Mon., Nov 30 hike (2015)

A nice group of 9 donned their snowshoes (successfully) and wandered through the boulder field. We had shin-deep snow, lots of sunshine and shade. (Unfortunately, I left my camera at home.)

Marilyn set a nice uphill pace, helping all to breathe deeply and to keep trudging.

Next Monday, meet at the Visitor Center before 10 a.m. departure. We'll go where there is good snow.

— Doug Knudson

Snowshoe Reminder

Monday morning 10 a.m. at visitor center with your snowshoes, even if it's snowing.  This will be a chance for a short outing, getting used to your snowshoes on fairly flat terrain, with only a few ups and downs.

 

We should be back by noon ±.

Doug Knudson

Elephant rocks hike

Nine hikers enjoyed an almost balmy November day on one of the trail/roads of the elephant rocks area near Del Norte.  We climbed partway up one of the volcanic flow rocks for lunch, saw maybe 30 antelope about 1/2 mile ahead of us.  They got the message and slowly sauntered toward the north, away from us.

 

Beautiful day, clear and bright.  Easy walking. 

 

Next walk will be on Monday at 10 a.m.  Note the time change.  If snow returns, bring your snowshoes (or X-C skis) for fun close to home.  If the snowman   stays up north as predicted by some, bring boots and we'll enjoy our beautiful weather, whatever it is.  We wish Wayne and Linda well as they help reduce the overabundance of deer in Kansas next week.

 

Judy and I are back from nearly 4 weeks in Recife, Brazil, and other nearby destinations with our daughter. We're rigging up a 10-minute picture show for you to see some spectacular scenery, modern buildings,   and others dating back to the 1600s,  plus nice flowers and beach scenes.  Our open-door policy lets you stop in at any time.

 

9 started up; all made it!

 

Icing on the rocks

 

We needed Marilyn to name this one.

 

Looks like we went to the animal fair!

 

Lower left_a few  pronghorns (antelope)--little white dots in a big gentle valley.

 

big rock

 

interesting shapes

 

C'mon up for lunch

 

Sangres 40 miles away

 

One of the famous chains of lava flow that some folks liken to a herd of elephants.  A non-lava mountain peeks over from the other side of the San Luis Valley.

 

Hike on Monday

Wayne will lead a hike to the Elephant rock area Monday morning. Meet at the visitor center a 9 AM.

Trash pickup for South Fork

We will be picking up trash thru town on Wednesday, 10-28-2015.  Meet at the Visitor’s Center at 10:00 am.  Hopefully we will have sunshine!  Thanks, Elizabeth

ATV Ride Tuesday 10/27/15

We will have an ATV club ride, Tuesday, as it is a non-hunting day.  Meet at the Visitor’s Center and plan to leave at 9:00 am.  If it is raining at that time, the ride will be canceled.  Hope to see you there.

Monday’s Hike

Hikers.

This week there is a break in the hunting season, so Wayne has decided to lead a hike to middle Frisco creek.

Meet at the Visitor center at 9 AM on Monday (10/26)

No hike on Monday

Hunters are active this week so there will be NO hike on Monday (10/19).

Tuesday Pot Luck & ATV Ride

The club is hosting the Community Pot Luck, Tuesday, Oct. 13^th.  We plan to set up tables, etc at 5:00 pm at the Community Building.  Pot Luck will be at 6;30 PM.  Hope you can join us.

The club will not have scheduled ATV rides this week, since it is a Hunting week.

Elizabeth

Monday and Wednesday

The Moulds have informed me of the death of Linda's 100 year old mother. They are headed for Kansas.
That leaves us leaderless unless Dennis shows up. I am trying to meet several deadlines before heading out toward Brasil.

We realize as well that big hunting season is opening, so it may be a good time to leave the woods to the
hunters for a while.

Many of you can lead the way up a trail. If you wish to do so, I'll be at the Visitor Center at 9 a.m. to get you started.

Doug Knudson

ATV Ride Friday, 10-9-2015

The club ATV ride for Friday will be Shorty Springs up the Center Stock Drive and loop around.   This will be a work ride.  Leave the Visitor’s Center at 9:00 am.

It was one of those special days!

A day worth living. Light worth recording. A time worth hiking in our National Park at the Dunes.  Sorry we failed to attract more of you.  I think I'll be preparing for a trip to the Brazilian ocean next Wednesday. (We depart on Thursday.) So, I'll be back in mid November, hoping for snow and its big shoes.  Thanks for joining me this spring, summer and fall. 

