tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30481446846857093272024-02-07T17:01:04.849-08:00Ruby Mountain TrailsA blog by and for people who use, love, and want more trails in the Ruby Mountains of Northeastern Nevada.mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-13397696928960812672021-08-15T00:15:00.019-07:002021-08-15T20:25:03.345-07:00Lamoille Canyon Road - closure update and recreational impacts<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8eXhdfUZh_8P05Qb9ZckIfG2KFubBddFY4dNiUmizb-Vmcw8ru8Atmi1xK4S_a1NZVbOJ2-SrafRJ-44bR17u9IyPebyS0JHf5DedCQA1WJpZfaML5ZSXgN5LAC7NKPo8wijAwk1NFkc/s1169/Ken+and+rockfall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="1169" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8eXhdfUZh_8P05Qb9ZckIfG2KFubBddFY4dNiUmizb-Vmcw8ru8Atmi1xK4S_a1NZVbOJ2-SrafRJ-44bR17u9IyPebyS0JHf5DedCQA1WJpZfaML5ZSXgN5LAC7NKPo8wijAwk1NFkc/w400-h225/Ken+and+rockfall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />When they tell you that there's 6000 yards of debris covering the Lamoille Canyon Road, it's hard to imagine what that looks like. The photos of the damage done by monsoonal rains just don't show the scale of what needs to happen to re-open Lamoille Canyon Road to vehicle traffic. Nor does it give any inkling of how the Forest Service is going to get it done with the relative pittance (about $100,000 at the moment) they have to work with. They have 20 - count 'em - landslides to clean up, most of which went from the ridge tops, over the road, and all the way to the creek in the canyon bottom. There were more, but those smaller slides just created instability, not clean-up problems.<br /><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PrcmQ6aZfBYCQFVYRUpqN7q9FVm_5MbeVvw7Tn7YpB_xZ1hre2jFhzCIDcoWoN9wj4r-DjbIqZaGSrGdN35qULiWC-PkKFPpZ2otRleCPjgnHsyz38p-Wyy5e0byOakNLZAli-bZhwM6/s2048/Gully.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PrcmQ6aZfBYCQFVYRUpqN7q9FVm_5MbeVvw7Tn7YpB_xZ1hre2jFhzCIDcoWoN9wj4r-DjbIqZaGSrGdN35qULiWC-PkKFPpZ2otRleCPjgnHsyz38p-Wyy5e0byOakNLZAli-bZhwM6/w400-h225/Gully.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Ken and I toured the canyon this evening with hydrologist Robin Wignall from the USFS, one of the professionals responsible for managing the response to the mudslides. It was, honestly, fascinating to see the results of Mother Nature's handiwork. And, as with all events like this, there are incidences of gobsmacking good luck, opportunities hidden in the debris, and a lengthy to-do list before full access to the canyon can be restored.</p><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">What Happened</h3>For those following along at home - over the course of less than 72 hours, July 30th - August 1st, sections of Lamoille Canyon from about Pete's Corner to the Terraces Picnic grounds received up to eight inches of rain. That's a quarter of the precipitation that Lamoille Canyon usually gets per annum. <i>In a matter of hours. </i>That's the kind of storm that happens once in 500 years. <br /><br />In response, landslides came down from the steep slopes onto Lamoille Canyon Road, burying the road in massive rocks and silty mud as much as 10 feet deep. At least half of the slide activity happened above the burn scar from 2018's Range Two fire, so while some of the damage is attributable to the fire, a lot of it isn't. Culverts under the road are blocked and/or washed away, and water continues to run down the road in places. Slopes above the road are unstable, and another sudden storm could have devastating effect. The Elko County Sheriff's Office had to mount an emergency evacuation effort to get campers out of the Thomas Canyon Campground, the first time because of fears of flash flooding, the second time because of the landslides blocking the road and threatening more rockfall. The Elko County Road Department also provided emergency response, including heavy equipment and manpower, to get the road passable by vehicles so that trapped recreationists could get out, and so that USFS crews could start working to rectify the damage.<br /><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cBv5s6gqhoVfRScGyQvuPvca3-YrHsyAWaS8SujzSmQCS6AZFPYd_xL8L_0MgDcRDZKex8FcZ7nh2C76GLDtmRuGARazwDZyzVoGWxgDRYCOQmA1ZKbA6o2DmxuARhlyRg2A_c_tokwk/s2048/Pete%2527s+Corner.