Quarry area Photos

A short hike in an interesting place, a downhill trip along a dry stream, a good lunch in a beautiful 1876 hotel, and a tour with a dedicated volunteer made for a pleasant day with 18 people, three of them new and one rare appearance.  You're welcome back, Mike and Molly, Connie and Barbara.

 

Thanks to Mark Jones for an excellent tour of his persistent, meticulous handiwork, along with many volunteers and artisans from Del Norte, our County seat.  They served tasty food well and offer overnight hospitality in a most pleasant environment.

 

Next hike is next Monday at 9 a.m. departure from the Visitor Center, with Wayne and Linda.  Newcomers are welcome. Keep healthy, breathe deeply, push those muscles.  I hope to see you in May with some refreshed Portuguese on the tip of my tongue.

--Doug Knudson

 

 

We were 18 but couldn't find the two bashful ones.

 

How long does it take for lichens to appear?

 

At least 6 different lichens  How old are they?

 

Marilyn on the Quarry

 

Mike 

 

Yucca seed pods

 

Trailside non-hiker

 

More downhill.

 

Season’s First ATV Ride

Connie has a wonderful ride planned for Tuesday (4/9).  Be ready to roll at 9 AM from the South Fork Visitor Center.

Monday hike coming up--IDEA and Reminder

Hikers--

Monday, April 8, we will take a hike to an historic spot or two. Then we can follow up with an delicious lunch in an historic hotel in Del Norte.
The hotel is tied directly to the hike destination.

Yes, the 1870's Windsor Hotel is open and operating (forget the rumors). It has been an apparently smooth transition. This hotel is an important part of our county's heritage and its future. The "new" Mr. and Mrs. Chef are skilled, of local traditional families, and were working with and trained by the California couple who recently departed for opportunities elsewhere.

Judy and I ate lunch there on Wednesday and it was just as tasty and a bit less expensive than before. Yes, they have gluten-free meals and are flexible enough about other foods that you ask about when there. Yes, they offer sinfully rich desserts which could be your meal.

We sat there thinking that you would enjoy this more than a candy bar in your pack. If not, you can go home. If you would eat with us, you could help celebrate our 3 eldest hikers--I think that means Mayebelle and Wayne Odom and Ozzie--with a free lunch. (Don't say it!)

We've made reservations for at least 9 people--there's plenty of room for more. If you wish, we might be able to arrange a tour of the hotel (yet, we suppose that all who are interested will have already done this). It's an interesting experience and we think we may persuade the president or treasurer of the Hotel association to lead us.

LOGISTICS: We'll be going into our hiking place on a rugged road. Bring or ride in a high clearance vehicle. OR—if you're making a getaway on the way out in a low-slung vehicle—you can park it near the Rifle Range (smooth road), and jump in another vehicle for the rocky-in-spots <1 mile approach to the next parking place.

On this hike, I plan on a rather short walk up hill to the main feature. If that's enough walking for some of you, you can return to the vehicles or explore on a side jaunt, while the rest of us go into a 2-mile loop that should be quite picturesque.

Those who forget to bring their cameras for this hike will regret it. The walk is picturesque in nature and history.

We'll see you Monday by 9 a.m. at the South Fork Visitor Center (reminder--9 a.m., not 10).

--Doug Knudson

Elephant Rocks stroll

Monday clouds looked ambivalent in South Fork, with a little sleet falling.  NEVERTHELESS, 19 hikers headed out to Elephant Rocks,

a favorite place of the late Ruth Marie Colville and her children.

 

Up and down the rocks, along the deer trails between them, we traveled a varied route, making about 2.5 to 3 miles seem like more, without great effort. We used our imaginations as we looked at formations.  We saw plenty of lichens, grasses, piñons, and junipers.  As Ruth Marie wrote--

"each rock is a rock island in a sea of earth" and "it is safe country, except for rattlesnakes."

 

At coffee, we made two decisions:

1. We will start the next 50+ hikes at 9 a.m. (departing the visitor center), unless an earlier start is announced.

2. Next week's hike -- the "limekiln area."  We'll get off US 160 at the Old Spanish Trail exhibits/sculpture (between D.Norte and M.Vista).

    Starting time--see decision 1.

