6 Hike pictures. Yes, Judy found it!

4th of July rose

4th of July hikers

Up the kinda steep trail

Crooked branches on Ponderosa

How about this for the Fourth?

She got to the root of it!

Hikes

We had a nice hike this Monday morning with 7 or 8 regulars. We will have another one for anybody on Wednesday morning. We will drive to the Elwood Pass area and hike up the trail to the Continental Divide (about 1 mile), then decide how to divide up the various forks. Linda has a strong positive wish to climb a pointed little peak with breath-taking views of many miles in all directions.

This requires about 30 miles of driving on good, mostly gravel, road. So, bring some energy replacement packets (i.e. food) and good hiking boots. Those who just want to gaze upon the beautiful flowers coming into bloom can make this a short "hike-and-appreciate" event. The rest of the group can gather you up as we return toward the cars.
You can report on your flower inventory.

This is usually a photographic favorite, with small clumps of timberline conifers and many portrait possibilities of a beautiful landscape. You will be on and near the 3,100 mile Continental Divide Trail (from border to border of Mexico to Canada).

South Fork has already hosted 4 groups this year who are hoping to finish the whole trail. They are using our town for "recuperate and resupply" purposes. The Silver Thread club is collaborating with the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses to encourage these folks in their seemingly Herculean pedestrian efforts.

(Sorry that today's pictures are buried somewhere in the computer that refuse to surface. Judy will assuredly find the flaw in my thinking and dexterity.)

ATV Ride

Next Tuesday (7/5) our ATV ride will be to Blowout and trail 700. This tide is 50" SxS friendly. Meet at the Visitor Center parking lot before 9AM.

Connie

ATV Ride

Friday's ride will be a fun ride (non-work). We will ride Pass Creek. Meet at the Visitor Center parking lot a 9 AM. This ride is 50" SxS friendly.

Connie

7 Photos on an unnamed ridge

Eight of us went uphill to a ridge-top, a place overlooking South Fork and environs, 

On the way up--ancient trees and other-age trees—mostly Ponderosa and limber pines

Resting Rock relieves the pull to the top.

2002 fire in Willow park

2002 Survivors 

spiral log holds wrestler

The descent wasn't easy

But Joan's smiles reigned—welcome!

So close to South Fork, yet remote when we're in the woods, then suddenly we're looking through burned trees at Willow Park residences.

Then 11 a.m. snacks and searching for a way down toward Church Creek. We had descended too far North to have to ford the Creek, so we strolled and rolled over to our shuttle.  We got home as a few sprinkles started a very soaking shower.  Nice day with good sports.

We'll hike again on Monday (the 4th) and Wednesday, departing the Visitor Center at 9 a.m. each day.  Remember the South Fork Independence Day activities are on Sunday the 3rd, with an after lunch parade, where our hikers and seated gentry strut their stuff.  Check the Visitor Center for details.

July 4th (3rd) Parade

The Silverthreader Club will participate in the parade for South Fork on July 3^rd, anyone interested in riding their ATV, bicycle or walking is welcome to join in.  The parade is scheduled for 3:00 pm, they would like for us to stage at 2:00 pm.  The route is the same as last year.  You may decorate your mode of transportation or not.  Candy to throw is always a crowd pleaser.  Hope to see you on Sunday.  Thank you

Elizabeth

Middle San Francisco Creek Hike

20 of us enjoyed "flowers galore" along the busy Middle San Francisco Creek this Monday morning.  Several new faces joined us and hiked with enthusiasm and vigor.  One exclaimed "It couldn't be more beautiful than this."

On Wednesday (9:am) we will continue a scenic floral journey, but on a different route, seldom visited but clearly visible from down town South Fork.  This one takes us up a park road, then into the woods. We'll wind around to the top of a hill's long and broad ridge. From this broad ridge we will see the results of the 2002 forest fire on our left (we usually stay in the live trees).  On the right are forest stands that escaped the fire. Then we descend to Church Creek and on down our way to a shuttle awaiting us.  Drivers will return you to the starting point.  

Hiking boots are suggested; this is fairly smooth walking, but not a trail, Little tennis shoes may be uncomfortable.  Two years ago, a once wealthy lady lost a diamond earring on this route. We can be on the lookout for it.  Diamonds or other jewelry aren't recommended accoutrements for this activity.  

We have chosen this route because of the rain schedule we've been experiencing in early to mid afternoon. A poncho or rain jacket might be useful.

—Doug Knudson   719-873-5239

Wild rose

Lousewort

Winding upward

Future destination, from the trail

Middle Frisco Cr. 

Water does fall

Paintbrush

Golden Banner

Looks like Am. Bistort

Cliff over Mid Frisco Cr.

Mtn. lupine

ATV ride

ATV next Tuesday will be to Bristal Head. This ride will be SxS friendly. Come and enjoy.
Meet in the Visitor Center parking lot at 9AM ready to ride.

Connie

ATV ride

ATV ride today (6/24). It may be a work ride if someone brings a chainsaw; otherwise, we will have an easy ride. Harry is not able to ride today.

Connie

Alpine flowers and nine fine hikers

It was a great day for those of us who enjoy colorful flowers. We also enjoyed the alpine views of the whole countryside.  What a set of views from the top of Del Norte Peak!  Nine hikers made it to two high points.  

At about 1:30, we experienced new winds and descended into the subalpine.  About a mile from the vehicles, we were pelted by hail (small) and heard some sharp rumblings.  The rumblings turned into some sharp and noisy lightning.  One, not far from the cars, got us some proximity to a lightning bolt, although we were stretched out separately.  Then we reached the cars with no damage to them or us.  (I had been praying.)  The Forest Service had an observer going up the road that we went down.

Over the next several weeks, the colors and variety of flowers are worth individual hikes through this subalpine and alpine landscape.  

Join us for hiking on Monday and Wednesday.  

Reminder for my benefit:  Friday at 2:00 p.m., I'll start a talk and discussion about the Old Spanish Trail, one of our longest National Historic Trails (Santa Fe to Los Angeles). 

The free talk will be at the beautiful county library in Del Norte.  

The 2000 mile trail (three variants) involved Ute and Paiute and Navajo people, the San Luis Valley, Kit Carson and lots of lesser known travelers, including scientists, traders, muleteers, Yankees, Mexican citizens, etc.  I'll try to make a good discussion of this beautiful trail, with emphasis on this valley.  Judy and I have been officers of the Old Spanish Trail Association in the past and continue without titles. 

We would appreciate your attendance and questions.  If you haven't yet gotten acquainted with our County Museum, this is a good chance to do so (on the same block as the Conoco Station, right at the traffic light).

9 of us climbed today

Nice red alpine flowers that escaped two flower books.

Subalpine Jacob's Ladder

Walking in grassy alpine

Come meet this guy!

Alpine phlox

Alpine clover or Dwarf Clover

Silverthreaders Club meeting - TONIGHT

The June  Club Meeting is Tonight June 21st. Potluck at 6:30 PM, with meeting to follow at the South Fork Community Center. Come and enjoy.

Elizabeth Baugh, President

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