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cBv5s6gqhoVfRScGyQvuPvca3-YrHsyAWaS8SujzSmQCS6AZFPYd_xL8L_0MgDcRDZKex8FcZ7nh2C76GLDtmRuGARazwDZyzVoGWxgDRYCOQmA1ZKbA6o2DmxuARhlyRg2A_c_tokwk/w400-h225/Pete%2527s+Corner.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road damage at Pete's Corner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>As of now, the road is closed to motorized vehicles at the first pullout, across from the Lamoille-Talbot trailhead. The closure is to allow construction/debris clearance crews to work more efficiently, and because there is significant instability above the road. At this point it's doubtful that an ambulance or other vehicle in a hurry could get through. The road is open to foot traffic and bicycles all the way to road's end, and while we were there we saw bike tracks and a pair of trail runners fully enjoying the unusual solitude provided by the closures. <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAck3HXzw63aPP-JDCBe28F3paTc7WdQNz3N9w11Zh0jg5AYLB9wk-eCHxrouuTvIm1EKN8Y-cG6qHwJADXLum-_dWL53CV9-oKSN8f4d9_Wz4GHbeslj8aFvbEXgxlCxxTX3oNNPgfqpy/s2048/Runner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAck3HXzw63aPP-JDCBe28F3paTc7WdQNz3N9w11Zh0jg5AYLB9wk-eCHxrouuTvIm1EKN8Y-cG6qHwJADXLum-_dWL53CV9-oKSN8f4d9_Wz4GHbeslj8aFvbEXgxlCxxTX3oNNPgfqpy/w400-h225/Runner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>The next steps</b></h3>On our tour today, we saw four places where the road is damaged to the point where motorist safety would be compromised, but there is a lot of debris on the road with no inkling of what might be under all of that rock. The USFS *just* finished a $900,000 chip seal project, so workers are doing everything possible to preserve the blacktop and not have to re-do a lot of road that just got rebuilt.<br /><br />The agency has been able to rob Peter to pay Paul and come up with $100,000 from various pots, but that isn't close to enough money to clear the road and repair the damage. They are working with other USFS districts in Utah and Idaho, that experienced damage from the same storm system, to apply for a grant from the Federal Highway Administration. Unfortunately, the earliest those funds would come through would be after Thanksgiving, meaning that they'll be operating on a very slim shoestring until then. There is other grant money out there that they can (and will) pursue, but none of that money will show up quickly, which means that repairs can't happen in a hurry. It can only happen as the money comes in. Since the road is officially a Forest route, not a state highway, state highway resources aren't available, and work done by either the state or county would need to be reimbursed.<br /><br />The USFS is renting heavy equipment from all over the western US to use on the project - a hot commodity, as much of it is already committed to firefighting. And - as a hot commodity, the price of heavy equipment rental is only going up. In one instance, the USFS was outbid for heavy equipment by a large utility company, since the utility was able to pay more for the rental than the USFS can. The first of the equipment the USFS has secured arrives tomorrow. Because they have the equipment for such a short period of time, and because time is money when equipment is idling, the Canyon road will be closed to ALL traffic, including foot and bicycle traffic, while the equipment is operating. The USFS just doesn't have the money to manage for any kind of ongoing traffic while repairs are going on.<br /><br />They hope to have the road open to Thomas Canyon Campground in 4-6 weeks, obviously depending on what they find under the debris. They are hoping to get at least parts of it open sooner. Pete's Corner and points beyond are likely to be single-lane traffic until they can come up with money to repair the places where the slides chewed up the road and removed the retaining walls. While it's likely that cars won't have problems getting through, people pulling camp trailers may have difficulties, and the USFS may have to limit the length of trailers that can pass that point. It's all a big wait and see.<br /><br />Groups that had the Lion's Camp rented still have access to that camp, and cabin owners still have access to their cabins. People who had spaces rented at Thomas Canyon Campground will not be able to access the campground until the road is officially re-opened. Terraces Picnic Area is inaccessible due to road closures, but Powerhouse Picnic Area is operating normally.