Day, Date,

Departure Time

&

Departure Place

Outing Description

Spring 2011

 

Printer-friendly version

 

Logistics, rules, meeting places, and difficulty ratings

 

E-mail schedule changes and updates to: mail2020@seniorsoutdoors.org.

 

Schedule changes and trip updates are in red.

 

Participation in Seniors Outdoors! activities by non-members is limited to two outings per year. Visitors who wish to actively participate are expected to join Seniors Outdoors!

 

Meeting Place Abbreviations: ACP: Animas City Park; TC: Trimble Crossing; Tam: Tamarron; DMR: Durango Mountain Resort; SRP: Santa Rita Park; RC: Rec Center

 

 

Difficulty Rating,

Total Length

&

Elevation Gain

Tues Mar 1

ACP 9:00 am

TC 9:10 am

Tam 9:25 am

Snowshoe up the Beautiful Cascade Creek Valley. We'll meander beside or on Cascade Creek, the exact route to be decided by group preference.  Carpool $4, 4WD if Hwy 550 is snowy, Limit 12, No dogs.

RSVP: Charles Berglund 247-9747 chasberglund@msn.com

Moderate

5-6 miles

400’-1000’

Wed Mar 2

 

SRP 9:30 am

 

Wednesday Wanderers Walk the Animas River Trail.  Every Wednesday through the winter join Eric to walk the River Trail from Santa Rita Park to Home Depot and back.  May turn back sooner or go on to Escalante subdivision if desired.  Enjoy wildlife, river views and companions. No RSVP required. Dogs on leash only.

For Info: call Eric Pahlke  247-1130

Easy

 

5-7 miles

Flat

 

Wed Mar 2 thru April 1

DMR

Meeting times and places will vary according to ski group.

 

Meet other SO! Skiers and ski with a group at your level. The Monday/Wednesday/Friday group is for skiers interested primarily in groomed blue and black slopes at a fairly fast pace.  Meeting time is shortly before 9:00 or 9:30am and will meet just outside the lift line ropes at the base of Lift 1 (the six pack).  First timers should contact John Montle at 769-6108 or mntnlvr@frontier.net . Back up contact is Betsy Petersen, 259-5417 or betsyp@bresnan.net Meeting days and times for other groups will be announced via email by a group leader. Interested skiers will be put on an email contact list. We will meet uphill from the electronic trail sign in front of Purgy's. (Look for the ski poles with a colorful tape spiral around them.) For more information and to get on the email list, contact SO! downhill ski group co-coordinators Bruce Rodman at BERodman@gmail.com or 385-7899 or Jim Shadid at 884-4612.Lunch: The groups usually meet at noon for lunch on the second floor (bar level) at Dante’s when it is open.

 

Fri  Mar 4

Downhill Skiing at Durango Mountain Resort.  See Mar 2 for details.

 

Mon  Mar 7

Downhill Skiing at Durango Mountain Resort.  See Mar 2 for details.

 

Tues  Mar 8

 

5:30 pm New Members

 

6:30 pm Social

 

7:00 pm Potluck  

Rec. Center

SO! General Meeting

Spring Pot Luck

New Member Orientation 5:30 pm

Social: 6:30 pm

 Potluck: 7:00 pm

Bring your own table service and a dish for eight with a serving utensil.
A-F  Dessert         G-M   Main Dish       N-R   Salads    S-Z   Main Dish
In addition to your potluck dish, please bring non-perishable food donations for Manna Soup Kitchen

 

Wed  Mar 9

Downhill Skiing at Durango Mountain Resort.  See Mar 2 for details.

 

Wed Mar 9

SRP 9:30 am

 

WW hike: Animas River Trail

See Mar 2.  No RSVP required

Leader: Eric Pahlke  247-1130

Easy

5-7 miles

Flat

Thurs Mar 10

 

SRP 9:00 am

 

Hike the Alien Trail:  Just north of Aztec, this trail winds through pinon and juniper forest with some slickrock and views into Hart Canyon.  There is even a marker commemorating a UFO crash site.  Car pool $4, No dogs.

RSVP: Cheryl Berglund 247-9747   chasberglund@yahoo.com

Moderate

8 miles

300’

Fri  Mar 11

Downhill Skiing at Durango Mountain Resort.  See Mar 2 for details.

 

Mon  Mar 14

Downhill Skiing at Durango Mountain Resort.  See Mar 2 for details.

 

Wed  Mar 16

Downhill Skiing at Durango Mountain Resort.  See Mar 2 for details.