We're pleased to see the increase in participation.  We will begin offering more than one hike per week in May.

 

Tentative schedule involving Wayne Moulds, Doug Knudson, Dennis Shepherd:

Monday--Moulds and "easy" hikes.

Tuesday--Knudson and "tough hikes" with gradual build-up of conditioning.

Wednesday--Chapel of S.F. sponsored kids' hikes, with adults accompanying.

Thursday--Shepherd--intermediate and whatever Dennis and the group decides.

Invitation:  The Old Spanish Trail Association has its National Conference in Cortez, CO, May 31-June 2.  See oldspanishtrail.org.

   We'd really like to have you take a field trip and hear some talks about this National Historic Trail covering 6 states.

South Fork Sky 

 

The gang and Connie

 

Elevated ridges of volcanic rocks

 

Woman with a basket?

 

Grumpy and two friends

 

Cave Man?

 

Elephant Rocks

 

Hikers between elephant rocks

 

Round Rocks (Ruth Marie's preferred name for them)

 

Alberta Peak Special hike

Wednesdays Special Hike at the Wolf Creek Ski Area attracted 7 hikers.  We had a scenery experience big enough for thousands of people. All 7 made it to sit on the top. (Ozzie had skied off the top the day before, after walking there from the Treasure Lift)

The goal--the top of Alberta Peak--highest point in the ski area.  The route--the Divide ski trail, which follows the Continental Divide.  Much of the time we were walking directly on the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (3,100+ miles long). 

We walked from the Ski Area Parking lot, following the edges of nicely groomed ski trails.  Many a skier looked our way as they went whizzing down the hill.

One kid on skis was excited--"Can people hike here too?"  Well, we did–hike up and back all of 5.6 miles.  As you can see, it's worth taking it slowly once in a while.  And our aerobic fitness has moved up a notch. Thanks, Wayne! --Doug Knudson--  See you Monday at 10 for a non-snow hike.

 

The Goal

 

Cramp-ons, the essential tool.

 

Hikers today--Wayne and Linda, Lloyd and Barbara, Ozzie and Eve, and one more.

 

It's a trudge

 

Destination--Alberta Peak

 

At the top

 

long view of the Continental Divide

 

lonesome conquest

 

I know I'm camouflaged!  White-tailed ptarmigan Lagopus leucurus, in winter plumage.

 

 

Montezuma Peak from WCRSKI /Continental Divide

 

 

Trail Boss

 

Wednesday hike

We'll have a special hike on Wednesday.
We will hike up from the base of the Wolf Creek Ski Area to the top of Alberta Peak.
That's about 3 miles up and 3 miles down.

The snow is packed, so you won't need skis.
Take some shoes with spikes or slip-over-the-toe rubber devices with studs or coils to give you traction.

We'll leave the South Fork Visitor Center at 8 a.m.
If you prefer to drive up ahead of us, you can wait for us at the Base Camp of the Wolf Cr. Ski Area at 8:30 a.m.

--Wayne and Linda Moulds
--Doug Knudson

Penitente Hike

Ten hikers strolled through part of Penitente Canyon. We were lucky to pick up Mr. and Mrs. Rechten from Crystal Lake, IL at the beginning of the trail. They will be skiing with Barbara and others tomorrow, to watch Del Peckumn ski off of Alberta Peak in recognition of his 80 years of practice.

 

We noted some interesting changes at Penitente, including more fences, benches, and intricate cairns marking new segments of routes.  We did not find the peek-through rock, so Barbara will try again at a later date.

 

Snowshoes weren't needed today.  We found a narrow snow/ice strip in one of the fissures we walked through.  The 60º early afternoon break was almost summery

 

Next Monday, assuming appropriate weather, we'll wander through the ridges and valleys of Elephant Rocks. We'll leave the S.Fk. Visitor Center at 10 a.m.  Bring water and a snack or lunch.  Wear boots--some areas will be rocky--big and little.  Sun block and ready-for-anything clothing = prudence.

 

Invitation for multi-culturists:  Dr. James Jefferson, Southern Ute Tribe, will give a talk on Saturday, March 30, about the Old Spanish National Historic Trail and its impacts on the Ute people.  10-11:30 A.M. in the library of the beautiful new museum, on the North side of Ignacio (Hwy 172).  FREE.

