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SOUTH SAN JUANS

A Local's Trail Guide to the

SOUTHERN

SAN JUAN

MOUNTAINS

Surrounding Pagosa Springs, Colorado

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Hike/Run	Mtn Bike
Nordic Ski	Fat Bike

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Gallery

Did You Miss It? Spring Runoff 2025

Did You Miss It? Spring Runoff 2025

Did You Miss It? Spring Runoff 2025

Josh Kurz

Apr 263 min read

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

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

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

Josh Kurz

Jan 124 min read

Predicting the Peak: Spring Runoff 2024!

Predicting the Peak: Spring Runoff 2024!

Predicting the Peak: Spring Runoff 2024!

Josh Kurz

Apr 24, 20242 min read

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

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

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

Josh Kurz

Oct 3, 20232 min read

A Tribute to John Fielder (1950 - 2023)

A Tribute to John Fielder (1950 - 2023)

A Tribute to John Fielder (1950 - 2023)

Josh Kurz

Sep 2, 20234 min read

Predicting the Peak: Spring Runoff 2023

Predicting the Peak: Spring Runoff 2023

Predicting the Peak: Spring Runoff 2023

Josh Kurz

May 7, 20233 min read

Blog

Sometimes I'm envious of the Alps. Then get out in my own backyard and realize how fortunate I am! So grateful that my legs are able to get me to places like this and for friends and fur balls that are able to join me! No refugios, no people.
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#wildernesstherapy #seenonmyrun #rescuemutt #traildog #trailrun

Sometimes I'm envious of the Alps. Then get out in my own backyard and realize how fortunate I am! So grateful that my legs are able to get me to places like this and for friends and fur balls that are able to join me! No refugios, no people.
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#wildernesstherapy #seenonmyrun #rescuemutt #traildog #trailrun

This inconspicuous summit hides a fantastic formation of exfoliating granite. At first glance, it looks like something out of Mesa Verde. The geology in the background is pretty amazing too. The area's longest glacial valley stretches beneath steep volcanic cliffs made from alternating layers of pink ash and dark pyroclastic flows. And I had to include some shots of my puppy model.
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#geologyrocks #seenonmyrun #wildernesstherapy #traildog

This inconspicuous summit hides a fantastic formation of exfoliating granite. At first glance, it looks like something out of Mesa Verde. The geology in the background is pretty amazing too. The area's longest glacial valley stretches beneath steep volcanic cliffs made from alternating layers of pink ash and dark pyroclastic flows. And I had to include some shots of my puppy model.
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#geologyrocks #seenonmyrun #wildernesstherapy #traildog

Last summer, I went on an incredible Washington trail run that I didn't think I could ever top. Last weekend was just as good! The fog made this run spectacular! The view from the 6000-foot ridge had more vertical relief than the Grand Canyon! I started and ended in a rainforest and experienced alpine snowfields and views of glaciers in between, and had views down to sea level! Unreal!
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#wildernesstherapy #seenonmyrun

Last summer, I went on an incredible Washington trail run that I didn't think I could ever top. Last weekend was just as good! The fog made this run spectacular! The view from the 6000-foot ridge had more vertical relief than the Grand Canyon! I started and ended in a rainforest and experienced alpine snowfields and views of glaciers in between, and had views down to sea level! Unreal!
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#wildernesstherapy #seenonmyrun

Stop 4 on our two-week Washington road trip! Spent two days camping and tide pooling!
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#roadtrippin
#adventure

Stop 4 on our two-week Washington road trip! Spent two days camping and tide pooling!
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#roadtrippin
#adventure

Stop 3 on our two-week Washington road trip!
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#roadtrippin

Stop 3 on our two-week Washington road trip!
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#roadtrippin

Stop 2 on our two-week Washington road trip!
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#roadtrippin
#boysadventure

Stop 2 on our two-week Washington road trip!
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#roadtrippin
#boysadventure

The first stop on a 2-week Washington road trip with my boys!
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#roadtrippin #adventure

The first stop on a 2-week Washington road trip with my boys!
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#roadtrippin #adventure

Last weekend, I took our boys on the most incredible Father's Day hike ever! We walked an incredible ridge with views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Canada to the north and the Mt. Olympus to the South! What an incredible experience! The weather was perfect...sunshine and absolutely no wind!

Last weekend, I took our boys on the most incredible Father's Day hike ever! We walked an incredible ridge with views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Canada to the north and the Mt. Olympus to the South! What an incredible experience! The weather was perfect...sunshine and absolutely no wind!

