks are welcome.

Well, we were 16 at the start, the turn-around rest stop,  and the finish, but not here.

Golden banner

That's Wed. destination 

Lonely old aspen

Ancient lonely aspens

Bug kill and survivors

Shady destination rest

Alpine Sandwort 

Iris

The dominant flower

All but two missed a great one

People were here climbing the rocks.  One was a 9-year-old (or less) who bounced up the rock, slipped back a few times and swung around to go higher. She obviously trusted the rope and the holder.  David and I decided pedestrian locomotion was more our style.

  We got to see some of the new bike/hike trails and the usual impressive views of the San Juans and the Sangre de Cristos.  Recommendation:

don't miss the Penitente Canyon. Take your guests there.  

Coming events:   Moon light night on Shaw Mesa.  I think it is Saturday night at about 6:30.  Bring some things to heat and eat.  

Contact: Dennis Shepherd 785-215-5334

Next Monday:  Hike at 9 a.m.

Next Wednesday:  I hope to stroll up to the top of Del Norte Peak and hope you'll join me, even if you want to admire the country from the saddle.  9 a.m. depart from Visitor Center.  Hike about 3 miles up and 3 down.  It's a pleasant hike. Please join me.  (If the snow lingers, we may have to take a lower elevation walk.)

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How can a tree grow on a rock?

face on the canyon

Ghost Lake hike

West of Creede, under the towers of Bristol Head, 20 hikers enjoyed a few miles (5) of walking on a lovely day, with calm (sometimes) and brisk (other times) winds. We were pleased to enjoy the company of several "new" vigorous walkers.  Ghost Lake was a fine stopping and lunching point, although we may have disturbed the day for an unseen bear.

We'll hike again on Wednesday, elsewhere.  We depart at 9:00 a.m.  My aim (pending good weather) is the famous Penitente Canyon.

— Doug Knudson

20 ready to hike

Chainsaw Training

Forest Service is having a free Chainsaw training class on Wednesday (6/22). For those of you with a chainsaw, it is a good opportunity refresh your skills and pickup a few safety tips. There are a few slots left in this class.  This helps the Silverthreaders club by having more individuals qualified to help clear the ATV trails.


If interested contact Dennis Vincent at 719-658-2556.

ATV Ride

ATV ride to Shady Creek and 898 Trails. This is a 50" SxS friendly ride. Meet at the SF Visitor Center at 9 AM Tuesday (6/14).


Connie

Trash Pickup

As part of our club's community service, several times a year we pickup trash along 2 miles of US 160. Thursday is our next scheduled pickup day. We will meet in the SF Visitor center parking lot at 10 AM Thursday (6/9).

Remember: "Many hands make light work."

Elizabeth Baugh

President

We've got scenery and flowers!

Nice hike on Monday!  Ages 12 to 80 went high up a hill and virtually floated down to the little creek and back up a little.  I couldn't help but include a couple of pictures from yesterday's scouting trip up at Wolf Creek Pass.  The snow isn't gone, but it's going fast.  Kids threw snowballs and skidded on plastic platters.  One group of 8 (international) lit out to the north of the pass after the cloudy skies and rain passed at 2:30 p.m.  Another group of hikers is coming from the south on pretty slippery snow/water.  

Down lower on the Trout Creek trail, the flowers are out and I'm already puzzled about the big mushrooms.  Who can beat Dennis to the ID!

Next hike is Wednesday, leaving the visitor center at 9 a.m.

To storm or not!    Alberta Peak yesterday

June 5!

June 5 CDT

Gate-keepers

Springtime aspen

Stemless eve. primrose

Mtn. Lupine

Big Mushroom

Golden Banner

Mtn Lupine

Rock Clematis

ATV Ride

A 50" SxS friendly ride on Tuesday to Coolbrath canyon and center stock drive West of La Garita store. Meet at the visitor center at 9AM

Connie

We checked on the Biggest Tree and looked into a roaring Cross Creek

It started out as a nice visit to the biggest tree on the Rio Grande National Forest.  We measured but the various interpretations of measurements prevented making a rational announcement.  It looks pretty healthy yet and is huge--certainly worth a little deep breathing.    Then, by a wise request, we headed on up a while longer and aimed for the Cross Creek canyon.  Staying on the ridge, we descended gently through a lot of fallen timber. We didn't walk far, but we exercised in many ways.

Thanks to Karen Schluter of northern Wisconsin for joining us again.  She says she will be back in July.

Next week, Monday and Wednesday hikes.  9 am departure from the Visitor Center.  You are welcome. 

— Doug Knudson  873-5239 

7 of us went up a hill

 

Found the Big tree (center)

 

Big tree (behind the yellow hat)

 

Beaver mtn S side

 

Roaring creek below us

 

Tangled forest

 

Our Wisc. hiker will be back

 

ATV Ride to Little La Garita Creek

Connie lead a dozen of us on another great ride. We rode up Trl 646 to another wonderful overlook point. I wish I had photos of the creek crossing. What a fun way to get to the other side even if you have to empty water from your boots.


We followed La Garita Creek before returning to the trailers. Some of us took a detour to see the Natural Arch.


Lloyd

Wednesday

We hike tomorrow (Wednesday) meeting before 9 a.m. at the Visitor Center. Judy and I visited some spots, but the creeks are pretty high, so our first choice (Cathedral Campground and Trail) won't work until later in June. (We strolled along the Embargo Creek and a slow stroll through the empty campground. It is beautiful.)

I'm watching the weather (hope you saw the two-piece rainbow). We'll have a place to go, depending on the rain or lack of it. I think I'll keep us close to home this time. I suggest a poncho or waterproof jacket, just in case. If you want some flower photos, we can take some time for you to show off your skills to the grandchildren (if you fit the category).

I'll see you in the morning. Doug Knudson 873-5239

Next door to South Fork

Memorial Day, 2016

It was nice to see summer people joining us--along with a few passing through.   Wayne and Linda Moulds got most of us up to the ridge-in-the-burn (2002), where flowers and aspen are making a comeback.  Unfortunately, the conifers haven't done so well.