Weekend Hike Near Durango, Pagosa, SW CO?

[Horn chaser]

They have some sections of track out due to flooding/slides.


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Well shoot I missed that update on their facebook page.

[ladrones]

Well shoot I missed that update on their facebook page.

Oh they are operating. They are just running a modified schedule.



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[Michael]

My wife needs a meniscus repair. She keeps putting the repair off. I wish she would go ahead it get it over with because she cannot hardly do any type of walking/hiking due to the pain from the tear.



Prayers for your wife's procedure.

She has had ACL and multiple meniscus repairs as well as injections to try to extend the use of the knee. On Tuesday they are going to do a full knee replacement. Thanks for keeping her in your prayers. Hopefully she'll be able to enjoy some hikes with me in the future!

We woke up yesterday morning ready to just point home, but she suggested we find a place for me to do a day hike and then maybe camp overnight. We initially drove up toward Indian Mtn., thinking we could just drive all the way up and camp at 10k'. We made it to about 8500 and the "road" became pretty narrow with jagged rocks and decided it might be risky to take my LWB diesel up the trail. We considered camping there and then I could hike the 4.4 miles up to the top, but I was a little worried about leaving my wife by herself in a wilderness campsite for several hours, so we opted for plan B.

I drove back to a campground that I had done a solo overnighter last year above Lemon Dam at the "Florida Transfer." It is right on the Florida River (in fact it's the same campsite where I got my drone stuck in the tree last year if you recall that video) and has the "amenities" of a privative campground (picnic table), along with other sites fairly close in the event of problems.





I set up camp and we rested for a bit before I decided to hike from camp up the Burnt Timber Trail (the trailhead was about a 1/4 mile from our spot.)

I didn't want to be gone more than a few hours, so I hiked 2.8 miles in to an elevation of 10,200' and then headed back down.

Although I got easily winded (especially early) from the altitude, I felt great all the way up and made short work of the trip down with no issues!









I was starving when I got back to camp (a good sign!) and we cooked up some home-dehydrated seafood chowder in the Jetboil, then chatted a bit before settling down for the night under the tarp.



We woke up early this morning and are making the long journey home.


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[Mary]

Long sleeves....ugh...please bring that weather back with you guys!!!

Drive safe!

[ladrones]

That’s going to be very colorful come fall. Beautiful country.


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[ladrones]

Did y'all stay at that new santa ana casino hotel in Bernalillo?

[7sdad]

I just watched your video on FB and have a question about your tarp. I've never used one and was wondering what you do during one of the hellacious thunder storms? The wind can get pretty bad at high altitudes during those storms.

[Michael]

Did y'all stay at that new santa ana casino hotel in Bernalillo?

Yes. We didn't get there until 1 am and were gone by 8, so we didn't get to see much of it. The rooms were nice, though.

I just watched your video on FB and have a question about your tarp. I've never used one and was wondering what you do during one of the hellacious thunder storms? The wind can get pretty bad at high altitudes during those storms.

Thanks for watching. Here's the video referenced...
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEEbwMG7Ktk"]Elk Prep Hike & Camp + Home Dehydrated Chowder (Sony RX100 vi) - YouTube[/ame]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEEbwMG7Ktk

Honestly, I've never experienced a big storm while tarp camping. I was actually hoping to get a bit of a storm while we were there to test it a bit.

That said, there are pitches that should withstand at least anything a tent could, and likely more. The plow pitch probably wouldn't be the best bet, although a lower profile pitch and lowering the top would work for moderate wind/rain. Site selection and wind/rain direction are pretty important when setting up, of course. I'm definitely not an expert (which is why I'm trying to test as often as I can!) but I've watched quite a few videos of various setups for storm conditions on YT. I'll let you know how that works in the real world if we encounter adverse conditions!

[ladrones]

I was curious about the hotel. I have been meaning to stop in there and check it out.

Next time yall are up we will get some supper on the patio of the new brewery that just opened up near that hotel.

It just opened yesterday. These are stock photos. I will try it out for the first time in a few days.







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[Michael]

I was curious about the hotel. I have been meaning to stop in there and check it out.

Next time yall are up we will get some supper on the patio of the new brewery that just opened up near that hotel.

It just opened yesterday. These are stock photos. I will try it out for the first time in a few days.







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We'll make a point if it!


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[Chad C]

Yes. We didn't get there until 1 am and were gone by 8, so we didn't get to see much of it. The rooms were nice, though.


Thanks for watching. Here's the video referenced...
Elk Prep Hike & Camp + Home Dehydrated Chowder (Sony RX100 vi) - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEEbwMG7Ktk

Honestly, I've never experienced a big storm while tarp camping. I was actually hoping to get a bit of a storm while we were there to test it a bit.

That said, there are pitches that should withstand at least anything a tent could, and likely more. The plow pitch probably wouldn't be the best bet, although a lower profile pitch and lowering the top would work for moderate wind/rain. Site selection and wind/rain direction are pretty important when setting up, of course. I'm definitely not an expert (which is why I'm trying to test as often as I can!) but I've watched quite a few videos of various setups for storm conditions on YT. I'll let you know how that works in the real world if we encounter adverse conditions!

You're looking mighty distinguished Mike! Thanks for sharing, this has been fun to follow.

[Michael]

Thanks...I think!


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[ladrones]

I want to add a tarp to my pack in case I have to hole up in a storm.
We got this last evening.



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[Michael]

I want to add a tarp to my pack in case I have to hole up in a storm.
We got this last evening.



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I've been tempted to get the Kifaru Sheep Tarp (or other smaller, lightweight tarp) to keep in my day pack for shade or shelter when away from camp.


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[Brute Killer]

I've been in lightning and hail at 10,000 feet. It was not the most fun time in my life.