Our kids are 4th generation Coloradans and they have spent their childhood making memories exploring Colorado's public lands with us. We have built traditions hiking, biking, swimming, camping, boating, climbing, fishing, Nordic skiing, foraging, as well as cutting firewood and Christmas trees on our public lands, which are located less than a mile from our home.

Enjoying backyard access to public land is part of our family's culture as well as millions of other Coloradans. It's incomprehensible to me that some in Congress don't recognize the intrinsic values and traditions that our public lands provide and are not willing to fight to ensure that future generations will have access to this cherished public resource.

Why is it that Montana is the only state that has representatives willing to stand up and say no to the provision of a bill that ironically has the word beautiful in the title. Our public lands are beautiful and selling them is an atrocious act and completely out of touch with Coloradan's values.

I hope our public lands are not auctioned off to the highest bidder. As one Montana representative said, "I do not support the widespread sale or transfer of public lands. Once the land is sold, we will never get it back. God isn't creating more land."

I hope Colorado and other Western senators will stand up for Colorado and the West before it's too late!
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#protectourpubliclands
#publiclandsinpublichands
#publiclands
@jeff4colorado
@repjeffhurd
@senatorbennet
@michaelbennet
@senatorhick
@senmikelee
@johnhickenlooper
@outdooralliance

Our kids are 4th generation Coloradans and they have spent their childhood making memories exploring Colorado's public lands with us. We have built traditions hiking, biking, swimming, camping, boating, climbing, fishing, Nordic skiing, foraging, as well as cutting firewood and Christmas trees on our public lands, which are located less than a mile from our home.

Enjoying backyard access to public land is part of our family's culture as well as millions of other Coloradans. It's incomprehensible to me that some in Congress don't recognize the intrinsic values and traditions that our public lands provide and are not willing to fight to ensure that future generations will have access to this cherished public resource.

Why is it that Montana is the only state that has representatives willing to stand up and say no to the provision of a bill that ironically has the word beautiful in the title. Our public lands are beautiful and selling them is an atrocious act and completely out of touch with Coloradan's values.

I hope our public lands are not auctioned off to the highest bidder. As one Montana representative said, "I do not support the widespread sale or transfer of public lands. Once the land is sold, we will never get it back. God isn't creating more land."

I hope Colorado and other Western senators will stand up for Colorado and the West before it's too late!
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#protectourpubliclands
#publiclandsinpublichands
#publiclands
@jeff4colorado
@repjeffhurd
@senatorbennet
@michaelbennet
@senatorhick
@senmikelee
@johnhickenlooper
@outdooralliance

1st mountain of the year! Summiting mountains is one of my favorite hobbies that never gets old especially with good company. I am so grateful to have such incredible access to wilderness and for good health to enjoy it!
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#summit #wildernesstherapy #seenonmyrun

1st mountain of the year! Summiting mountains is one of my favorite hobbies that never gets old especially with good company. I am so grateful to have such incredible access to wilderness and for good health to enjoy it!
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#summit #wildernesstherapy #seenonmyrun

Spring runoff is underway! Or is it already over? The San Juan River hit a season high of 671 cfs just after midnight on April 13th. But that was before our abrupt return to winter last weekend. On April 19th, my yard had more snow on the ground than most of our "snowy" months! Thankfully, the recent snow and associated cold temperatures have extended our meager snowpack a little longer.

The Upper San Juan SNOTEL site peaked with 12.8 inches of water in the snow on 3/21, the 2nd lowest peak since 1979 (2002 peaked at 10.7 inches on 3/27). To provide a greater historical precedent, we can extend the period of record back to 1936 using snow course data. April 1st snow course measurements have been collected since 1936 along a transect adjacent to the site. Based on 90 years of data, 2025 had the 3rd lowest April 1st snowpack behind 1977 and 2002.

Before the April 19th storm, the SWE at the Upper San Juan site (10140 feet) dwindled to 5.8 inches. Fortunately, the late snowstorm replenished another 1.2 inches of SWE. At the time of this writing, 5.2 inches of water remain in the 15-inch snowpack, which is better than 2002 and 2018. The Wolf Creek Summit SNOTEL site (10,900 feet) still has about 15 inches of water remaining in the 41-inch snowpack. The remainder of our runoff will be generated from this high-elevation snowpack.

In 2002, the San Juan River peaked at a measly 296 cfs on April 15, and the site was snow-free April 21st! At this point, the streamflow on the San Juan River has exceeded the peak flows in 2002 and 1977, but I don't expect the 2025 peak flow to surpass the 2018 peak. Notice how the historical average dwarfs all three of the years plotted below.