 

Wed Mar 16

SRP 9:30 am

 

WW hike: Animas River Trail

See Mar 2.  No RSVP required

Leader: Eric Pahlke  247-1130

Easy

5-7 miles

Flat

Fri  Mar 18

Downhill Skiing at Durango Mountain Resort.  See Mar 2 for details.

 

Fri  Mar 18 to

Sun  Mar 20

RC 9:00 am

Car Camping/hiking trip to Utah: In and around Moab.  We will drive over on Friday and find a campsite, then spend the time hiking and exploring the many canyons or scrambling over some of the spectacular slickrock buttes. Primitive camping or motels in Moab Bring plenty of water. Carpool TBD

Leader: Bill Cagle RSVP 385-4566 or cagle81301@yahoo.com

Hard

6 - 8

miles/day

500’

Many times

scrambling

Sat Mar 19

Sat Apr 2

SRP 8:30 am or

Harry’s in Mancos 9:00 am

Hike Hovenweep Area and Birthday Party for Harry Hance.  This hike has been moved to Saturday, April 2. Drive to parking lot northeast of Hovenweep Headquarters and hike to 3 sites. Later hike to Cut Throat Castle.  Bring snacks, lunch and water. After hiking, return to Howard Drake’s place in Pleasant View to enjoy a birthday dinner party for Harry Hance. Carpool  $11, Limit 12, no dogs

Leader: Howard Drake RSVP Harry Hance 533-9757 or  hhance315@fone.net

Moderate

5 miles

300 ft

 

 

Mon  Mar 21

Downhill Skiing at Durango Mountain Resort.  See Mar 2 for details.

 

Tue Mar. 22 –Wed Mar 23

or either single day

SRP 8:00 am

 

Snowshoe or XC Ski Lizard Head Pass and Ryman Creek; or Downhill Ski at Telluride Ski Area.  For those going two days, stay at Rico Hotel Tuesday night.  The hotel has a group rate of $99 per couple for room, 3-course dinner Tuesday night and hot breakfast Wednesday morning.  $66 for single. 30% discount for Telluride ticket.  People may come a day early, stay a day later, or participate for only one of the days. Please contact Dell Manners as soon as possible so that she may confirm the number of people wanting reservations at the hotel.  After the number of group has been determined, each person should make their own reservations at the hotel, ricobnb@fone.net or phone 970-967-3000. Bring snacks, lunches, and water for both days. Carpool $14. No dogs.

RSVP: Dell Manners at 970-385-0533  or  dmanners@sisna.com

Easy to difficult.

Trail length and elevation gain depend on trails selected

Wed Mar 23

SRP 9:30 am

 

WW hike: Animas River Trail

See Mar 2.  No RSVP required

Leader: Eric Pahlke  247-1130

Easy

5-7 miles

Flat

Wed  Mar 23

Downhill Skiing at Durango Mountain Resort.  See Mar 2 for details.

 

Fri  Mar 25

Downhill Skiing at Durango Mountain Resort.  See Mar 2 for details.

 

Mon  Mar 28

Downhill Skiing at Durango Mountain Resort.  See Mar 2 for details.

 

Wed  Mar 30

Downhill Skiing at Durango Mountain Resort.  See Mar 2 for details.

 

Wed Mar 30

SRP 9:30 am

 

WW hike: Animas River Trail

See Mar 2.  No RSVP required

Leader: Eric Pahlke  247-1130

Easy

5-7 miles

Flat

Fri Apr 1

SRP 8:30 am

 

Hike Sand Canyon/East Rock Creek loop.  We will start from the lower end of Sand Canyon trailhead and follow the maintained trail, cutting over and returning via the East Rock Creek Trail.  This is a pleasant hike with a variety of Ancestral Puebloan sites in view along the route.  Bring snacks, a lunch and plenty of water.  Trail is busy and is used actively by mountain bikers.

Carpool $8, limit 12.  Dogs on leash please.

RSVP: David Wright 259-5978  or  david.j.wright@att.net

Moderate

6 miles

600’

 

 

Fri Apr 1

Downhill Skiing at Durango Mountain Resort.  See Mar 2 for details.