—Doug Knudson

 

Sand, water, mountains of rocks, colorful vegetation. Serenity, ripples, mountains. Changing light; easy walking.

 

Medano Creek and colorful vegetation

Brushstrokes on the water (Medano Cr.)

 

Vegetation on Dunes

 

Diversity

 

Pat among the colors

 

Life and death

 

 

Windswept

 

Clouds to the north

 

Sand to the South

 

Pine doubles up

 

ATV pics for 10-2-15

(10-2-15) Eleven of us set up poles at Alder Creek for the upcoming snowmobile season. 

Lunch with hamburgers and all the trimmings was wonderful.

 

13 Platoro "Hike" Photos

One of the most scenic areas in Colorado lived up to its reputation on this Sept. 30.  Eight of us enjoyed the great colors and the rivers and reservoirs and pond.  We walked three times--a total of about 1/4 of a mile.  We make this trip every year; this day was one of the best of the 14 trips I've made.    And, the food folks fed us well at the Lodge where I thought things would be closed.  It will be, but only late tomorrow afternoon. 

You probably got Dennis' note today that he won't be available for any more hikes this Fall.  He expects to be back next fall.  So—our next hikes will be Monday and  Wednesday.

We will look for you then at 9 a.m. at the Visitor Center in South Fork. 

Question about Wednesday:  Would you like to cross the SLValley for a hike in or near the Great Sand Dunes? That might mean an 8 a.m. start, due to the distance.  Please respond if that is a good idea for you.  —Doug Knudson    873-5239  or douglasfir636@gmail.com

 

Sunrise

 

DSC01574

 

Tiers of Aspen

 

DSC01585

 

Stunner E

 

Short hike 

 

DSC01601

 

Lily Pond

 

Lily pond

 

All aspen aren't yellow

 

Sunshine in Aspen

 

Red Mtns

 

There's Stunner!

 

Thursday hikes

I will not be available for any more hikes on Thursdays this Fall, will start again next Spring..........

 

Thanks to all the hikers for the fun and fellowship that you have shared with us.......

 

Dennis

ATV Ride Friday, 10-2-2015

The ATV ride for Friday will be up Pool Table and around to set out poles for snowmobile trails.  We will cook hamburgers and furnish the trimmings.  Please bring something to go with the burgers or desert and your drinks.  It would be helpful to RSVP to President@Silverthreaders.org , so we don’t run out of burgers.  The fall foliage should be pretty also.  Meet at the Visitor’s center and plan to leave at 9:00 AM.  Thanks

Elizabeth

Phoenix Park Photos

Sixteen people walked nearly 6 miles, taking in beautiful gold, yellow, orange leaves and two lovely waterfalls at autumn flow levels.  Phoenix Park is a favorite place for many residents of Creede, including many of the actors and actresses.  The autumn leaves are one reason; two gushing water falls attract in early summer.  The two moose we startled and followed until they magically disappeared added another attraction.

 

The first (smaller and higher up the valley)  offered precarious high seating for fine views (first picture).  Unfortunately, some folks opted for lower seats and only glimpsed the falls.

 

 

Waterfall 2--only about 1/4 of the cascade showing

 

Aspen Phoenix Fox

 

The bigger falls, where some ATV riders have created a precarious surface

 

Trees died on rocks

 

Aspen from Falls

 

Looking W from Phoenix Park Trail.

Next Hike is for color lovers.  On Wednesday, we will do a little short hiking (optional) at at least 3 destinations near Platoro.  We will spend

time in photography of some of the state's most colorful and varied leaf shows. 

Then we'll patronize the new restaurant in Platoro  (the older one will be closing for 2015 on Tuesday, as we understand it). 

Judy and I have eaten well in the new smaller establishment and gift shop..

You will get an array of the colors with any camera.  We'll stop by a couple of lakes and at least one pond, several spectacular peaks

a quick visit to a beautiful campground and two rivers.

  If you haven't visited the Platoro area for a while, you'll get a good ride through great scenery of one of the most remote roaded areas of

our fair state.  The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (hiking) is up near the western peaks.  Pedal bikers go through Platoro on the dirt-road

Great Divide Mountain Bike Trail.  Thousands of bikers from around the world ride through our county (Del Norte) each summer--

about 4,000 miles from Banff National Park to the heel of New Mexico.

The weather forecast is for partial clouds but no rain.  If you prefer to eat your own food, bring it along and enjoy a stroll through the

rustic village with no permanent inhabitants and closed in winter.

We will start at the S.F. Visitor Center, promptly at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.  We plan to be back before 4:30 p.m.

Questions?  Doug or Judy Knudson  719-873-5239