top of page

SOUTH SAN JUANS

A Local's Trail Guide to the

SOUTHERN

SAN JUAN

MOUNTAINS

Surrounding Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Explore

Hike/Run	Mtn Bike
Nordic Ski	Fat Bike

Gallery

Gallery

How Unusual is a Bare-Ground Winter in Pagosa Springs?

Predicting the Peak: Spring Runoff 2024!

Invitation to my Water Talk: 6 PM on October 5th at the Ruby Sisson Library

A Tribute to John Fielder (1950 - 2023)

Predicting the Peak: Spring Runoff 2023

Winning Winter: 2019 vs 2023

Blog

Black and white hoar frost experiment. Seen during my morning skate ski!
.
.
.
#skateskiing #frost #nordicstyle

Black and white hoar frost experiment. Seen during my morning skate ski!
.
.
.
#skateskiing #frost #nordicstyle

40 percent chance of snow but the snow only improved the scenery. Maybe my last trail run of the season.
.
.
.
#seenonmyrun #wildernesstherapy #snowflakes

40 percent chance of snow but the snow only improved the scenery. Maybe my last trail run of the season.
.
.
.
#seenonmyrun #wildernesstherapy #snowflakes

My first attempt at photographing the aurora! I missed the most vivid display earlier in the evening, but I got to see a brief resurgence as the elk bugled in the valley below. Such a memorable experience! 10/10/24.

My first attempt at photographing the aurora! I missed the most vivid display earlier in the evening, but I got to see a brief resurgence as the elk bugled in the valley below. Such a memorable experience! 10/10/24.

Last stand? The aspens are a week ahead of last year. Grateful that I got a chance to see the show! Fall is definitely my favorite...cool crisp mornings, blue skies, and every hillside looks like a painting!
.
.
.
#wildernesstherapy #fallorado

Last stand? The aspens are a week ahead of last year. Grateful that I got a chance to see the show! Fall is definitely my favorite...cool crisp mornings, blue skies, and every hillside looks like a painting!
.
.
.
#wildernesstherapy #fallorado

Photos from a fall family camping excursion in our beautiful backyard!
.
.
.
#fallorado #family

Photos from a fall family camping excursion in our beautiful backyard!
.
.
.
#fallorado #family

1st snowy scene of the season!
.
.
.
#seenonmyrun #wildernesstherapy #adventure

1st snowy scene of the season!
.
.
.
#seenonmyrun #wildernesstherapy #adventure

One of the best parts of teaching is reconnecting with past students! Ten years later, this guy is married, climbing the career ladder, and moving to an exciting location! So proud of @dreadafed898 and thrilled we got to spend some time negotiating cliffs en route to a beautiful ridgeline. Passed a few aspen that were changing already!
.
.
.
#wildernesstherapy #adventure

One of the best parts of teaching is reconnecting with past students! Ten years later, this guy is married, climbing the career ladder, and moving to an exciting location! So proud of @dreadafed898 and thrilled we got to spend some time negotiating cliffs en route to a beautiful ridgeline. Passed a few aspen that were changing already!
.
.
.
#wildernesstherapy #adventure

I finally got around to posting some of my favorite shots from one of the most incredible trail runs that I've ever encountered! An 18-mile loop that climbs through lush forests, past waterfalls and alpine lakes and culminates with an epic ridgeline view of glaciated peaks. We were hoping to get a glimpse of Mt. Olympus during our backpack trip, it was obscured by clouds. Fortunately I had time to squeeze in a run before we returned home.
.
.
.
#seenonmyrun #choosemountains #grateful #wildernesstherapy

I finally got around to posting some of my favorite shots from one of the most incredible trail runs that I've ever encountered! An 18-mile loop that climbs through lush forests, past waterfalls and alpine lakes and culminates with an epic ridgeline view of glaciated peaks. We were hoping to get a glimpse of Mt. Olympus during our backpack trip, it was obscured by clouds. Fortunately I had time to squeeze in a run before we returned home.
.
.
.
#seenonmyrun #choosemountains #grateful #wildernesstherapy

