Thanks to a suggestion from Jean, Thursday 10 October we will start out on Snooks Bottom, which is a lake park in Fruita and then proceed to top Opal Hill.
Snooks Bottom is an area off Kings View Road, where we will circle the lake for about 1.2 miles of fairly flat trail and then proceed to the nearby Opal Hill, where we will hike to the top for another 2.8 miles. A wonderful view of the Devils Canyon is to be accomplished at the top. Are there opals on the hill? Maybe at one time there was some petrified wood that was opalized by silicon deposit solutions; but most of that is picked over. Possibly a rainstorm will uncover some in the future. I would call this hike moderate, cause we have to circle up a hill; but it is fairly easy for a hill climb. It will be near perfect weather of sunny and temperatures in the 60’s. We are likely to see colorful collared lizards, if they all haven’t gone to bed for the winter.
The hike will take about 2.5 hours. Could you do just Snooks Bottom? Yes, if you let me know that you are dropping out, so I do not look for you–possibly fallen into the lake. Maybe some want to do that to escape to the New Dimensions talk on Western Colorado Folklore at noon.
Meet at the Colorado Welcome Center in Fruita at 0845, (on the South side) where we will carpool to the trailhead. Lunch afterwards is optional. How about Rib City Grill this time? It won the 1st prize for barbeque restaurants in the “Best of the West” Contest.
-Douglas
Now I will give you something to rattle in your head while you are hiking:
You’re the top!
You’re the Coliseum
You’re the top!
You’re the Louver Museum
You’re a melody from a symphony by Strauss
You’re a Bendel bonnet
A Shakespeare’s sonnet
You’re Mickey Mouse
You’re the Nile
You’re the Tower of Pisa
You’re the smile on the Mona Lisa
I’m a worthless check, a total wreck, a flop
But if, baby, I’m the bottom, you’re the top
Cole Porter 1934