 

Sat Apr 2

SRP 8:30 am or

Harry’s in Mancos 9:00 am

 

Hike Hovenweep Area and Birthday Party for Harry Hance.  This hike has been moved from Saturday, March 19. Drive to parking lot northeast of Hovenweep Headquarters and hike to 3 sites. Later hike to Cut Throat Castle. Bring snacks, lunch and water. After hiking, return to Howard Drake’s place in Pleasant View to enjoy a birthday dinner party for Harry Hance. Carpool  $11, Limit 12, no dogs

Leader: Howard Drake RSVP Harry Hance 533-9757 or  hhance315@fone.net

Moderate

5 miles

300 ft

 

 

Mon April 4

 

SRP 9:00 am

New Mexico Arches Hike. Hike to Anasazi and Octopus arches in Northern

New Mexico. It is not far to either arch, but there will be some moderate

scrambling and it is all off-trail bushwhacking. We can extend the outing by

exploring the areas surrounding both arches. Carpool $5.  4WD/high clearance convenient.  Limit: 10 people.  Agile dogs OK.

Leader: Lynn Coburn RSVP: 247-0914 harrisoncoburn@gmail.com

Moderate

(with some

scrambling)

4 miles

700’

Wed Apr 6

SRP 9:00 am

 WW hike: Three Springs to Grandview Trail. The hike begins at the end of Confluence Ave behind the Three Springs development.  We will hike to the intersection with Grandview Trail and a little beyond. Dogs on leash only please. RSVP non members only.

Leader: Tom and Lydine Hannula 884-9052    

Easy

3 miles

240”

Fri Apr 8 to

Sun Apr 10

Meet Carl 4 miles So of

Blanding, at

Junction of U.S. 191 and Utah 95

11 am

Car Camping/hiking trip to Butler Wash in Utah Primitive camping, no

facilities or water.  Hiking to lesser known places. Carpool TBD, 4WD necessary.  Limit 10.  Small camp sites with limited parking.  No Dogs.

RSVP: Carl Gutknecht 1-970-249-8266 carlgut@montrose.net

Co-leader Jan Collins for car pool arrangements from Durango

382-0211 jcvmona@yahoo.com

 

 

Moderate

Some

Scrambling,

4-8 miles

each day

appx.600’

 

Sun. April 10

SRP 8:30 am or

Harry’s in Mancos 9:00 am

Bike and Hike along Cannonball Mesa.  Drive to parking lot by McElmo Canyon Road, G Rd., and bike on level to Cannonball Mesa to see Anasazi ruins.  Later drive and hike to see rock initials JBH, possibly of Wild Bill Hitchcock.   Bring snacks, lunch and water. Carpool $10, Limit 12, 4WD/HC preferred, no dogs.

Leader Howard Drake, but RSVP Harry Hance  533-9757 or hhance315@fone.net

Moderate

5 miles

level

 

Mon Apr 11

8:45 am

Hermosa

Conoco

Highway 550 Cleanup

Join other SO! volunteers to help clean up our two sections of Highway 550.

RSVP: Marv Dwarkin 259-9434 mpdworkin@gobrainstorm.net

 

Tue Apr 12

Social 6:30 pm Mtg 7:00 pm

Rec Center

SO! General Meeting

Have you ever been curious about acupuncture?  Terry Leonard, a local practitioner of acupuncture and eastern medicine will show us how oriental medicine can improve our health.

 

Wed Apr 13

9:00 am

Horse Gulch TH

8th Ave & 3rd St.

WW hike:  Horse Gulch.  From the trailhead, the hike begins a gradual and consistent uphill.  The hike follows the old road for 2 miles until the group turns around to return on the same route.  Dogs on lease only please.  RSVP non members only.

Leader:  Eric Pahlke  247-1130     

Easy

4 miles

400’


Thur April 14

 ACP 8:00 am

TC 8:10 am

DMR 8:30 am

 

Jura Knob Hike/Snowshoe. Note time changes. The nature of this trip will depend on weather and snow conditions. We will start at and return to Coal Bank Pass. We will likely start on bare ground. But bring snowshoes for the higher elevation climbing. We will attempt to summit Jura Knob but this could be thwarted by snow or weather. Carpool $4. 4WD not needed. No Dogs. Limit 12.

RSVP Leader: Charles Berglund 247-9747 chasberglund@msn.com

Hard

9 miles

2,000’

Tues April 19

SRP 8:00 am

Aztec Arches Search & Hike: Hike in New Mexico east of Aztec.  We will scramble around on the sandstone looking for arches and other enchanting formations. One destination will be “cogito ergo sum arch”. Carpool $3. 4WD Required. Dogs OK.

 RSVP: Leader Bob Thomson 382-9271. Co-Leader: Travis Ward

Moderate

(with some scrambling)

~ 5 miles

1,000’

Wed Apr 20

9:00 am

 8th Ave & 8th St

 

WW hike:  Fort Lewis Loop Trail. The hike begins at the trailhead at 8th & 8th.  The trail ascends immediately and winds through the woods up to the mesa.  Once on the mesa, the hike loops around the mesa and to The Lion’s Den and back.  Dogs on leash only please. RSVP non-members only.