<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Some crazy good luck</b></h3><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqc4JAlkSfmuTkDZuOhLRHtKrpdY_UH8l68kO0G89WUYI2T-lsinlLsfLKfD8BSzAUKG_i90DMFvLTc3x15dDg4iQS0fjLGAnTScnufkzBclhDdPGx5yNH9UmpIpxxL6DFzSuRl-mk_f-6/s2048/Cabin.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqc4JAlkSfmuTkDZuOhLRHtKrpdY_UH8l68kO0G89WUYI2T-lsinlLsfLKfD8BSzAUKG_i90DMFvLTc3x15dDg4iQS0fjLGAnTScnufkzBclhDdPGx5yNH9UmpIpxxL6DFzSuRl-mk_f-6/w400-h225/Cabin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The slides ran right through the cabin area - without burying any cabins</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Even though the road is spectacularly buried in a lot of places, this event COULD have been a whole lot worse than it was. Nobody died, which was a very real possibility. Thomas Canyon Campground was undamaged. The cabins were mostly undamaged, although the slides came right through the cabin area and the cabin access road is impassable in places. The USFS had completed a scaling project in the Narrows just last year, and so a lot of rocks that otherwise would have been candidates for smashing into cars and bikes had already been removed. The Backcountry Horsemen and Friends of Nevada Wilderness had re-established the old Colonel Moore Trail after the 2018 Range Two fire, meaning that trail access to Liberty Lake and points beyond is still available. The dead mahoganies burned in the fire remain rooted enough to provide some slope stability, and likely helped prevent worse damage. The Scout Camp was undamaged, as were the hiking trails up Right Fork, Thomas Canyon, and at Road's End. The road damage isn't catastrophic, and with some work the road can be made passable again. Some of the dispersed camping near the Lion's Camp is inaccessible due to a road washout, but the road is repairable and the bridge over Lamoille Creek was undamaged. The storm cells don't appear to have been as ferocious above the Terraces Picnic Ground, so (perhaps amazingly) the Verdi Chutes didn't slide. The bridges on the Island and Lamoille Lake Trails weren't damaged. The Nature Trail was largely undamaged, as well.<br /><br /><b>What this means for recreation<br /></b><br />HIKERS - The Lamoille Canyon terminus of the Ruby Crest Trail, as well as the Island Lake trail, aren't going to be accessible by vehicle any time soon. Those planning on Ruby Crest Trail trips are best served by exiting/entering via the Colonel Moore Trailhead, on the Ruby Valley side of the mountains. Would-be Lamoille Canyon dayhikers have access to the Lamoille-Talbot trailhead at the mouth of the canyon, or can walk up the road a few miles to access the Right Fork and Thomas Canyon trails - while the heavy equipment isn't operating. The Lamoille Canyon end of the old guide trail from Pete's Corner to Talbot Canyon was washed out... hopefully money for re-establishing the trail can be part of the Pete's Corner repair project.<br /><br />CYCLISTS - The road is open to bicycles to Road's End, as long as the heavy equipment isn't operating. The road is passible by road bikes, but there is a significant amount of gravel on the road, and a gravel bike might be safer. The road up to Pete's Corner is largely clear. <br /><br />HUNTERS - Those scouting hunts are going to face the same limitations as hikers. The road is closed to all motorized vehicles just past the first pullout, so scouts will need to travel on foot or horseback. Access to the high country for hikers and horsemen is via the Colonel Moore Trail, the Overland Trail, Krenka Creek, Secret Pass, Rattlesnake Canyon, Soldier Canyon or Harrison Pass.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPUclW_huWgBhK_YOE6SuZvK8Bqlyl01tzoXnRLLO8uiKxjfRT9aGnli4N8xrMOdygtxLRoP7nNf7TQAcsx7MwfHGWZgAivtiQsEd-ODmj4Lp8GYIt2oXswPB5YTtWGxYivQzUDGXmEL7/s2048/Dead+Snag.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPUclW_huWgBhK_YOE6SuZvK8Bqlyl01tzoXnRLLO8uiKxjfRT9aGnli4N8xrMOdygtxLRoP7nNf7TQAcsx7MwfHGWZgAivtiQsEd-ODmj4Lp8GYIt2oXswPB5YTtWGxYivQzUDGXmEL7/w400-h225/Dead+Snag.