Since 2018, I’ve attempted to predict the magnitude and timing of the peak runoff on the San Juan River using the peak SWE from the Upper San Juan SNOTEL site. Using only the peak SWE from one physical location is bad science because snow can vary dramatically from one sub-watershed to the next, and factors such as air temperature, antecedent soil moisture, sublimation, and dust on snow are other important factors that I ignore. But it’s a fun challenge nonetheless. Based on 89 years of record..

Spring runoff is underway! Or is it already over? The San Juan River hit a season high of 671 cfs just after midnight on April 13th. But that was before our abrupt return to winter last weekend. On April 19th, my yard had more snow on the ground than most of our "snowy" months! Thankfully, the recent snow and associated cold temperatures have extended our meager snowpack a little longer.

The Upper San Juan SNOTEL site peaked with 12.8 inches of water in the snow on 3/21, the 2nd lowest peak since 1979 (2002 peaked at 10.7 inches on 3/27). To provide a greater historical precedent, we can extend the period of record back to 1936 using snow course data. April 1st snow course measurements have been collected since 1936 along a transect adjacent to the site. Based on 90 years of data, 2025 had the 3rd lowest April 1st snowpack behind 1977 and 2002.

Before the April 19th storm, the SWE at the Upper San Juan site (10140 feet) dwindled to 5.8 inches. Fortunately, the late snowstorm replenished another 1.2 inches of SWE. At the time of this writing, 5.2 inches of water remain in the 15-inch snowpack, which is better than 2002 and 2018. The Wolf Creek Summit SNOTEL site (10,900 feet) still has about 15 inches of water remaining in the 41-inch snowpack. The remainder of our runoff will be generated from this high-elevation snowpack.

In 2002, the San Juan River peaked at a measly 296 cfs on April 15, and the site was snow-free April 21st! At this point, the streamflow on the San Juan River has exceeded the peak flows in 2002 and 1977, but I don't expect the 2025 peak flow to surpass the 2018 peak. Notice how the historical average dwarfs all three of the years plotted below.

Since 2018, I’ve attempted to predict the magnitude and timing of the peak runoff on the San Juan River using the peak SWE from the Upper San Juan SNOTEL site. Using only the peak SWE from one physical location is bad science because snow can vary dramatically from one sub-watershed to the next, and factors such as air temperature, antecedent soil moisture, sublimation, and dust on snow are other important factors that I ignore. But it’s a fun challenge nonetheless. Based on 89 years of record..

It's been an uninspiring bare-ground winter until yesterday. So grateful for the frozen moisture and the beauty and recreation it provides!
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#nordicstyle #snowday #skateskiing

It's been an uninspiring bare-ground winter until yesterday. So grateful for the frozen moisture and the beauty and recreation it provides!
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#nordicstyle #snowday #skateskiing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1st snowy scene of the season!
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#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!
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#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!
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#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.
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#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.
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#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!
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#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!
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#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!
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#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!
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#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!
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#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!
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#coloradolife #fatherandson #grateful #liveyouradventure

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

An afternoon thunderstorm over the Great Sand Dunes. This drenching brought Medano Creek back to life!
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#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!
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#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!
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#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!
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#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!
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#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!
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#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!
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#useyourquads, #rareair, liveyouradventure, #seenonmyrun, #grateful, #wildernesstherapy

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

A mesmerizing blizzard of fuzzy Colorado cotton!
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#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!
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#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!
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#seenonmyrun #trailrun #springtime

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

Wilderness therapy! So grateful!
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#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
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#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
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#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.
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#bwlandscape #bwnature #zonesystem

Black and white experiment #1.
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#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!
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#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!
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#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!
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#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!
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#skateskiing #dawnpatrol #nordicstyle

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

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

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

Scenes from the Olympic Peninsula.
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#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!
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#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!
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#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!
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#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!
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#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!
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#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!
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#outtherecolorado #liveyouradventure #livethemoment#amongthewild #mtnfolk #skateskiing #pagosasprings

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

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

Some autumn evening scenes that I didn't have time to post.
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#mountainliving #optoutside #outtherecolorado #liveyouradventure #findyourwild #livethemoment
#fallorado

Some autumn evening scenes that I didn't have time to post.
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#mountainliving #optoutside #outtherecolorado #liveyouradventure #findyourwild #livethemoment
#fallorado

