NSA Colorado Projects

Here is the latest update on the NSA June Project on the Colorado Trail. Rich Hilderbrand, squad leader, scouted the area by horseback on May 28. Following is his report. If any of you can get away for a couple of days, please join us and help clear a couple of miles of the Colorado Trail. We'll have a good time and a BBQ with some cold beer on Thursday, 6/23 evening. Directions to the campsite and other pertinent project info will be posted on this blog. There is a popular T-shirt sold by The Mountain Chalet, a climbing and outdoor gear shop in Colorado Springs, that says 'Don't Trust Anyone Under 14,000'. In this case, we'll trust any of you jumpers under 10,000' who wish to join us. Come on up and clear some trail!

FROM RICH HILDERBRAND:
Gentlemen, I will forward this, to make sure you all see it.

To provide an update on the Jefferson Creek project June 23 and 24. May 28 I did some reconnaisance on the trail. The trail was being used by bicyclist primarily. Jefferson Creek Campground is at 10,000 feet which is the lowest point in the trail (that we will be working.)

Southwest out of Jefferson Creek Campground. On horseback we went South toward Georgia Pass, but could only got about 1/2 mile before the snow drifts stopped us (about 10, 500 feet by GPS). The snow was melting but drifts remained but should be gone by June 23. There is some clearing of deadfall and small trees growing alongside the trail. A few snags can come down, but we did not find big trees across the trail. This seems easy, but I did not cover about 3 miles of forest, so I would expect some down timber across the trail. This direction is a climb out of the canyon and will be some work on foot (nothing for a young guy, but...)

Northeast out of Jefferson Creek toward Kenosha Pass. Between Jefferson Creek Campground and Highway 285 at Kenosha Pass is about 6 miles. I did not ride the whole distance, but two bicyclist told me there were only 2 big trees down in that 6 miles section. The snow is gone off this section of the trail and there should be no problems. Again, some cutting back of small trees and limbs from the trail, but not major heavy work.

Equipment: We do need a good set of limb clippers (pruning shears) if someone has a set. Other than that, if we can have two chainsaws and the hand tools, we will be fine. Overall, this project does not look too bad. should be able to cover 4 miles in each direction and be done by noon or early afternoon on Fri. You will be home for dinner. Rich

Richard L. Hilderbrand, Ph.D.
Director, Scientific Programs
US Anti-Doping Agency
2550 Tenderfoot Hill Street, Suite 200
Colorado Springs, CO 80906-7346
rhilderbrand@usantidoping.org