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dead Snag access trail is largely gone</td></tr></tbody></table><p>ROCK CLIMBERS - The Sport Rocks area is largely undamaged, although there is significant instability and the risk of rockfall is real. The Buttresses are largely unaffected. The approach to Dead Snag Wall was one of the more damaged portions of the canyon - the small stream crossing on the approach trail became a raging torrent and dumped tons of rock and debris on the road. The access trail is largely gone. Odin's was a massive wash-out... conditions depending, it may now be a very interesting alpine climb/ski descent in the winter, to rival Terminal Cancer Couloir.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybdnhwB322hP15QkNjezo9lJ3D3kVzlXtjSPdItyy1amR9SWCwV03svlpdn84X5hfH6wZtreLHV0IIxGNXaVZVKM1qOg4SXH0bXBUz1soxMwbQGoVFt__PsPAC1hidFU-UHqnQ2r3VLv4/s2048/Odin%2527s.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybdnhwB322hP15QkNjezo9lJ3D3kVzlXtjSPdItyy1amR9SWCwV03svlpdn84X5hfH6wZtreLHV0IIxGNXaVZVKM1qOg4SXH0bXBUz1soxMwbQGoVFt__PsPAC1hidFU-UHqnQ2r3VLv4/w400-h225/Odin%2527s.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Odin's... need snow for this one.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztQv3hyphenhyphen-6mizP7n5agtSCipLrsVLDhIzas79QFw7dC9znXzEsyXuxeBjLzBtU8PiuddBI-T_bhyphenhyphenVAMuELtXCPirc2aZ7FGfES4tZGeReAoGDjLDGa7ZEQ0cp9a9rrEEk3groLna9g7hTE/s2048/East+Side+Climbs.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztQv3hyphenhyphen-6mizP7n5agtSCipLrsVLDhIzas79QFw7dC9znXzEsyXuxeBjLzBtU8PiuddBI-T_bhyphenhyphenVAMuELtXCPirc2aZ7FGfES4tZGeReAoGDjLDGa7ZEQ0cp9a9rrEEk3groLna9g7hTE/w400-h225/East+Side+Climbs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the East Side Climbs - now steeper and more interesting</td></tr></tbody></table><p>ICE CLIMBERS - The Canyon's ice climbers are likely to have a number of tasty new climbs to explore. Many of the gullies that form ice are now a lot longer, steeper and cleaner than they were before the storm. There is a newly-exposed formation below Scout Camp that looks long and steep enough to be interesting, with a short and simple approach (a real gift, there). There were significant flows in a couple of the East Side Climbs, and the new climbs could prove to be a lot more interesting than their predecessors. Ice Capades experienced some flows, but nothing that would change climb characteristics. Upper and Lower Slabs, Delay of Game, and the other popular ice climbs appeared largely unaffected.<br /><br />SNOWMOBILERS/SKIERS - The road will be open to snowmobiles and skiers all winter. The slides had no effect on the approach to Terminal Cancer Couloir, or on the couloir itself.<br /><br />RV CAMPERS - The Thomas Canyon Campground should be accessible again to RV campers in 4-6 weeks, although there may be some limitations to vehicle length. Those using dispersed camping near the Lion's Camp will lose access to the most upcanyon campsites, until the USFS can repair the washed-out road. Campsites downstream from the washout are unaffected.<br /><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Silver linings</b></h3>Perhaps surprisingly, there are a few opportunities that this crazy event has presented. One opportunity - all of the debris is now a whole lot of potential construction material that can be used to repair roads and trails. As an example - with some forethought some of it can be used to repair the Lamoille Canyon end of the Ruby Crest Trail - the first half mile or so is incredibly eroded, and in need of material. The potential is there for Historic Roads and Trails grant money designated for repairs to be used for building better trails than were there previously - say, for instance, the Talbot-Lamoille Trail, whose Lamoille Canyon terminus was completely wiped out.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvo5GYjT0vb-KwBUj2s4Y9oesyctIh5TEj3assNEAqFXA98ZXoLvCGCwkGMeabeMulfQnyyb0HsAcjN1adiVyY76lSTX9Pi2diFiu6mZZ5jpud1BTmaEiUV9SIV-pPgwDGc8eMNGbFgWyk/s2048/Talbot+trailhead.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvo5GYjT0vb-KwBUj2s4Y9oesyctIh5TEj3assNEAqFXA98ZXoLvCGCwkGMeabeMulfQnyyb0HsAcjN1adiVyY76lSTX9Pi2diFiu6mZZ5jpud1BTmaEiUV9SIV-pPgwDGc8eMNGbFgWyk/w400-h225/Talbot+trailhead.