Quietly, aspen trees (members of the Willow family) gently sway in the cooling winds of the winter months. As warmer temperatures begin to warm the branches, the male and female flowers emerge (on their own separate trees) with a cotton-like dangle (catkins) from the smallest limbs. These puffs of catkins are home to tiny seeds tipped with soft, white hairs and are dispersed with the upcoming winds. This is a sure signal that spring will soon transition to summer and the bright green of the aspen leaves will slowly stretch and form into the clattering coin sound so many are accustomed.

An unusual tree, you won’t see just one. Stands tend to be of the same age and development having matured from shoots of the same root system. Not a long living species, aspen trees begin to die, mostly from the inside out, at about 80 years old.

These slender, tall trees have a sweet inner bark that is edible in the spring and in earlier days was scraped off in long strings and eaten raw. The bitter leaf buds and young catkins are edible and rich in Vitamin C.

Days are passing one by one and the hillsides are shimmering in silver. Days from now little specs of fluorescent green will show through and then transition to a darker green that hides the trunks of this clump of trees. As you walk through the stand look for the signs of animal habitat and then take a short rest of your own beneath the branches to touch and feel and observe from the stand of aspen.

About Step Outdoors, LLC
Step Outdoors wants you to go outside and we lead individually inspired one foot in front of the other adventure pursuits to get you there. In the summer, we will tailor a first time overnight backpack or a more challenging multi-day hiking adventure just for you. Perfect for mothers and daughters, couples, families, or a group of friends, we provide a 100% guarantee of fun.

Check out our blog at http://stepoutdoorscolorado.com/blog/. Or send us an email at info@stepoutdoorscolorado.com.

Yielding on the trail is much like yielding when driving a vehicle. Slow down and be prepared to stop. Proceed only when you can do so safely.

There is etiquette with regard to shared trail usage. The question being, when on a trail who yields? Essentially, it comes down to the faster yield to the slower. Which means (take a gander at the photo above) …

• Hikers/walkers headed downhill yield to hikers/walkers headed uphill
• Bikers yield to hikers/walkers
• Bikers yield to horse riders
• Everyone yields to horse riders

When encountering horse riders it is best to get off the trail on the downhill side. You will look smaller to a horse and less dangerous. Talk to the horse rider in a quiet voice; they will provide you additional instruction if necessary. And, stand quietly with no abrupt movement while the horse and rider pass.

Although hikers/walkers have the right of way; it is often less hazardous to let a biker pass. Say a quick “Howdy” and if you are stepping off the trail a bicycle rider will often take that as a sign to pass quickly.

And, etiquette says that groups should yield to a single hiker or a pair of hikers. But, the reality is that it is more difficult for a group to get off the trail (and probably more damaging) therefore it is agreeable to let the group have the right of way.

Quick conversation is all that is necessary to ensure the safety and quality experience of all trail users. Your keeping a smile and being aware to yield will make for a better day of hiking.

About Step Outdoors, LLC

Step Outdoors wants you to go outside and we lead individually inspired one foot in front of the other adventure pursuits to get you there. We tailor a first time overnight backpack or a more challenging multi-day hiking adventure just for you. Perfect for mothers and daughters, couples, families, or a group of friends, we provide a 100% guarantee of fun.

Check out our blog at http://stepoutdoorscolorado.com/blog/. Or send us an email at info@stepoutdoorscolorado.com.

Riding near the Continental Divide

For a pure Western adventure, nothing can beat roaming the Colorado Mountains on horseback. Meander through miles of panoramic vistas and lush aspen forests while enjoying the raw splendor of the Colorado Rockies in the summer. Relax in the peace of the gentle winds, wildflowers and awe-inspiring views.

Knowledgeable guides help complete the journey by making sure you don’t miss points of interest or wildlife. Pagosa Springs offers a variety of guided options. Some outfitters provide 1-2 hour trips in town, whereas others take groups into the National Forest for ½ day and overnight trips for a wider variety of views and terrain. Certain outfitters also specialize in pack trips during the hunting season.

One of Pagosa Springs’ favorite horseback riding companies is Majestic Outfitters. As owner Larry Melton says, “Riding with Majestic is like traveling through a time tunnel”.  Experience the San Juan Mountains as it was explored 100 years ago.  Known for their friendly horses, breathtaking vistas and unique trip locations, Majestic offers a 2-hour ride, half day ride, and a variety of overnight majestic pack trips.

• The 2-Hour Ride, which is just right for beginners, consists of gently sloping terrain, beautiful views that overlook Pagosa Springs, and a high potential for wildlife viewing.
• The Half Day ride, Above and Beyond, takes people higher into the backcountry and also provides a break at Larry’s Lunch Room, a fabulous overlook of the Majestic Valley of the San Juans.The Majestic Pack Trips treks to the Continental Divide with panoramic mountain views, crystal-clear alpine lakes and plenty of wilderness to explore. Enjoy wildlife viewing, panning for gold, cooking outdoors with an experienced wrangler, and sleeping in the Rockies. All equipment and tents are included. Majestic pack trips offer the adventurous vacationer a 3 day minimum to 7 day outing in nature. However, if you are a family with young children, they also have a location for an overnight camping trip.Majestic raises their horses by hand”]Majestic Outfitters is owner-operated and has been servicing the outfitting and tourism business for more than 20 years and has owned Majestic for the past three years. Their horses are hand-raised in the high country…which means they not only handle rocky mountain terrain well, but their sweet dispositions are great for kids and adults alike. They cater to private groups from small to large, making every trip personal, fun and memorable. For more details contact them at 970-264-7669 or visit their website at: http://www.majestic-outfitters.com.
  

  Larry's Lunch Room

The Pagosa Springs has many outfitters that offer horseback rides, pack trips, and hunting and fishing trips.  Horses are allowed anywhere on National Forests, unless posted otherwise.

VIEW CRAZY HORSE TRAIL RIDE VIDEO

You may take horses into designated wilderness areas; but the forest service recommends using low impact camping and horse tethering methods.  Please do not tie horses to trees for long periods; use hobbles or high-lines instead. Avoid wet, muddy trails to minimize damage from horse traffic. Certain trails and trailheads may not be well-suited to horse use or trailer parking. Stop by the Forest Service Office at 180 Pagosa Street in downtown Pagosa Springs for more information on recommended trails and regulations.