Greetings from Pagosa Springs

gpsjoe · Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Posts: 535 Location: Mesa AZ

Today is my official entrance into geezer-hood. It is my 65th birthday.

I spent the day hiking to Pagosa Peak. This is the highest peak in the Pagosa Springs area but doesn’t get all the attention of other Colorado peaks because it is at a humble elevation of 12,670 feet according to my GPS. If your peak is below 13,000 feet here then your just another peak of which there are thousands.

Anyway, I had fun. The trail requires a 4WD for a 4 mile piece on a gated old logging road that is open June 15 to October 1. My 4Runner did great. The trailhead is at 10,220 feet so the elevation gain is 2,450 feet. With a couple of ups and downs the total climbing is about 2,600 feet. This is done over a 1 way distance of 2 miles of which about 1/4th mile is flat. So the average grade over 1.75 miles is 28 percent and sometimes is a lot more than that. There are absolutely no switchbacks on this trail. It’s up, up and away except for the quarter mile mentioned before.

Half of the trail is soft forest bottom (pine needles, dried leaves) where the traction is good and the other half is hard rock with lots of loose rocks and granite that can act like marbles under your feet. As you hike the ridgeline near the top there is a 1,000+ foot drop-off on your left and right so this is no place for the squeamish. Of course, coming down was more difficult than going up. But I am naturally slooooooooooooow and that comes in handy sometimes.

This was my 5th hike in Pagosa this week and I’ll move on to Breckenridge on Friday for another week hiking Colorado high country where temperatures are great. If it’s July or August, Colorado is where I want to be. I’ll report on the other hikes when I get back after Labor Day.

jdahling · Joined: 19 Jul 2007 Posts: 233 Location: East Valley

Happy Birthday!

The pictures are excellent - definitely THE way to celebrate your birthday. Or any day for that matter. Oh, how I love altitude.
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Jeannine Cool

"Life is an adventure ... Made for an adventurer ..."

paintninaz · Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 3515

Not bad for a geezer!

Happy Birthday Joe!!!

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~Tracy

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JW · Posted: 8/22/2007, 6:31 pm Post subject: Geezer?

Sorry Joe,

Having hiked with you a few times, or so... Smile

and having tried to keep-up, with some occasional random successes... Smile

, I think you don't qualify for Geezer-hood.

I believe it's mainly related to what you don't do, and since you do it all, buddy, you're out!! Smile

)

Many more!
P.S. Jealousy happens here since I love the altitude hikes, too. Next month UTAH!
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Hikngrl · Posted: 8/22/2007, 6:41 pm Post subject:

Oh my goodness Joe! That is way cool! Happy Birthday! Great way to celebrate! Although, the Canyon is my celebration of choice and since it is still relativly cool in the Canyon on my Birthday it works for me!
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IGO · Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 4144 Location: Las Vegas

That walk looks as fine as any.
Congrats on the summit and the 65. I plan for my 65 regularly.
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Abe · Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 436 Location: Prescott Valley

Happy Birthday! Yahoo!

I'm just a pup Flipping Baby

but I hope when I'm 65 I have the stamina you have. Great pics.
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Canyon Dweller · Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 712 Location: Denver, CO

Happy Birthday, and congrats on one of Coloado's many 12ers. I find it better to hike an obscure mountain then a popular 14er.
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Mountains are there to be climbed!

"Meaningless! Meaningless," says the teacher, "Utterly Meaningless, Everything is meaningless."-Ecclesiastes 1:2

Trishness · Posted: 8/22/2007, 8:11 pm Post subject:

Joe,

WOOHOO! Happy Birthday to you~~~and you are far from being a "geezer"! Have you received your red, white and blue card yet courtesy of the SSA? Many of us are hot on your trail and will be soon inducted into the AARP club Wink

What an awesome way to spend your birthday hiking in a another beautiful area of Arizona.

Mr. Green

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~~~Trish~~~

"Eastward the dawn rose, ridge behind ridge into the morning, and vanished out of eyesight into guess; it was no more than a glimmer blending with the hem of the sky, but it spoke to them, out of the memory and old tales, of the high and distant mountains." ï¿½ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of The Rings.

desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

Happy Birthday Joe!
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thesuperstitions · Guest

Congratulations Joe!!!!!! Keep doing all that you do and you'll NEVER be considered a "Geezer"!!!

Davis2001R6 · Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 5591 Location: Italy

Awesome Joe, you inspire me. I hope I can do that when I'm 65 as well, happy birthday.

PS.....You making Hooli look bad.

RedRoxx44 · Queen of the Walkabout Joined: 15 Jan 2004 Posts: 1167

Happy birthday and I hope I can do half the hikes you do now still.
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wanderingsoul · Joined: 19 Jul 2004 Posts: 2285 Location: Gilbert AZ

Wow Joe, never suspected.... Having seen you hiking I also am inspired...

Have a Happy Birthday and it enjoy... Old Geezer ....No way !!!!
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Suz · Joined: 27 Nov 2005 Posts: 3186

Happy Birthday Joe! I sure hope someday I can get into the shape you are in!