When I arrived just after 7 a.m., the bus was parked, idling in the middle of the parking lot as always. I stashed my gear on one of the seats then went inside the Mally Rec. Center to sign-in and see other members of the group.
By half past the hour, everybody had boarded the bus and we were on our way. Or so we thought. As he pulled out of the lot, Mike, our driver, realized there was a problem with the throttle. After stopping along the curb, he informed us of his inability to get the engine to properly respond and that we would be going to the Englewood Fleet Maintenance Center.
A technician briefly checked the vehicle and agreed the bus would need to be taken out of service. Minutes later, Mike brought another bus along side and we all made the switch. Within the first hour of our day, we watched the vapor of our breath chrystalize while walking to the bus. Now on a second bus our breath vapors were clouding the windows and freezing solid.
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| Devils Thumb Lodge. |
After pulling in to the Conoco Service Plaza at Bakersville, Mike informed us the usual 30 minute pit stop would be a 15 minute quickie.
Roads out of the city and I-70 were dry. That would change as we came out of the mountain town of Empire and began the climb to Berthoud Pass (11,315'). Snowbanks along the road got higher as we got to the top and continued down the western slope.
Mike made a brief stop at Winter Park Ski Resort to drop off one downhiller. Then through town and into the beautiful Frazer Valley. As we were leaving town, the time/temperature sign at the local bank read minus 4 degrees. Yikes, it's cold.
I kept my eyes peeled out the window for a fox or coyote trotting across the open fields before the turnoff to Devils Thumb. I did spot a coyote here last year about this time.
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| Main bunkhouse...yeah right. |
The Frazer Valley is as beautiful as always. There is an estimated 6 to 8" of snow on the ground. Some evidence of a light coat of fresh new snow on top of the dirty snowbanks. The forecast for snow today is only 20%.
I take notice of the amount of vehicles in the parking lot on arrival. Today, less than a dozen means the lodge will be relatively quiet and a good possibility once on trail, traffic will be zero.
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| XCountry skiers move past the yurt. |
Due to the frigid temperature outside, I got into my camera harness, donned my outer layer, and adjusted my poles in the changing room at the lodge. Outside, I wasted little time securing my snowshoes before heading for the TH. On my way past the yurt located at the junction of all snowshoe and Xcountry trails, I only saw four people outside the group.
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| Snowshoe trailhead. |
The Blackhawk snowshoe trail follows a zig zag log fence row, leaving the Lodge complex behind. Trail continues by a shed, then begins a steady gain in elevation to the back country. After crossing two snow covered roads and three groomed XCountry trails, I thought I was making progress within my normal pace. I had stopped a number of times due to snow depth to rest. Plunging a pole into powder beside trail told me depth now was at least 12" to 18." Snow on trail was not fully packed, making each step a bit of a challenge due to some erratic and uneven tracks.
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| Fields at Devils Thumb Ranch. |
A longer stop at the top of the ridge instantly brought to mind the reason I do this. Looking north, and east across the Frazer Valley can only be described as inspiring. Such beauty combined with ultimate solitude makes ones heart pound a bit harder despite the climb just made.
Although my ears are pinned tightly against my head by two knit caps plus a hooded shell, I hear voices coming from below the ridge. As my eyes follow trail down slope, they spot two snowshoers heading in my direction.
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| Ingrid and Sharon make the climb. |
I know those outfits. It's Sharon and Ingrid at a steady pace and in constant conversation...It must be a woman thing. When I open my mouth, the air is so cold, it feels like my jaw could freeze solid.
This is a good spot to capture images of the winter landscape, plus some of my fellow snowshoers. To the southeast is Mt. Epworth (11,843'), and Rollins Pass (11,671'). Turning east Devils Thumb Pass (11,747'), is barely visable due to snow. The Continental Divide Trail follows the crest of both passes.
When the two women arrive, we agree to continue on across the slope until we come to a spot where trail drops considerably into the valley.
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| Stables with Devils Thumb Pass in the distance. |
I decide to turn back. Ingrid and Sharon follow for a short distance then change direction. I continue the descent past the shed then break trail across the valley back to the lodge. Fingers and toes, what fingers and toes...I can't feel any of them.
I break off a twig to use as a tool to disengage the bindings on my snowshoes. My pack remains on my back till inside the lodge. After a few minutes, the normal sense of touch returns to my finger tips allowing me to release my hip belt and shoulder straps.
It would be another 25 to 30 minutes before I felt comfortable enough to approach the counter to order a large bowl of home made minestrone soup. The spoon provided was smaller than usual, requiring more dips into the hot broth and mega stock of carrots, celery, kidney beans, tomatoes, and green beans. Only then did I have full feeling in my extremities.
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| Fence row. |
The day was still young so after entrusting my gear to members of the group, I ventured back outside with camera in tow...rather around my neck. Interesting images present themselves sometimes when you least expect them. After strolling among the buildings of the resort, I found a snow covered western style wagon, remenicent of the old west.
As I scanned the valley, a small herd of horses could be seen. The walk on this frigid day was invigorating. On approach to the horse pasture, I noticed bales of hay had been randomly dropped on the snow providing the animals food. A dozen or more horses were feeding plus three donkeys. None of them noticed me as I stood shivering at the fence
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| Fresh hay for brunch. |
Sensing the lack of feeling in fingers and toes once again, I started for the Lodge. Many in the group had taken their gear to the bus for the trip home. Not a sole was on the bus when I got there to stash my stuff so I figured they would be hanging out in the Day Lodge. A less formal building than the main lodge, it is warm and comfortable with tables and chairs for visitors to enjoy conversation. It is were I found the group.
Before leaving for the bus, Peter was telling the story of his day. Apparently, he took a fall while on XCountry skis. Landing on his left shoulder, he was in considerable pain for the past hour or two. His intent after arriving back in Englewood, was to walk 6 blocks to get an RTD bus to take him back to his apartment to stash his gear. Then he would take another bus to the VA Hospital for an evaluation. After hearing the story and learning he does not drive, I was compelled to offer my assistance.
Back at the Rec. Center, Peter loaded his gear into my pickup. Holding his arm tightly to his body, it was obvious he was in pain. On the drive to his apartment, every bump and pothole in the street caused him discomfort. I felt bad that I could not offer him a more comforting ride. I waited, as he gathered his gear and made his way to the 10th floor of his apartment building.
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| Main lodge complex. |
Soon, he was back, cell phone pasted to his ear. "Lets go to the VA. I am trying to reach somebody to talk to" he said, getting in the truck. During the drive, Peter was on the phone waiting, waiting, punching a digit to transfer to another office. Finally, he gave up saying, "I can't get anybody. I've been transferred from place to place and ended up someplace in Ohio of all places."
I dropped him at the emergency entrance then parked the truck. When I met him in the waiting room, a nurse had taken his vitals. He was waiting to see a doctor. Within 30 minutes, his name was called. A series of xrays later proved Pete had fractured the humerus bone of the left arm below the shoulder joint.
A shot for pain and a sling was administered, plus he was given a prescription for pain. At 9:15 p.m., we headed back to Pete's apartment. I wished him well, as he gingerly got out of the truck and entered the lobby of his apartment building.
I arrived home just before 10. I had kept in touch with my wife so she knew generally what had occurred. After a hot shower, I read a few chapters of "The man who saved the union, U. S. Grant," before bed.
A long and interesting day.
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