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 31, 2005
Jefferson Creek Colorado Trail Project Update
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
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
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.
Friday, May 13, 2005
Current NSA Colorado project status
There is no new information since the first (and last) "bulletin" was emailed to all on the list. Several of us are meeting with George Miller, operations manager for the CTF on May 17 to discuss both the June and September projects. We will post an update on this blog following the meeting and addtional information as it becomes available. It will be your responsibilty to check the blog periodically for current project status. Please post your comments or questions on the blog. This forum will keep everyone updated with a minimun of work. More later.
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Colorado Projects Blog
As coordinator of the NSA Colorado trail projects, I've decided to create this blog instead of sending out a lot of emails. It will serve as a one-stop resource for all NSA-related projects in Colorado. Yesterday I couldn't spell blogger, today I are one. But this blog will have several advantages over the email battle. 1. You only have check into the blog to get an update on the Colorado Projects and won't be bothered with another email from me to deal with. 2. If you change your email address, you won't miss any information and I won't have to worry about tracking you when my email to you is returned. 3. This blog is for every jumper interested in working on trail/conservation projects in Colorado. Everyone can comment and exchange information and ideas without the hassel of numerous email addresses.
