The National Smokejumper Association Colorado Chapter site for information on trail and work projects taking place in Colorado. Maintained by Bill Ruskin (CJ '58).
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Colorado Projects Update
Warren Pierce CJ'64, Richard Hilderbrand MSO'66 and myself met with George Miller of the CTF this morning for breakfast. We harrassed the waitress for awhile then discussed the 2005 NSA Colorado projects.
DOWNFALL REMOVAL PROJECT- June 23-24, 2005, on the Colorado Trail west of Denver near Kenosha Pass on the Pike National Forest, at about 9000-11000 feet elevation. Richard Hilderbrand is the squad leader. The project consists of the removal of dry downfall that has been laying on the trail for some time. No previous volunteer crew has been able to cut out the bigger downfall along this stretch of the trail from the Jefferson Creek Campground, although some of the smaller stuff has been removed over the years. We will be cutting up to 20" downfall 3-4 miles in both directions along the trail from the campground.
Jumpers will assemble at the Jefferson Creek Campground and be ready to begin work NLT 0930 on 23 June. All volunteers will provide their own food, long sleeve work shirts, good work boots and leather gloves. Hard hats will be provided. Chain saws will be used and there will be more information about the chain saws on this blog later. There will be a safety meeting and equipment check at the campground before commencing work. Hilderbrand will assign crews to tasks at that time. One problem we have is the required campground fee and Miller is going to meet with USFS to discuss waiver of the campground fees. If the USFS can't waive the fees we plan to request a small grant (estimated $200) from the NSA Trail Advisory Board to cover this cost. Another issue is the deep snow currently in the area but by the end of June we should be okay.
At the present we have six jumpers and two CTF volunteers confirmed. We are still seeking volunteers for this project and if any of you from out of state want to join us, let us know and we will help work out the details of your travel schedule. Stay tuned to this blog for updates on this project.
FRENCHMANS CREEK PROJECT- September 07-11, 2005 on the Colorado Trail about 12 miles north of Buena Vista on the west side of Highway 24. Hal Howell MSO'55 is squadleader for this project. The project work site is in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area, and we will have our base camp outside the wilderness area. The general nature of the work is drainage remediation consisting of numerous foot bridges (no gabions required this year) and culverts. There are numerous bridges that are in need of replacement in this area, and depending on time and the size of the crew we end up with we will expand the scope of work as needed. At this time ther are 13 jumpers confirmed for this project and if you are intersted in signing up, you are welcome. Just send your sign up sheet to Jon McBride in Missoula. The CTF can support a smokejumper crew as large as 25-30 with a complete tool inventory, a full field kitchen, warming tent, eating shelter and shower tent. That's it for this report. Check this blog periodically for updates and publish your comments or questions on the blog.
DOWNFALL REMOVAL PROJECT- June 23-24, 2005, on the Colorado Trail west of Denver near Kenosha Pass on the Pike National Forest, at about 9000-11000 feet elevation. Richard Hilderbrand is the squad leader. The project consists of the removal of dry downfall that has been laying on the trail for some time. No previous volunteer crew has been able to cut out the bigger downfall along this stretch of the trail from the Jefferson Creek Campground, although some of the smaller stuff has been removed over the years. We will be cutting up to 20" downfall 3-4 miles in both directions along the trail from the campground.
Jumpers will assemble at the Jefferson Creek Campground and be ready to begin work NLT 0930 on 23 June. All volunteers will provide their own food, long sleeve work shirts, good work boots and leather gloves. Hard hats will be provided. Chain saws will be used and there will be more information about the chain saws on this blog later. There will be a safety meeting and equipment check at the campground before commencing work. Hilderbrand will assign crews to tasks at that time. One problem we have is the required campground fee and Miller is going to meet with USFS to discuss waiver of the campground fees. If the USFS can't waive the fees we plan to request a small grant (estimated $200) from the NSA Trail Advisory Board to cover this cost. Another issue is the deep snow currently in the area but by the end of June we should be okay.
At the present we have six jumpers and two CTF volunteers confirmed. We are still seeking volunteers for this project and if any of you from out of state want to join us, let us know and we will help work out the details of your travel schedule. Stay tuned to this blog for updates on this project.
FRENCHMANS CREEK PROJECT- September 07-11, 2005 on the Colorado Trail about 12 miles north of Buena Vista on the west side of Highway 24. Hal Howell MSO'55 is squadleader for this project. The project work site is in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area, and we will have our base camp outside the wilderness area. The general nature of the work is drainage remediation consisting of numerous foot bridges (no gabions required this year) and culverts. There are numerous bridges that are in need of replacement in this area, and depending on time and the size of the crew we end up with we will expand the scope of work as needed. At this time ther are 13 jumpers confirmed for this project and if you are intersted in signing up, you are welcome. Just send your sign up sheet to Jon McBride in Missoula. The CTF can support a smokejumper crew as large as 25-30 with a complete tool inventory, a full field kitchen, warming tent, eating shelter and shower tent. That's it for this report. Check this blog periodically for updates and publish your comments or questions on the blog.