Leader: Tricia Bayless  799-4535

Easy

4 miles

400’

Wed Apr 27

RC 9:00 am

 

WW hike: Ned Overend Mountain Park.  The trail ascends and descends two separate ridges in the park on this loop hike:  one with an elevation gain of 443 feet, the other slightly less. The trail begins with a climb through ponderosa and juniper offering peek-a-boo views of the city then drops steeply on a mountain bike trail into Slime Gulch. The trail follows along the bottom of the gulch for a brief time, crosses a small bridge and begins a series of switchbacks up another ridge from which there are great views of Perin’s Peak and the Hogsback. We then descend on the same switchbacks into the gulch and take another trail that gently rolls up and down with the contours around the end of the first ridge back to the parking area. This is a heavy mountain bike use area. Dogs are required to be on leashes for the duration of the hike.  Poles are very helpful for the steep descents. RSVP non-members only

Leader:   Barb Hancock  764-4531     

Moderate

4 miles  approx. 800 feet

Wed Apr 27

SO! Board Meeting

 

Thurs Apr 28

9:00 am

Horse Gulch TH 8th Ave. & 3rd St.

Big Canyon to Horse Gulch.  This is a through-hike in the lovely Telegraph Trail system with a stop for lunch at Pautsky Point for a 360º view. Early turn-back OK with car.  Dogs OK.  We Leave most cars at Horse Gulch and begin with short shuttle to Big Canyon.

RSVP: Betsy Petersen 259-5417 betsyp@bresnan.net

Co-leader: Jim O’Brien

Moderate

8 miles

1,500’

Sat April 30 

ACP 9:30 am TC 9:40 am Needles 10:00

Road Ride Three Passes. Training for the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic? Come ride the passes! We’ll start at the Needles Store and ride to the top of Molas Pass and back via Coal Bank. 3-4 hours. Serious ride for strong riders. We’ll regroup on top of each pass or sweep the route on our return. Snow cancels. Vallecito Dam is the alternative if the passes are too cold. Carpool $3. No dogs. 4WD not needed. Limit 12.

RSVP: Leader Debra Van Winegarden 769-7269 debra@vanwinegarden.com

Most Challenging

30 miles

4,000’

Sun May 1

SRP 8:30 am or Harry’s in Mancos 9:00 am

Hike Bowdish Canyon.  Drive as far as possible, then hike to ruins in Bowdish Canyon that is a tributary of McElmo Canyon.   Bring snacks, lunch and water. Carpool 10$, Limit 12, 4WD/HC preferred, dogs OK.

Leader: Howard Drake, but RSVP Harry Hance 533-9757 or hhance315@fone.net

Moderate

6 miles

600’

 

Wed May 4

RC 8:30 am

 

WW hike:  Animas City Mountain. Located within the city limits on the north end of town, this trail has a consistent uphill from the trailhead along the outside edge of the mountain to the promontory at the top.  Trail is rocky and poles may be helpful.  Great views of Durango and the Animas Valley along the way and at the top.  The trip will either return on the same trail or by an interior trail with approximately the same return distance. Dogs on short leash only please. RSVP non-members only.

Leaders: Tom and Lydine Hannula  884-9052

Moderate

5 miles

1,000’

Thur May 5

SRP 7:00 am

NM Badlands Hike: One Way hike through Lybrook, NM badlands. We will hike one way through some rarely visited New Mexico badlands. Expect no trails, some unique landforms, a few hoodoos, some scrambling, and no hurry. Drive time is about 2 hours each way. No dogs. Carpool $12. Limit 15.

RSVP: Leader Travis Ward  247-1310

Hard

6 miles

 1,000’

Fri May 6

 

RC 9:00 am

TH 9:30 am

SO! Ladies hike:  Lower Hermosa Trail.  This will be an easy hike.  From the trailhead, the well defined trail remains at approximately the same elevation with some ups and downs and crosses several side streams that are typically dry or flowing slightly.  This is an in-and-out trail.  The group will hike together as far as agreed at a relaxed pace; early turn back with a partner okay. Carpool $2, Dogs on leashes only.

RSVP:  Marylee Anderson  385-4300 anderson.marylee@gmail.com 

 

Moderate

4 miles

(see notes)

500’ gain

Sat May 7

SRP 8:30 am or

Harry’s in Mancos 9:00 am

Hike to Pedro Point.  Drive to Howard’s in Pleasant View, then drive 20 miles on paved road to dirt road turn-off for Pedro Point.  There are Anasazi ruins at the end of the dirt road.  After visiting them, hike into McLean Canyon to see the Dead Man site and round towers.   Bring snacks, lunch and water. Tea at Howard’s after the hikes. Carpool 10$, Limit 12, 4WD/HC preferred, dogs OK.