It's worth the trip to hear this gentle man talk.  The museum is worth a trip.  Lunch at the restaurant at the Sky Ute Hotel is, too.  At least five of us from South Fork plan to be there.  You're welcome to come along.

--Doug Knudson    873-5239

 

Penitente hike

 

Paul R. and Wayne

 

Stepping out

 

Lower Rock Garden

 

Slot squeezing

 

The Penitent Owl

 

Giant rocks

 

Will to live!

 

Mid-Baxter Mountain Hike

Monday's hike March 18--only one wore green.

Mid-Baxter Mountain for a few hundred yards (3.4 miles) without snow shoes (alas! winter seems to be leaving us.), we followed an historic livestock driveway part way around the mountain.

A pretty trail, near home, it challenged us mentally to detect the trail's location.--sometimes invisible under scattered patches of snow; sometimes just plain invisible for a short stretch or three, but usually right there under our feet.  Jan has set up a lot of rock cairns over the years. Most are still visible.

 

Thanks to Jon, who allowed Linda stay an extra day to join us.

Next Monday, barring vigorous snow, we'll continuing breaking in our boots for the spring and summer.  You're welcome to join us, at your own risk.

Until April, we'll still depart from the Visitor Center in South Fork at 10 a.m.   Bring snack, water, camera, warm clothes, good boots (they were needed today), good attitude and questions.  We'll find another legacy trail with a southern aspect.  If our normal heavy spring snows arrive, consider bringing snowshoes.

--Doug Knudson

 

Bonnie,Bob,Pat,Jan,Linda, Wayne,Linda

 

View tree

 

Vista resting

 

Tree remains on Baxter Mtn-side

 

oriental trail markers on occidental mountain side

 

Why does Sentinel Mtn look so gentle? We struggle so much when we climb it after Mothers' Day.

 

Trails Closed

This is to let you know all of the Silverthread Trails are closed. We just don’t have enough snow. There will be no more grooming on our trails.

 

George Powell, president

 

 

 

March Club Meeting

 

 

The Silverthread Club Meeting will be March 19^th, potluck meal 6:30 PM, club meeting 7 PM at the South Fork Community Center. Come and enjoy.

 

George Powell, president

Silverthreaders Club

Silverthread Outdoor Recreation Club

PO Box 343

South Fork, CO. 81154-0343

H 719-873-5902

C 719-850-0080

Email ghp0181@gmail.com

 

 

Big Meadows Reservoir Snowshoe

From Hwy 160 to the Big Meadows Reservoir and back made a nice hike in a waning winter.  The shaded snow in this valley of the South Fork Creek has longer frozen life than the nearly bare South-facing slopes. 

 

March should bring more snow, but this year's weather behavior raises doubts.  Next week may drive us to hike on dry ground (wear your boots), but don't put away your snowshoes yet.  This is "flexibility season."  We'll leave the South Fork Visitor Center at 10 a.m. next Monday for a destination dictated by weather and ground cover.

 

In two or three weeks, Wayne and Linda Moulds will lead a hike from the Base Camp at the ski area to the top of Alberta Peak–a 6-mile round trip. Only 1/2 of it is up-hill.  Recommended: either snowshoes (if snowfall is recent) or studded slip-under-the-boot traction devices (if it's icy and firm snow).   Usually the snow on this route is pretty firmly packed by skiers.  (We will stay on the edges of the ski runs to prevent conflicts with skiers.)

--Doug Knudson  873-5239

 

Happy group, moving out.

 

Thawing and freezing produces icicles on the rocks.

Cornice on Big Meadows Dam

 

Pat recuperated on a deep cushion of snow in the sun.

 

Our snow-girt South Fork gets narrowed into a tube under a road.

 

Wayne leaving his  rock lunch table

 

Welcome back to Sharon

 

Bonnie on the snow--still not tired after 3.5 miles

 

Cliffs and fresh snow decorate the walls of this little valley

Heart Mountain

Harolena and I discovered this mountain on the way to Hanson's Mill this
winter and called it Heart Mountain. You can just learn something every day
if you look for it.

Every day is a gift, that's why it is called the present

George & Harolena Powell