The Olympic Range is steep and switchbacks are scarce! We'd climb 3000-4000 feet and crest a treeless pass and then drop down 3000 feet to the lush forest again. And we repeated that scenario over 5 days and 37 miles. In all, we climbed 16,000 feet which is equivalent to hiking into and out of the Grand Canyon 3x! My boys are so strong and resilient! The boys thoroughly enjoyed exploring a different type of forest!
.
.
.
#grateful #wildernesstherapy #choosemountains
#fatherandson

The Olympic Range is steep and switchbacks are scarce! We'd climb 3000-4000 feet and crest a treeless pass and then drop down 3000 feet to the lush forest again. And we repeated that scenario over 5 days and 37 miles. In all, we climbed 16,000 feet which is equivalent to hiking into and out of the Grand Canyon 3x! My boys are so strong and resilient! The boys thoroughly enjoyed exploring a different type of forest!
.
.
.
#grateful #wildernesstherapy #choosemountains
#fatherandson

Dawn did little to reveal a trail ravaged by flames and the flash floods that followed. We sought relief from the endless maze of charred logs at treeline, but the slope steepened and the air thinned. The summit ridge opened an endless expanse of tundra dotted with elk, deer, ptarmigan, and even a bear! At the top of the third peak, rather than backtrack, we decided to escape the brewing thunderstorms and descend to the emerald lake far below. From the lake, we would need to follow a trail that was abandoned over 20 years ago. We didn't find any sign of the trail, but eventually the creek led to an old mining road, which took us back to the burn, closing an epic 20 mile loop. I'm glad I had a couple experienced backwoodsmen on that rugged route! What an adventure with a couple of fit fellas!
.
.
.
#choosemountains, #livethemoment, #coloradolife

Dawn did little to reveal a trail ravaged by flames and the flash floods that followed. We sought relief from the endless maze of charred logs at treeline, but the slope steepened and the air thinned. The summit ridge opened an endless expanse of tundra dotted with elk, deer, ptarmigan, and even a bear! At the top of the third peak, rather than backtrack, we decided to escape the brewing thunderstorms and descend to the emerald lake far below. From the lake, we would need to follow a trail that was abandoned over 20 years ago. We didn't find any sign of the trail, but eventually the creek led to an old mining road, which took us back to the burn, closing an epic 20 mile loop. I'm glad I had a couple experienced backwoodsmen on that rugged route! What an adventure with a couple of fit fellas!
.
.
.
#choosemountains, #livethemoment, #coloradolife

A recent overnight with my oldest. So proud he's strong enough to make it to beautiful, secluded destinations with or without a trail. Sunset on a summit is a special opportunity!
.
.
.
#coloradolife #fatherandson #grateful #liveyouradventure

A recent overnight with my oldest. So proud he's strong enough to make it to beautiful, secluded destinations with or without a trail. Sunset on a summit is a special opportunity!
.
.
.
#coloradolife #fatherandson #grateful #liveyouradventure

An afternoon thunderstorm over the Great Sand Dunes. This drenching brought Medano Creek back to life!
.
.
.
#thunderstorm #greatsanddunesnationalpark #landscape

An afternoon thunderstorm over the Great Sand Dunes. This drenching brought Medano Creek back to life!
.
.
.
#thunderstorm #greatsanddunesnationalpark #landscape

This guy broke his arm at the beginning of the summer and couldn't go to summer camp. To ease the disappointment, we went ballooning instead! It was so fun to see the town from a new perspective! Thanks to @pagosaadventure for a beautiful ride!
.
.
.
#pagosasprings #pagosaadventure #enjoythemoment

This guy broke his arm at the beginning of the summer and couldn't go to summer camp. To ease the disappointment, we went ballooning instead! It was so fun to see the town from a new perspective! Thanks to @pagosaadventure for a beautiful ride!
.
.
.
#pagosasprings #pagosaadventure #enjoythemoment

Enjoyed a fabulous high altitude loop today! So thankful for the past 3 days of rain! The tundra is greening up nicely!
.
.
.
#seenonmyrun #sundayfunday #grateful #daydream #wildernesstherapy

Enjoyed a fabulous high altitude loop today! So thankful for the past 3 days of rain! The tundra is greening up nicely!
.
.
.
#seenonmyrun #sundayfunday #grateful #daydream #wildernesstherapy