Leader: Howard Drake, but RSVP Harry Hance 533-9757 or hhance315@fone.net

Moderate

4 miles

600 ft.

 

Tue May 10

Social 6:30 pm Mtg 7:00 pm

FLC (Center for SW Studies)

SO! General Meeting

Meeting at Lyceum at center of Southwest Studies, FLC. Come and explore “Treasures Unveiled" in the Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College. Artifacts from the Four Corners area will be on display. Also the new exhibit, “Frontier Blues", will be on display as part of the Centennial Celebration of Fort Lewis. Meet at the Center of Southwest Studies on the Fort Lewis Campus at 6:30 to start with refreshments.

 

Tue May 10

9:00 am ACP

9:25 AM Havilland Lake

parking lot

Hike to Tacoma Power Plant. We will hike from Havilland Lake down to the Animas River and the Tacoma Hydroelectric Power Plant. Excel Energy will give a tour of this 100+ year-old plant that uses water diverted from Cascade Creek to generate up to 4 MW of power. It is like a functioning museum. After the tour and lunch, hike back up to the parking lot. No dogs. Carpool $3

RSVP: Clark Lagow 259-9337 clagow@rmi.net

Moderate

4 miles

1,200 ft.

(back up)

 

Wed May 11

SRP 8:30 am

 

 

WW hike:  Carbon Junction Trail.  Starting with a series of switchbacks to the top of the mesa for about a half-mile.  In another mile the trail reaches a junction with the South Rim trail.  At that junction, we will take a right fork heading southeast on South Rim trail for about 2 miles, then right again at the junction with Big Canyon trail for 1.1 miles until it drops out on a frontage road parallel to highway 160 and a 0.5 mile walk back to the trailhead parking area.

Dogs on leash only please. RSVP non members only.

Leader: Tom and Lydine Hannula 844-9052     

Moderate

5 miles

1,000’

Fri May 13

 

Schneider Park at Ninth St. Bridge on West side of river

9:00 am

Tour de Test Track (aka Overend Mountain Park). Explore Durango’s backyard.  We’ll do a big loop including an ascent of the Hogback.  All trail, but some of it, particularly on the Hogback, is very steep and can be loose and slithery.  Meet at Schneider Park (Ninth Street Bridge on the west side of the river) at 9:00.  We’ll start from there so there will be no carpooling.   

Dogs on leash only

Leader: Lynn Coburn RSVP: 247-0914 harrisoncoburn@gmail.com

Moderate

6-8 miles

1,500’

Sun May 15

SRP 8:30 am or

Harry’s in Mancos 9:00 am

Hike Ruin Canyon.  Drive from Howard’s in Pleasant View 15 miles on paved road to turn-off for Ruin Canyon.  Cactus and mariposa lilies should be in full bloom. There is a good trail into the canyon, but some bushwhacking to the ruins may be necessary.  BRING BUG REPELLENT.   Bring snacks, lunch and water. Tea at Howard’s after the hike. Carpool $11, limit 12, dogs OK.

Leader: Howard Drake, but RSVP Harry Hance 533-9757 or hhance315@fone.net

Moderate

6 miles

600’

 

Mon May 16

ACP 9:00 am

TC 9:10 am

Forebay Lake Hike: We will hike from Haviland Lake across Elbert Creek and follow the old road to Forebay Lake.  Then we will circle the lake and climb the bluff on the southeast side of the lake for views down into the Animas Valley and Tacoma power plant. Car Pool $3. Dogs OK. Limit 20.

RSVP: Leaders Rich & Betsey Butler 403-3185 ejbutler12@gmail.com

Easy

~ 4 miles

250’

Wed May 18

8:30 am

3rd St & 8th Ave.

Horse Gulch trailhead

 

WW hike:  Raider Ridge. This trail ascends steeply but then follows the ridgeline with minimal elevation gain or loss.  Views are across the Fort Lewis College mesa and beyond.  The return is either back on the same trail or may descend mid-way along the ridge and down to the Horse Gulch road for the return to the trailhead.  Dogs on leash only please. RSVP non-members only.