Taking advantage of our unseasonably warm November with a trail-less adventure to the top of a peak we've never climbed before. Amazing views of Vallecito, the Pine, the Rio Grande Pyramid, the Pope's Nose, and the lower Piedra watershed.
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#mountainliving #optoutside #outtherecolorado #liveyouradventure #findyourwild #livethemoment #celebratewild #allaboutadventure #choosemountains #coloradolife #goatworthy #amongthewild #mtnfolk

Taking advantage of our unseasonably warm November with a trail-less adventure to the top of a peak we've never climbed before. Amazing views of Vallecito, the Pine, the Rio Grande Pyramid, the Pope's Nose, and the lower Piedra watershed.
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#mountainliving #optoutside #outtherecolorado #liveyouradventure #findyourwild #livethemoment #celebratewild #allaboutadventure #choosemountains #coloradolife #goatworthy #amongthewild #mtnfolk

Last light on the last aspen!
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#fallorado #outtherecolorado #liveyouradventure #findyourwild #livethemoment #allaboutadventure

Last light on the last aspen!
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#fallorado #outtherecolorado #liveyouradventure #findyourwild #livethemoment #allaboutadventure

Two late season wildfires suspiciously erupted and created the only clouds that we've seen in weeks. At least October fires are better than May fires.
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#fallorado #pagosasprings

Two late season wildfires suspiciously erupted and created the only clouds that we've seen in weeks. At least October fires are better than May fires.
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#fallorado #pagosasprings

Watching a painting unfold! The unique hue of each aspen clump reminds me of those mini water color palettes that I used as a kid. Or maybe the citrus section: limes, lemons, grapefruit, and tangerines.
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#fallorado #live #livethemoment #liveyouradventure #viewcolorado

Watching a painting unfold! The unique hue of each aspen clump reminds me of those mini water color palettes that I used as a kid. Or maybe the citrus section: limes, lemons, grapefruit, and tangerines.
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#fallorado #live #livethemoment #liveyouradventure #viewcolorado

What a special opportunity to eat a late pancake breakfast while watching a unique celestial event from our yard! The eclipse was amazing to witness in the sky and in the shadows! My son first noticed the strange crescent patterns under the trees and on shadowed surfaces. Then I remembered the colander trick. The holes in the colander are small enough to reveal the phase of the eclipse! So I enjoyed casting dozens of eclipse shadows everywhere! I even made a commemorative annular eclipse pancake to celebrate!
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#eclipse #eclipse2023 #livethemoment

What a special opportunity to eat a late pancake breakfast while watching a unique celestial event from our yard! The eclipse was amazing to witness in the sky and in the shadows! My son first noticed the strange crescent patterns under the trees and on shadowed surfaces. Then I remembered the colander trick. The holes in the colander are small enough to reveal the phase of the eclipse! So I enjoyed casting dozens of eclipse shadows everywhere! I even made a commemorative annular eclipse pancake to celebrate!
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#eclipse #eclipse2023 #livethemoment

I've been searching for fresh vantage points for fall photos this year. So far I haven't found what I'm looking for, but I've discovered some interesting rock formations in the process! The map suggests that the backside of this formation is hike-able, but I encountered the world's most rotten rock and was forced to turn around.
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#mountainliving #optoutside #outtherecolorado #liveyouradventure #livethemoment #allaboutadventure #choosemountains #coloradolife #goatworthy #amongthewild

I've been searching for fresh vantage points for fall photos this year. So far I haven't found what I'm looking for, but I've discovered some interesting rock formations in the process! The map suggests that the backside of this formation is hike-able, but I encountered the world's most rotten rock and was forced to turn around.
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#mountainliving #optoutside #outtherecolorado #liveyouradventure #livethemoment #allaboutadventure #choosemountains #coloradolife #goatworthy #amongthewild

I've been exploring these hills for the past 25 years and I'm still discovering new views! And now my son is old enough and willing to trudge through downed timber and wander intermittent game trails that lead to some amazing treasures! We found an embedded geode the size of a large watermelon!
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#outtherecolorado #livethemoment #allaboutadventure #coloradolife #goatworthy #amongthewild #mtnfolk #fallorado

I've been exploring these hills for the past 25 years and I'm still discovering new views! And now my son is old enough and willing to trudge through downed timber and wander intermittent game trails that lead to some amazing treasures! We found an embedded geode the size of a large watermelon!
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#outtherecolorado #livethemoment #allaboutadventure #coloradolife #goatworthy #amongthewild #mtnfolk #fallorado

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