Seniors Outdoors! Subgroups
Seniors Outdoors! Social (SOS)
This active group maintains a separate schedule of activities that are open to any member of the club, whether single or not (SOS Schedule). In addition to hikes and other outdoor events, the group organizes numerous social events. These can include: happy hour or dinner at a local restaurant, dinners or potlucks at members’ homes, trips to a local theater to see a movie, and more.
Contact the SOS Coordinator for more information.
Hiking
Wednesday Wanderers
The Wednesday Wanderers group meets every Wednesday throughout the year, weather permitting, to enjoy an easy to moderate hike, usually in Durango or nearby. Wednesday Wanderer outings can be found in the SO! Outing schedule, and are identified by “WW Hike” in the title.
Contact the Wednesday Wanderers Coordinator for more information.
Thursday Easy Outings (TEO)
Thursday Easy Outings (TEO) group welcomes friendly dogs and hikers. No need for RSVP or sign-ups or email notification. Just show up and join the group.
We normally meet at the Rec Center front parking lot between the ball fields and Main Ave. Turn right as you enter the parking lots. You may text Ted if you wish to meet at that week’s trailhead. Normal meeting times will be: 8:30 AM for summer outings, 9 AM for spring and fall outings, and 10 AM for winter snowshoes. See “Snowshoeing – Thursday Snowshoers” below.
For more information contact Ted Keller, preferably by text message at 970 759-7207
Bicycling
Monday Road Bike Rides
Ride details: Monday morning social bike ride from Rec Center’s southwest lot north to CR 203 to Trimble Crossing (PJ’s) where we regroup and stop for food, coffee, and conversation. From PJ’s we’ll take CR 250 back to Rec Center. The emphasis is on health and camaraderie and usually takes about 2 hours with the PJ’s stop. This is a social ride and not training, that said the ride usually splits up into multiple groups going at varying speeds. Helmets required and cell phones requested. Start time varies, 9 or 10 am, depending on the season, see calendar for current times.
Contact John Martin, email: mudpatch22@gmail.com with your name and cell number to get on the bike email list. Text John Martin: 970 749-4056 for time change, route change or cancellations due to weather, etc. If 40 degrees or colder or raining at start time the ride is cancelled.
Thursday Road Bike Rides
Ride Details: Thursday morning social bike ride from the Rec Center’s southwest lot north to CR 203 to US 550 to Baker’s Bridge where we regroup, then return south on CR 250 with a stop at Bread at the end for food, coffee, and conversation. The emphasis is on health and camaraderie and usually takes about 2½ to 3 hours with the Bread stop. This is a social ride and not training, that said the ride usually splits up into multiple groups going at varying speeds. Helmets required, and cell phones requested. Start time varies, 9 or 10 am, depending on the season, see calendar for current times.
First time riders RSVP to ThursdayBikers@seniorsoutdoors.org with your name and cell number to get on the bike email list. Text Rick Boebel: 504 399-0644, Pat Lyon: 970 759-6933, Daniel Saum: 760 803-3202 or Rodger Steeper: 303 247-6019 for time change, route change or cancellations due to weather, etc. If 40 degrees or colder or raining at start time the ride is cancelled.
Skiing
SO! Downhill Ski Group. Meet other SO! skiers and ski with a group at your level on various days throughout the ski season. Skiers and boarders of all abilities welcome. Check Purgatory’s web site for its opening date.
Contact Bruce Rodman at Mtnman16@gmail.com to be placed on the SO! Downhill Ski Group distribution list. Please provide:
- Self-description of your skier abilities, e.g., intermediate, like groomers.
- Land line phone number if available.
- Cell phone number if you carry a cell phone on the mountain.
If you are looking for ski companions of similar abilities, then you may email everyone on the distribution list that you are organizing a ski group on days and start times of your choice. Each group will meet at the base of Lift 1 (the Six Pack lift.) Some will coordinate to car pool from Animas City Park. If Covid restrictions permit, the groups usually meet during the noon hour for lunch at Dante’s when it is open. You could also use the distribution list to arrange trips to other ski areas such as Wolf Creek or Telluride. For more information, contact SO! Downhill Ski Group Coordinator Bruce Rodman at 970-385-7899 or Mtnman16@gmail.com.
Regularly Scheduled Ski Groups.
Mondays beginning January 9: Advanced-Intermediate Skiing. Bruce Rodman will lead advanced and high level intermediate skiers interested mostly in blue and green groomers. Also, we’ll do some easier tree glades and easier black trails when there is good powder snow. We shall meet near the base of Lift 1 (the Six Pack lift) at 10:15 am and stop for lunch at Dante’s during the noon hour. Email Bruce no later than Sunday evening prior if you will join the next day so he will look for you. He will be dressed mostly in black with a red ski jacket. Contact Bruce at Mtnman16@gmail.com.
Mondays beginning February 13: Green/Easy Blue Skiing. Judy Schaefer will lead novice or lower intermediate skiers on novice and easier intermediate slopes as found from Lifts 1, 2 and 4 on the front side of Purgatory. We will meet near the base of Lift 1 (the Six Pack lift) at 9:30 am and stop for lunch at Powderhouse during the noon hour. Lessons for novice skiers are encouraged before joining this group. Email Judy at Judyschaefer28@yahoo.com by 8:30 pm the night before if you will join the next day so she will look for you. She will be dressed in a blue coat with a gray helmet that has a red ribbon on it.
Wednesdays beginning February 15: Mid-level Blue Skiing. Judy Schaefer will lead intermediate skiers on intermediate slopes as found from Lifts 1, 2 and 3, and Lift 8 (if all agree) at Purgatory. We will meet near the base of Lift 1 (the Six Pack lift) at 9:30 am and stop for lunch at either Powderhouse or Dantes during the noon hour. Email Judy at Judyschaefer28@yahoo.com by 8:30 pm the night before if you will join the next day so she will look for you. She will be dressed in a blue coat with a gray helmet that has a red ribbon on it.
Other specific ski groups that meet on a designated schedule may be announced. Check back here.
Snowshoeing
Thursday Snowshoers
On Thursdays, the Easy Hiker group will be snowshoeing on the easier trails in the Haviland Lake, Falls Creek, or Overend Park areas. We will not be in steep enough terrain to warrant avalanche concerns. When possible, the group may return by the original or a slightly more challenging route for those who choose to go the Extra Mile.
Friendly dogs and hikers welcome. No need for RSVP or sign-ups or email notification. Just show up and join the group
We normally meet at the Rec Center front parking lot between the baseball fields and Main Ave, but you may text Ted if you wish to meet at the trailhead.
For more information contact Ted Keller, preferably by text message, at 970-759-7207
Friday Snowshoers
We will continue our tradition of weekly snowshoe outings on Fridays.
Specific details for these Snowshoe outings (leader, destination, description, 4WD, etc.) will be e-mailed about 2-3 days in advance to the group members. There is no limit on participants; if appropriate we may divide into multiple groups. Each group may have a different pace, but there will always be one group that does a moderate pace. Carpool will be from $5 to $11, depending on destination. Dogs are OK if well-behaved.
To get this email, you must sign up for this subgroup. If you were signed up last winter, then you do not need to sign up again.
This is a backcountry winter outing. While we will strive to avoid avalanche danger, all participants should educate themselves about avalanche risks, conditions, and safety.
To sign up for this snowshoe subgroup, send an email to snowshoeing@seniorsoutdoors.org.