Out with the Dead

Our logging crew has started hauling away the beetle killed trees. This portion of the timber sale is being taken to a commercial firewood dealer in Poncha Springs. This is a much closer haul for the trucks than the commercial mill in Montrose that has been used in recent years. The Little Blue Project on US Highway 50 has also…

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Thinning Underway

The crew from Miller Timber has started clearing out dead standing timber from our slopes that have been impacted by the spruce beetle. This crew uses specialized Ponsse machines made in Finland. We are using two pieces of equipment for this project. One is called a harvester and the other is a forwarder. Both machines are able to utilize a…

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CDNST/CT Detour

As users utilize the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST) and the Colorado Trail (CT) it is easy to see the many trees that have been affected by the spruce beetle endemic. To address this issue, the Monarch Pass Vegetation Management Project was implemented in 2018. This multi-year project, approved via a Decision Memo by the Supervisor of the Pike…

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Logging Work

We plan to begin commercial logging work with Miller Timber Services on July 1st. This is the same crew that conducted harvesting work across the highway on Monarch Ridge last summer and fall. This initial work will be a portion of our efforts in the third year of the Monarch Pass Vegetation Management Project. This project aims to remove dead…

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Paradise

We are underway with the expansion of our upper parking lot…aka the Paradise Lot. We plan to add approximately 200 new spots up there while still maintaining skier access to the Ramble On ski trail. The lot will grow in size in all directions and the access road from the main lot that loops to the south of the Paradise…

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Hooligans

It was great to see Salida’s premier event back at our town’s signature event. FIBArk returned this weekend in (almost) full force after a long year of dealing with the pandemic. PT and Mike entertained the crowd like they have for decades and it was amazing to laugh and feel normal. Kudos to the FIBArk board for all the planning…

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