NSA Colorado Projects

Here is the latest on the project:
MEETING PLACE: Hal would like all jumpers who can make it, to meet at the Tennessee Pass Cafe on the main drag in Leadville at 12:00 on 7 September before convoying to camp at 13:00. If you can't make it by noon, go directly to camp (for location see previous blog posting).
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER: Cell phones probably won't work, so here is a number in the event of an emergency: USFS District Ranger Office, Leadvillle, CO 719-486-0749, Jim Zornes, District Ranger
OTHER INFO: Herm Ball can't make the project this year-we'll miss you Herm! Ray Carter has been signed up but some how omitted on the roster-sorry, Ray! Jimmie Dollard has volunteered to pick up Hal Howell and grandson at DIA and bring them to camp. Ray Carter says he can also pick up at DIA and has offered room and beer to anyone who is arriving early and needs a place to stay. Here is an email from James Cherry regarding NSA trail crew caps and tees

"I have no problem accessing the blog site. It helped with you wrote to not use the www. before entering the blog address.

Could you make mention to the crew that I will have a supply of the shirts and caps available for sale? Here is the information...

We have worked with GEM Design, the same company that has done work for us in the past, and, with the help of Tom Kovalicky, we were able to come up with the old stencil pattern many of us put on the back of our shirts... the USFS shield with wings. The T-shirts will also have a left chest and sleeve imprint.

In addition, children/youth sizes have been ordered so we can pick up some for those grandchildren. Check with family to see what sizes you should by buying. (Children/youth shirts have been ordered in sizes S, M, L, XL)

If you are concerned about being able to get what you want, you may email me at jjcherry@netins.net and place an advance order and your shirts will be set aside for you. I will be able to receive your order until noon on September 5. Then I start driving to Colorado.

Prices are as follows:
a.. Adult T's $15 Colors: Athletic Heather or Steel Blue
b.. Bucket hats $13 3 colors plus a camo to choose from
c.. Children/Youth T's $12 Colors: Ash or Royal
d.. Baseball Cap $7 Black or Tan colors to choose from
e.. Combination purchase of an adult T and a Bucket hat $25
f.. Multiple purchase of children's T's 1 @ $12, 2 @ $20, each additional purchase @ $10
There is a small profit from the sale of these shirts/hats and that is used to help fund the trails program. The cause is indeed worthy."

BLOGGERS NOTE: Jim is also bringing a jar of his world famous honey for everyone. Thanks, JIM!

Jim Cherry
2335 300th St.
Ventura, IA 50482
641-927-4428
641-927-4429 Fax
jjcherry@netins.net

That's it for now. If you have any questions, give me a call or send an email to bruskin@qualitygolf.net

END OF THIS POST

Tacoma, Washington: Hal Howell, squadleader in cooperation with George Miller, chief field honcho for the CTF announced plans today for NSA's 2005 Trail Project #12 and the fourth NSA trail project in Colorado

Colorado and Continental Divide Trails- Hagerman Pass Project-September 7-11, 2005

Location: The project will be located on the San Isabel National Forest about 8 miles west of Leadville, Colorado. Base camp will be at the USFS May Queen Campground located at the west end of Turquoise Lake at an elevation of approximately 10,000'’. The work this year is on both the Colorado Trail and the Continental Divide Trail, which overlap in this area.
Project Tasks: There are four(4) tasks to be accomplished by the crew:
1. Hagerman Pass segment of the Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trail. There is about 1.5 miles of trail in this area that is in extremely bad condition and the task here will be to rebuild the trail. This will require at least two-days work and if completed, the crew will move on to another segment of the trail that needs work.
2. Wurts Ditch. The USFS did a reroute of about one mile of trail in this area and the old trail needs to be closed by covering it with brush and rock. Chain saws will be required for this assignment. When this task is completed, the crew can do some upgrading on the new trail.
3. Trail Sign Work. There is work to be done on some of the signs in the area including adding signs and Continental Divide Trail logos to some existing signposts in the area. Some of the sign work will be done in the Lost Canyon Camping area. This will be a good task for 2-3 crewmembers not up to hiking every day, although the hiking overall will be minimal, except for task #4.
4. Frenchman Creek: This scouting task will require the better part of the day for 2-3 jumpers involving a 4-wheel drive and a three-mile hike into the Mount Massive Wilderness to determine what it'’s going to take in terms of manpower and equipment to construct a new bridge over Frenchman Creek. This could be on the scale of the Cochetopa Creek project last year. Time allowing, the crew will also scout north from Frenchman Creek to Morrison Creek and determine what will be necessary to clean up the drainage problems at that site. It may turn out that the Frenchman Creek bridge will be the project for the NSA June 2006 two-day project, or combined with Morrison Creek, the NSA /CTF September project for 2006.


