Kayakers enjoy the San Juan River, as the early Kayaking season has arrived.

A Kayaker enjoys the Davy Wave on the San Juan River

Evening storms approach as Kayakers float the San Juan River

Cold in The San Juan

San Juan River Kayak archived article

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.

This Saturday, February 9th is the Second Annual Snowman Stomp Snowshoe Romp. For fast snowshoers, slow snowshoers, kids and families – this is one of the many activities over the Winterfest weekend in Pagosa Springs.

Now, dust off your snowshoes, grab a hat and meet your new friends at the Pagosa Springs Golf Club for cheers of encouragement. The kids race begins at 11:00 am and is followed by the adult race (families welcome) at 11:15 am.

For the fearless, we are partnering with the Pagosa Springs Nordic Club for a combined event. Nordic racers can participate in the 5K race at 10:00 am and then the snowshoe race at 11:15 am.

Register before or day of (day of registration begins at 10:00 am). Cost is $5 per person. Pre-register here or at the Chamber of Commerce by February 5 to be guaranteed a goodie bag. Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd race finishers.

If you don’t have snowshoes don’t worry. Summit Ski & Sports (970.264.2457) are offering a day of $10 shoe rental.

Got questions or want to volunteer? Contact Stacy at 970.946.5001. We can’t wait to see you there!

The Details:

• Don’t get tangled in the idea that you have to be fast to have fun … it really is about being outside and we will cheer first to last! We can’t wait to see you there!
• Snowshoe race is at the Pagosa Springs Golf Club.
• Day of registration begins at 10:00 am.
• A release and liability form will be signed on race day – children under the age of 18 need a parental signature.
• Cost is $5 per person; pre-register by February 5 to be guaranteed a goodie bag.
• Prizes awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd race finishers.
• Summit Ski & Sports (970.264.2457) is offering $10 snowshoe rentals.
• Got questions or want to volunteer? Contact Stacy at 970.946.5001 or send an email to info@stepoutdoorscolorado.com.
• And, one last thing. Donations are being accepted for the Archuleta County Relay for Life. We’ve added a $25 key on-line which includes registration for one and a $20 donation. Support our team as we support finding a cure for cancer. Thank you.

• Check all your gear before you go – from the hat on your head to the shoes on your feet
• Confirm that you have packed the 10 Essentials
• Tighten your hiking poles – you don’t want any slipping
• Examine for any cracks in your snowshoe bindings
• Double check the weather and your route
• Pack an extra shirt, socks and pants in your vehicle
• Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back and have a plan if you do not arrive on time
• Take breaks to drink water and eat something
• Change clothing as necessary to avoid getting chilled

About Step Outdoors
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. In the winter, we offer snowshoe hikes appropriate for beginners and for those with a tad more experience. 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.