The bus splashed to a stop off the edge of the road. Snowshoes were errantly piled in the back of the bus, where they would sit unused. Students reluctantly swapped their street shoes for snow boots and emerged into the 45 degree sunshine. Soil, saturated with snowmelt, squished coolly beneath our feet as we started our Winter Adaptations program for the day.
This was one of many learning experiences staff members at San Juan Mountains Association have encountered over the past nine months of program development in what we are calling the North Region, which encompasses a broad swath of land from Ouray to Gunnison.
Our work has focused on utilizing the Top of the Pines property, a 175-acre open space preserve owned by Ouray County and located at the foot of the Sneffels Range, to host outdoor preparedness and naturalist skills education.
Since October, the site’s changing seasonal conditions – from fall warmth and early frosts to fresh snowfall and muddy thaws – have provided valuable, hands-on learning experiences that challenge students to adapt and take notice of our constantly changing environment.
Additional groups, including students from Montrose Centennial Middle School, have joined winter sessions, exploring snow science, snow layers and winter travel techniques – even when fluctuating temperatures made conditions unpredictable.
The Top of the Pines program was one initiative we’ve taken on in developing SJMA’s offerings north of Red Mountain Pass.
Additionally, on Valentine's Day, SJMA launched its Nature in 4 Seasons program. This four-part seasonal hiking series introduces participants to the complex ecological relationships within the landscape. The first hike took place below the Ouray Amphitheater, offering participants a chance to explore winter conditions firsthand. The next part of the series May 2 will focus on spring conditions.
Looking ahead, we are preparing for a rebound of interest in the Blue Lakes area. This area was closed for restoration and improvements in 2025. As the area emerges from spring, we are expecting a flush of visitors. SJMA volunteers and members should plan to hear more about expanded stewardship efforts at this busy trail.
This summer, three new programs will launch in partnership with the Montrose Recreation District: a weekly Kids Tracker program in June, a two-day Adult Naturalist Awareness course in July and an Outdoor Preparedness program in August. Additionally, a teen adventure program will be offered in collaboration with Voyager Youth Program.
If you are interested in any of these programs, or other North Region offerings, email John Malloy at jmalloy@sjma.org.
John Malloy is SJMA’s North Region Program Coordinator.
