NSA Colorado Projects

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.