A beautiful backcountry adventure loop! Abundant snow, water, waterfalls and sunshine! So grateful to be able to do and access such things with fit friends!
.
.
.
#useyourquads, #rareair, liveyouradventure, #seenonmyrun, #grateful, #wildernesstherapy

A beautiful backcountry adventure loop! Abundant snow, water, waterfalls and sunshine! So grateful to be able to do and access such things with fit friends!
.
.
.
#useyourquads, #rareair, liveyouradventure, #seenonmyrun, #grateful, #wildernesstherapy

A mesmerizing blizzard of fuzzy Colorado cotton!
.
.
.
#coloradolife #daydream #mesmerizing

A mesmerizing blizzard of fuzzy Colorado cotton!
.
.
.
#coloradolife #daydream #mesmerizing

Came across lots of baby plants emerging from soggy meadows during my wilderness trail run. Lots of snow and downed trees, but it was good to get back in the high country!
.
.
.
#seenonmyrun #trailrun #springtime

Came across lots of baby plants emerging from soggy meadows during my wilderness trail run. Lots of snow and downed trees, but it was good to get back in the high country!
.
.
.
#seenonmyrun #trailrun #springtime

Wilderness therapy! So grateful!
.
.
.
#wildernesstherapy #grateful #seenonmyrun #sundayrunday

Wilderness therapy! So grateful!
.
.
.
#wildernesstherapy #grateful #seenonmyrun #sundayrunday

The 2024 meltdown is well underway! The snowpack at the Upper San Juan Snotel site (USJSS) peaked 3 days early on April 11th with 25.8 inches of snow water equivalent (SWE). The snowpack reached 90% of normal or 3 inches shy of the 28.8-inch SWE peak that normally occurs on April 14th.

Daily high temperatures have climbed above 50 degrees at the USJSS for 10 out of the last 12 days, which is well above average for the site at 10,200 feet on Wolf Creek Pass. On top of that, the snow has multiple dust layers from strong wind events that carried dust from the Desert Southwest.

Above-average temperatures and increased solar absorption by our dirty snowpack have consistently generated twice as much streamflow in the San Juan River over the past 10 days. At the time of writing, the site has already lost 25% of the winter snowpack and the streamflow is at 1500 cfs and climbing.

The max temperature at the USJSS reached 56.5 F during the past 2 days and should be similar tomorrow. Runoff will slow and some snow will be replenished as cold, wet weather settles in from Thursday through Sunday.

Based on 88 years of record...
https://www.southsanjuans.info/post/predicting-the-peak-spring-runoff-2024
.
.
.
#sanjuanriver #pagosasprings #springrunoff

The 2024 meltdown is well underway! The snowpack at the Upper San Juan Snotel site (USJSS) peaked 3 days early on April 11th with 25.8 inches of snow water equivalent (SWE). The snowpack reached 90% of normal or 3 inches shy of the 28.8-inch SWE peak that normally occurs on April 14th.

Daily high temperatures have climbed above 50 degrees at the USJSS for 10 out of the last 12 days, which is well above average for the site at 10,200 feet on Wolf Creek Pass. On top of that, the snow has multiple dust layers from strong wind events that carried dust from the Desert Southwest.

Above-average temperatures and increased solar absorption by our dirty snowpack have consistently generated twice as much streamflow in the San Juan River over the past 10 days. At the time of writing, the site has already lost 25% of the winter snowpack and the streamflow is at 1500 cfs and climbing.

The max temperature at the USJSS reached 56.5 F during the past 2 days and should be similar tomorrow. Runoff will slow and some snow will be replenished as cold, wet weather settles in from Thursday through Sunday.

Based on 88 years of record...
https://www.southsanjuans.info/post/predicting-the-peak-spring-runoff-2024
.
.
.
#sanjuanriver #pagosasprings #springrunoff

As the early morning light crept down the canyon walls, there was a dynamic combination of shapes and hues. A new, intriguing combination every instant!

As the early morning light crept down the canyon walls, there was a dynamic combination of shapes and hues. A new, intriguing combination every instant!

Over Spring break, we spent 4 days and 3 nights backpacking in the Grand Canyon! We had the perfect weather window! It snowed the night before on the rim, but the weather got better each day and quickly reached the mid 70s! The boy's favorite part was playing on the white sandy beach that we had all to ourselves! Other than a few pesky mice and turbid water, the trip was smooth. In all we did about 25 miles and I'm so proud of how strong my boys have become!