NOTES:
1. The NSA Colorado Crew this year consists of 14 smokejumpers, one associate member, Hal's grandson, and four volunteers from the CTF (also associate members) for a total of 20 volunteers.
2. The Colorado Trail Foundation (CTF) will provide full logistic support including all meals (including plates and utensils) beginning with dinner at 17:00 on 07 September and ending with breakfast at 07:00 on 11 September. In addition, the CTF will provide a fully equipped tool truck, a cook tent, a dining tent and a morning coffee-warming tent. The crew will erect shower shelter and 2.5 gallon sun showers will be available. If any of you want to arrive early on 7 September to help set up camp, you are welcome.
3. The CTF will support the NSA with four volunteers, including Princess Sue Palmer, the cook. Three volunteers, George Miller, John Lipe, and Stan Ward will work with the crews as assigned by squad leader Hal Howell.
4.Hiking will be minimal this year as we will work out of a base camp and drive to several of the projects sites. The working and hiking will be down hill with a trek back to the vehicle at the days end. On Task One the end of the trail is not far from camp, and this will avoid a hike uphill.
5. Personal Equipment: See the Suggested Minimal Personal Equipment For NSA Trail Maintenance List provided by the Missoula Trail Headquarters. You may also want to seriously consider a warm fleece for evenings and early morning. We may find “ice in the bucket” in the mornings at 10’000 feet’ in September. And don'’t forget to BYOB or whatever you prefer to drink and mug for coffee.
6. Weather: Colorado is experiencing the August '‘monsoon'’, which is more normal than the past few years. George Miller reports that volunteers on the Colorado Trail now, have been getting hit with regular showers in the PM. This wet period is usually followed by a dryer September, but who knows. Your best bet is to check www.weather.com and keep an eye on the 10-day forecast for Leadville, Colorado.
7. Historic Sites: While you are in the area you may want to allow some time to visit the mining museum in Leadville, Camp Hale-the original training camp for the famous 10th Mountain Division, and the mining and ski town of Breckenridge
8. Cost: There is no cost to you other than getting to camp for this adventure in high Colorado. The NSA Trials Advisory Committee, has agreed once again to reimburse the CTF for the food. But after the project and before the holidays we should have a 'beer call'’ and discuss some options on how the NSA Colorado Chapter might secure some grants to cover the cost of future projects in Colorado. Maybe we can discuss this at camp one night.

FINAL IMPORTANT NOTE: Please advise Bill Ruskin at bruskin@qualitygolf.net if you are planning on bringing a truck mounted camper or RV. We need to reserve camping spaces in addition to the area we have reserved for tents. Please do this ASAP. Check nsacoprojects.blogspot.com for updates which will include emergency contact phone numbers. We will advise if cell phones work in this area.

Here is the latest from George Milller (field /operations coordinator for the CTF) on the Colorado Trail September project. There are 15 jumpers signed up as 04 Aug.

"Bill, I have been working on a plan for this project but I still don't have final decisions. I ruled out the Frenchman's Creek bridge due to difficult access. It requires a hard 3 mile drive in and then a hard 1 1/2 mile walk to the worksite. It is in the Wilderness so no chainsaws.

I am going to spend next week scouting and should have a decision by next weekend.

Otherwise the support will be the same as last year plus plates and utensils and anything else we think of.

We can work out menu's anytime. We don't need much lead time on that.

I will get back to you as soon as I get things scoped out." George 04 Aug 05

Just returned from the NSA Grand Jean project and it was a "grand time" working with smokejumpers from nine states in the magnificent Sawtooths. Beautiful weather, great food, hard work and in the sack by 9:30 (and it was still light!) Did we have fun or what? On return I sent an email to George Miller of the CTF requesting some specifics on the remaining NSA trail project for 2005. Apparently George is out wandering around on the Colorado Trail and I received the following response from Stan Ward a CTF volunteer who was with us last year and responded for George:
Bill,
Unfortunately, no one but George knows the wheres and whats of the forthcoming NSA crew. All I know is that it will be a series of small projects near Leadville, presumably at pretty high elevations - say, about 11,000 feet.
I am leaving August 9 and will no return until the end of the month. So, sorry to say, I'm not of much help.
But, I can assure you that we will have paper plates and utensils with us this year! Also, Sue was in Montana with Hal and I suspect they worked out some menu ideas.
I guess we all will have to wait on George's return.
Stan
"Tis a privilege to live in Colorado"
From what George Told me earlier in the summer the NSA crew will be working out of a base camp in a beautiful camping area. We will break up into crews and work on numerous water mitigation projects including more bridges but none the size we built over Cochitopa Creek last September. Hiking will be minimal and we won't have a 'hole" to descend into and climb out of each day..
If you are signed up for the Colorado Project, check this blog weekly for updates. I'll post information as I get it from the CTF and George Miller. If you are not signed up, it's not too late to join us for a great project in the Colorado high country.