NSA Colorado Projects

Colorado September NSA Trail Project Details Posted

Colorado Springs, CO - Recent communication among Warren Pierce, CJ64, Jeff Leisy, Trails Coordinator, Leadville Ranger District, Pike San Isabel NF, and Brenda Dolan Hobgood, Volunteer Projects Manager with the Continental Divide Trails Alliance (CDTA) confirmed the NSA September 2006 Colorado Trail Project. The Colorado Trail Foundation’s (CTF) through George Miller, CTF Field Project Manager will provide logistic support for the NSA trail crew.
LOCATION: The South Elbert Project site is in the Mt Massive Wilderness NW of Twin Lakes Reservoir, 22 miles south of Leadville on US24 to Balltown then west about 5 miles on State Highway 82 towards Independence Pass. The base camp will be dispersed, 4-wheel drive accessible and located somewhere NW of Lake View Campground at the western end of Twin Lakes Reservoir. We will scout the area after the snow melts and find a great private campsite.
PROJECT: There is heavy trail work planned in this area during most weekends this summer. These weekend crews will be digging about six miles of trail on old jeep roads and informal trails in an area where the Colorado Trail and the Continental Divide Trail will join for several miles. The NSA smokejumper crew has been assigned the more ‘technical aspects of the project’. NSA volunteers will use treated timbers to build a bridge/s; construct retaining walls; reinforce the trail where needed and construct a turnpike which is described as a build-up of a section of a trail over a wet area. This requires bringing dirt to the build-up site and also cutting timber to create the turnpike.
CROSSCUT / CHAINSAW CERTIFICATION: We are continuing the effort to arrange certification. At this time there are two options: One is two get at least four smokejumpers together for a private eight- hour crosscut training session. The other option is to join a district saw course in June, which would certify for both the chainsaw and crosscut. There would be no charge for either course and it is hands on training in the woods cutting down trees. Apparently only one person needs to be certified on the crosscut, so a non-certified person can pull from the other end. (As far as we know at this posting, the non-certified end of the saw has not been designated by any government agency). It is important that some of us get certified, so please contact one of us if you are interested in either of these options. Lack of saw certification may affect our ability to participate in projects on federal land. Contact warrenlpierce@msn.com or bruskin1@earthlkink.net and we will try to get some dates lined up.
Stay in touch with NSA trail activities in Montana, Idaho, Alaska and Colorado by checking this blog and nsatrail.blogspot.com periodically. NOTE: You can comment on anything posted on the blog by just clicking “comments” below the posting. Everyone can then read your comments. Also be sure to get your sign up sheets into Jon McBride for either or both of the Colorado projects. We will also have to complete paper work with the CTF and probably the CDTA, but we can deal with that later.

Here's the latest on plans/activities for NSA trail work in Colorado:
JUNE PROJECT: Squad Leader: Richard Hilderbrand. Recon Date: June 03. Project dates: June 22/23. Location: Pike/ San Isabel National Forest in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area between Buena Vista and Leadville, CO. Task: Construct two bridges over Frenchman Creek with native materials.
SEPTEMBER PROJECT: Cooperative project with Continental Divide Trails Alliance / Colorado Trail Foundation / NSA Trail Maintenance Crew. Squad Leader TBA. Recon Date: TBA. Project dates: September 6-10. Task: Details of project will be finalized and posted shortly.
CROSSCUT SAW SHORT COURSE CERTIFICATION: The USFS, Pike San Isabel NF, Leadville District is willing to set up a one-day short course certification class specifically for smokejumpers. Minimum of six jumpers needed to make it happen. Please advise Warren Pierce at warrenlpierce@msn.com if you are interested in getting certififed and he will get a date set up.
TRAILFEST 2006, Buena Vista, CO July 16. Very little information at this time but Missoula NSA Trail Maintenance Hqs. concurs that it would be a positive move to participate in this Trailfest. If anyone is available and willing to take on the responsibity for this task please contract Warren Pierce at email address above.
Please check this site periodically for current project status.