Over Spring break, we spent 4 days and 3 nights backpacking in the Grand Canyon! We had the perfect weather window! It snowed the night before on the rim, but the weather got better each day and quickly reached the mid 70s! The boy's favorite part was playing on the white sandy beach that we had all to ourselves! Other than a few pesky mice and turbid water, the trip was smooth. In all we did about 25 miles and I'm so proud of how strong my boys have become!

Black and white experiment #1.
.
.
.
#bwlandscape #bwnature #zonesystem

Black and white experiment #1.
.
.
.
#bwlandscape #bwnature #zonesystem

An early morning skate ski with my oldest! One of the few teenagers I know who will get up at 5:30 AM on a weekend to face frozen eyelashes! We both agreed the sunrise on this serene snowy scene was worth it!
.
.
.
#skateskiing #nordicstyle #nordic #pagosasprings #lakelife #dawnpatrol

An early morning skate ski with my oldest! One of the few teenagers I know who will get up at 5:30 AM on a weekend to face frozen eyelashes! We both agreed the sunrise on this serene snowy scene was worth it!
.
.
.
#skateskiing #nordicstyle #nordic #pagosasprings #lakelife #dawnpatrol

Warm, sunny days, cold nights, and a break in the storm cycle can open up unlimited terrain for crust skiing. One of our crew had to work this morning so we were skating by 5:30 am with headlamps. It was definitely worth the early morning alarm!
.
.
.
#skateskiing #dawnpatrol #nordicstyle

Warm, sunny days, cold nights, and a break in the storm cycle can open up unlimited terrain for crust skiing. One of our crew had to work this morning so we were skating by 5:30 am with headlamps. It was definitely worth the early morning alarm!
.
.
.
#skateskiing #dawnpatrol #nordicstyle

Although our family dog has slowed down, she is just as cuddly as ever.
.
.
.
#bwportrait #zonesystem #blackandwhitephotography #familydog #rescuemutt

Although our family dog has slowed down, she is just as cuddly as ever.
.
.
.
#bwportrait #zonesystem #blackandwhitephotography #familydog #rescuemutt

Scenes from the Olympic Peninsula.
.
.
.
#bwnature #bwlandscape #livethemoment

Scenes from the Olympic Peninsula.
.
.
.
#bwnature #bwlandscape #livethemoment

It's been a slow start to winter. Hoping the storm this weekend will drop snowflakes larger and more plentiful than falling leaves at the end of autumn!
.
.
.
#blizzard #snowstorm # #pagosasprings #snowflakes

It's been a slow start to winter. Hoping the storm this weekend will drop snowflakes larger and more plentiful than falling leaves at the end of autumn!
.
.
.
#blizzard #snowstorm # #pagosasprings #snowflakes

There was freshly groomed styrofoam at Fall Creek yesterday! Slow and squeaky snow makes the climb extra hard, but the views on the downhill are always worth the effort!
.
.
.
#skateskiing #nordicstyle #pagosasprings #enjoythemoment #coloradolife

There was freshly groomed styrofoam at Fall Creek yesterday! Slow and squeaky snow makes the climb extra hard, but the views on the downhill are always worth the effort!
.
.
.
#skateskiing #nordicstyle #pagosasprings #enjoythemoment #coloradolife

Last weekend was my 1st skate ski outing of the season! What a beautiful place to exercise! Thanks to @wolfcreekski for grooming the trails!
.
.
.
#outtherecolorado #liveyouradventure #livethemoment#amongthewild #mtnfolk #skateskiing #pagosasprings

Last weekend was my 1st skate ski outing of the season! What a beautiful place to exercise! Thanks to @wolfcreekski for grooming the trails!
.
.
.
#outtherecolorado #liveyouradventure #livethemoment#amongthewild #mtnfolk #skateskiing #pagosasprings

Grateful for this crew...especially for my wife, who brought these 3 wonderful kids into this world!
.
.
.
#momsrock #grateful

Grateful for this crew...especially for my wife, who brought these 3 wonderful kids into this world!
.
.
.
#momsrock #grateful

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Follow us on Instagram

bottom of page