Leader:  David Wright    259-5978

Moderate

5 miles

1,100’ gain

Wed May 18

5:00 pm

Mama’s Boy

Restaurant

Trip Leaders Meeting. The Outings Committee is planning to hold a [pizza] meeting at Mama's Boy restaurant on North Main starting at 5:00 PM for current Trip Leaders to get feedback from Trip Leaders and to review SO! guidelines. More details will follow. Carpool $0. No Dogs. 4WD Not Needed.

RSVP Your Outings Committee Coordinator.

Easy

0 miles

0 elev

Fri May 20

ACP 9:00 am

TC 9:10 am

DMR 9:25 am

Purgatory Flats to the Animas River. We will hike down to the Animas River Footbridge and have lunch.  Carpool $3.

RSVP: Bill Cagle 385-4566 or cagle81301@yahoo.com

Moderate

8 miles

1200’

Sun May 22

ACP 8:30 am

Trail head on CR250: 9:15 am

 

Hike Haflin Creek to Missionary Ridge. This trail starts with a series of switchbacks that allow nice views of the Animas Valley.  About ½ mile into the hike, you begin to see the burned ponderosa from the fires but also nice sweeping views.  After a mile the switchbacks level out until they resume again at about 3 miles, continuing to where the trail meets up with Missionary Ridge ; returning along the same route.  Early turn-backs okay with a partner.  Parking at trailhead very limited; please carpool.  Carpool $1, Dogs OK on leash or voice control. 

RSVP: Nancy Mead 259-5978  nancy.a.mead@att.net

Hard

7.6 miles

2,880'

 

Wed May 25

SRP 8:30 am

Or 8:45 am at parking lot off Lightner Creek Rd

 

 

WW hike:  No Name Trail (DOW). Accessed from the DOW road leading off Lightner Creek Rd. just west of town.  Meet at the parking lot off Lightner Creek Rd. and caravan to the T. H.  Hiking west through DOW land and beneath Barnroof Pt. on a gentle grade, then a very short, steeper grade to a ridge and then head north into the National Forest and eventually hike along Deep Creek briefly before returning.  This is a little traveled and un-named trail with gradual elevation gains (except for that short hike to the ridge) and has views of the La Plata Mountains and Barnroof Pt. Dogs on lease required on DOW land. RSVP non-members only.

Leader: Sharron Chambers 259-9271 lightnerload@earthlink.net

Easy

4 miles

500’ gain

Wed May 25

SO! Outings Committee Meeting

 

Fri. May 27

ACP 8:00 am

TC 8:10 am.

Hike Goulding Creek Trail to Jones Creek Trail (a through hike). We’ll hike the switchbacks up Goulding Creek (most of the elevation gain), then follow the Ridge south on the Pinkerton Flagstaff Trail, descending on the Jones Creek Trail to Hermosa Creek. Carpool $3.

RSVP: Bill Cagle 385-4566 or cagle81301@yahoo.com

Hard

10 miles

2200’

Mon May 30

SRP 8:30 am

Climb Diorite Peak from Tomahawk Basin. The length of this climb will depend on snow conditions. The climb starts at a point where our 4WD vehicles decide to stop driving up Tomahawk Basin Rd. There will be talus to cross and route finding as the trail peters out at some point. The goal is Diorite Peak at 12, 761. Carpool $5. 4WD Required. No Dogs. Limit 12.

 RSVP: Rich Butler 403-3185 rbbutler54@gmail.com

Most Challenging

6.5 miles

+3,100’


Wed Jun 1

8:30 am

3rd & 8th Street Horse Gulch Trailhead

 

WW hike:  Telegraph to Patusky Point. The trail begins by following the old Horse Gulch road, now closed to traffic, and links another trail that goes through a meadow before connecting with the Telegraph Hill where the trail then ascends to Patusky Point.  The trail is well marked and most elevation gain is from the start of the trail up Telegraph Hill. Dogs ok. RSVP non-members only

Leader: Marcia Hull  259-9737 

Moderate

6 miles

1000’

Fri. Jun 24

Fri. Jun 3

ACP 8:00 am

TC 8:10 am

DMR 8:25 am

Cascade to Coal Bank. Moved to June 24. Training hike. Hike to Engineer Plateau via Engineer Mtn. Trail from FS work center near Cascade and then down to Coal Bank on Pass Trail.  Good views from plateau. Carpool $5

RSVP: Bill Cagle 385-4566 or cagle81301@yahoo.com

Hard

8 miles

2,700’

Wed Jun 8

RC  8:30 am

 

 

WW hike:  Colorado Trail to Gudy’s Rest. From the upper trailhead, the hike begins with a gradual but steady uphill and follows along the creek from above through the canyon.  The trail then descends slightly arriving at a bridge after 1.5 miles.  Once at the bridge, there are a series of reasonable, comfortable switchbacks for approximately 1.4 miles to Gudy’s Rest.  The return is along the same route.  Dogs on leash only please. RSVP non-members only

Leader: Martha Wackley  247-0967    

Moderate

5 miles

1,000’

Fri. Jun 10

ACP 8:00 am

TC 8:10 am

DMR 8:25 am

Explore/Bushwack in the Upper Hermosa Drainage  Destination TBD.  Most of this hike will be off regular trails.  Carpool $6  4WD nice

RSVP:  Bill Cagle 385-4566 or cagle81301@yahoo.com 

Hard

11 miles

2,500’ to

3000’

Fri Jun 10

 

RC 8:00 am

 

 

SO! Ladies hike:  Vallecito Creek Trail: This is a picturesque, well defined- trail that rises and falls along the creek through the canyon and into the wilderness. There is one-water crossing to the first bridge and two more to the second bridge. The destination is the second bridge, but the group may turn around earlier, depending upon water levels or desire. Please plan to have lunch somewhere along the trail.  Early turn back with a partner is okay.  Bring water shoes for those interested in doing the creek crossings. Carpool $4, No dogs.

RSVP: Susan Beck-Brown 375-0948  sbeckbrown@yahoo.com

 

Moderate-to-Hard, depending on distance.

11 miles 1,000’ gain

Sun Jun 12

SRP 7:00 am

Climb Parrot & Madden Peaks in the La Platas. We will start on an old horse trail that climbs out of La Plata Canyon. Then we bushwack to the ridge above and head north to Parrot Peak (11,857’). We continue north off Parrot to Madden Peak (11,972) then turn south back to the Parrot/Madden saddle.  From here we shoe-ski/slide down (~2,000’) to an old logging road which returns to the cars. Car Pool $2. Limit 14. Dogs OK.

RSVP: Bob Thompson 382-9271

Most Challenging

~7 miles

3,500’

Mon Jun 13

ACP 9:00 am TC 9:10 am

DMR 9:30 am

Hike “Larkspur Lane”. An annual favorite named by John Montle in 2001 for the larkspur and other flowers carpeting the meadows. We follow the well-established lower Engineer Mtn. Trail part way up and back through woods and meadows with great views. Lunch with a view. Early turn-backs OK. Dogs OK. Carpool $4

RSVP: Clark Lagow 259-9337 clagow@rmi.net

Moderate

(or Easy if

turn back

early)

6 miles

1850’

Tue Jun 14

5:30 p.m. Social

7:00 pm Dinner   Edgemont Ranch Picnic Area (6 miles out Florida Rd from 15th and Main, turn right across from the big pine cone)

SO! General Meeting and Picnic

This will be a combination potluck and BBQ.  The club will provide burgers, brats, buns and condiments.  If you would like something to drink other than coffee, iced tea or lemonade, you may bring it for yourself.

Bring your own table service and a dish for eight with a serving utensil.


A-F   Salads and side dishes      G-M    Appetizers and chips

N-R    Salads and side dishes     S-Z   Desserts


In addition to your potluck dish, please bring non-perishable food donations for the Durango Food Bank.

A notice will be sent out for RSVP’s as the date nears.

Wed Jun 15

RC  8:15 am

 

WW hike:  Missionary Ridge to Radio Towers. This is an “in and out” hike that begins in the Durango Hills area, accessed from CR240. Hike is up an old woods road to trail up to the towers.  Dogs OK. RSVP non-members only

Leader: Warren Levingston  769-1437 

Moderate

6 miles

1,100’

Sat. Jun 18

ACP 8:00 am

Hike Spud Lake Trail.  Carpool from Animas Park to limited parking space near trailhead to Spud Lake.  This hike passes through aspen and near several interesting beaver ponds, some of which are still active. Twilight Peaks and Engineer Mountain are visible from the trail.  We will hike to the lake and take a short break there.  After a break, a walk around the lake is optional.  The same trail will be taken back to the trailhead.  Also optional is a short hike south to Scout Lake from the trailhead.  Bring snacks, lunch and water. Carpool $4, limit 12, dogs OK.

RSVP: Bob Powell   385-8949  or  RobertLPowell@durango.net.

Coleader: David Wright.

Easy

3 miles

440’

 

 

Sun Jun19

ACP 7:00 am

TC 7:10 am

DMR 7:30 am

 Hike to Lower Twilight Basin Lake. This is an exploratory hike with route finding involved across steep, very difficult terrain. We will start on Lower Old Lime Creek Rd where the road turns sharply north. We first head south down near to where Twilight and Lime Creeks join. We will cross the creek climb to 11,500’ on the ridge heading northeast and finally contour over to the lake (fishing is good). The upper lake is an additional mile and +600’ elevation gain. Carpool $6. Dogs OK. Limit 10.

RSVP: Leader Bob Thompson 382-9271

Most Challenging

~8 miles

`3,500”

Tues Jun 21

ACP 8:00 am TC 8:10 am

DMR 8:30 am

Annual Spud Mtn. Climb & Birthday Celebration. Enjoy a really fun hike/climb up a local landmark. No trail. Some steepness, rock scrambling and exposure involved. Group must stay together. Option to wait at base of rocky peak to avoid rock scrambling but you’ll miss the Dynamite Views! Help John and Connie celebrate their birthdays (10 years apart, … which is which?) Limit: 10. Dogs OK but not for the final rock scramble. Carpool $4

RSVP: John Montle 769-6108 mntnlvr@frontier.net Co-Leader: Connie

Webbe

Hard

3 miles

1,840’

Wed Jun 22

RC 8:15 am

 

WW hike:  Log Chutes trail. This trail system is in the Junction Creek area.  We will follow the shorter of the two loops on an old road.  The trail ascends and then generally levels out with some up and down along the way, eventually looping back to the trailhead. Dogs OK.   RSVP non-members only.

Leader:  Chris Wiehage/Barb Hancock    259-0882

Moderate

4.6 miles

880’

Fri. Jun 24

ACP 8:00 am

TC 8:10 am

DMR 8:25 am

Cascade to Coal Bank. Moved from June 3. Training hike. Hike to Engineer Plateau via Engineer Mtn. Trail from FS work center near Cascade and then down to Coal Bank on Pass Trail.  Good views from plateau. Carpool $5

RSVP: Bill Cagle 385-4566 or cagle81301@yahoo.com

Hard

8 miles

2,700’

Wed Jun 29

RC 8:30 am

Please carpool!

TH parking at a premium

 

WW hike:  Pioneer Trail Loop around Edgemont Highlands. Hike from parking lot on CR 240 up the west side of Edgemont Highlands, across the top, down the Canyon Trail and back through EH to the trailhead.  Lots of good views and art installations.  Turnarounds on the Pioneer Trail OK.  Dogs on leash only please. RSVP non-members only.

Leaders: David Wright,  Kristine Johnson and Jay Culver 259-5978 or 946-9560

Moderate

5-6 miles

700’ gain

 

Hard Knocks 100/9

9 days in July

July 9-13

And

July 21-24

COMING IN JULY

2011 Best of Hardrock 100 in 9 days from John Martin.  Sometimes there’s a challenge that cannot be ignored.  Ever since I heard of the Hardrock 100 Ultra-Marathon race in Silverton, I wondered how many day hikes it would take to hike the whole course.  The racers cover 100 miles and 33,000 feet of elevation gain in less than 48 hours.  The fastest time is 24 hours!!  The route is some of the most beautiful mountain trails between Silverton, Ouray, Telluride, Lake City and back to Silverton. My first estimate was that it would take a year of club hikes. Maybe that explains why they call it the toughest ultra-marathon in the country!! So here’s the question:  What could the hikers in Seniors Outdoors actually do most of it in?  Will Rietveld, Travis Ward and I came up with a logistically possible scenario of breaking it up into nine day-hikes. Only four hikes would have over 3000’ of elevation gain.  The route would cover about 85 miles of trails and would have 27,000’ of elevation gain, eliminating unnecessary jeep road sections. Two segments of 5 and 4 days with a 7-day break in between would be about right to do it in style.  There will be a limit of about 12-15 campers per day from a practical standpoint.  This will be a self-supported trip like the Colorado Trail trips, where rotating drivers would move the cars and campsite each day.  We would start on Saturday at 8 AM going east, as the leader of the race is expected to arrive from the west.  The route is counter-clockwise. The actual Hardrock 100 race is 100mi/33,000’ from Fri., July 8, 2011 at 6 am to Sunday, July 10 at 6 am.

RSVP: John Martin 247-2581 or jmartin@mydurango.net

Don’t ask, but if you do, hard to most challenging

 

27,000 ft.

85 miles

The outings Committee members who put together this Outing Schedule are: Rich Butler, Olin Kane, Clark Lagow, Sherry Suenram,

Bob Powell and Dorothy Bregar. They appreciate your suggestions, ideas, willingness to help with and lead outings, enthusiasm while

on outings, and natural leadership skills that show up when needed.