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Insert new trailhead here</td></tr></tbody></table><br />As was the case after the Range Two fire, the slides are going to become part of the lore of the canyon, and will force people to look at the canyon in new ways. Our old friend is different now. I remember after the last huge slide event more than two decades ago, when Thomas Canyon Campground was heavily damaged, the local talk was that the canyon would never be the same. <br /><br />A decade later those old slide scars were still findable, if you knew where to look, and the re-routed creek through Thomas Canyon Campground is a geology lesson, if anything. The canyon ISN'T the same, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. The canyon recovered from the last slide cycle, it is recovering from the catastrophic fire, and it will recover from this, too. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-70666384834365064182019-09-30T12:25:00.003-07:002019-09-30T12:31:42.464-07:00The Lamoille Canyon fire, a year later<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoUO8zNSMh7w6xdYsR-oujChEd3ICaaENadyY9hKn83aiTjBJ_ndPS_ZHndQGXyb68zmxyIqXQBOxPv2O6z8IzpxSamIuhUL8uJWEJbQxDISG5wIpCNNjkhNgR9Wy6BixWLJ4q_AeAjmj/s1600/IMG_3220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoUO8zNSMh7w6xdYsR-oujChEd3ICaaENadyY9hKn83aiTjBJ_ndPS_ZHndQGXyb68zmxyIqXQBOxPv2O6z8IzpxSamIuhUL8uJWEJbQxDISG5wIpCNNjkhNgR9Wy6BixWLJ4q_AeAjmj/s320/IMG_3220.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was a year ago today that we watched our beloved Lamoille Canyon burn, the victim of gross negligence on the part of Spring Creek Association and the unbelievable stupidity of some jackass exercising his Second Amendment right to be a complete idiot with his rifle.<br />
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Said jackass walks free because the dozen or so people watching him shoot at a rock above the target area chose to let him walk rather than do the responsible thing and drop a dime on the guy. God knows we can't POSSIBLY hold someone responsible for their actions, as long as said actions are committed with a gun. The millions of dollars of damage caused, the millions of taxpayer dollars spent to fight the fire and rehabilitate the burn area, the millions of memories gone up in smoke... none of it matters. At least not to the local Second Amendment crowd.<br />
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We had another fire at the range again this summer. Because, you know, Second Amendment and stuff.<br />
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I'm not advocating that the range be shut down - not at all. But it DOES need to be managed, people!! It needs to be STAFFED, and it needs to be closed on extreme fire danger days. They either need to figure out how to safely accommodate people using long range rifles, or they need to prohibit their use at the range. The good people of Spring Creek need to decide they want to be good community members, and pressure their do-nothing Association to manage that range safely. And they have to agree to pay for it.<br />
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Or they can keep skating on the backs of the rest of us taxpayers, who have to foot the bill to clean up the mess they continue to make.<br />
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And in the meantime, our beloved mountains are sacrificed on the altar of gun rights and anti-tax irresponsibility.mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-38163533767458333782019-08-26T14:25:00.000-07:002019-08-26T14:25:59.407-07:00Another summer, another fire at the Spring Creek Rifle RangeProving once again that our Second Amendment right to sell a weapon to any idiot who wants one, and to let them use said weapon any where and any when they want to, without any kind of education or regulation, is the SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING in this country of ours.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZvHAF6MTDzoZBC8d_myPf7tadgX_yYgYG6hk4QpYdH5c5BLVimRJ2Q8NXDByb7JozvAbKvcqxwHOFxNvzxOfyyxWvd3nsfUXJ1k_D4iT8oh8ziAY505VeSWlwUyHkYbZRShdwddb3et6/s1600/Rifle+Range+fire+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZvHAF6MTDzoZBC8d_myPf7tadgX_yYgYG6hk4QpYdH5c5BLVimRJ2Q8NXDByb7JozvAbKvcqxwHOFxNvzxOfyyxWvd3nsfUXJ1k_D4iT8oh8ziAY505VeSWlwUyHkYbZRShdwddb3et6/s400/Rifle+Range+fire+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Once again, the Spring Creek Rifle Range is burning. What will it take with it this time?<br />
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When will the Good People of Spring Creek figure out that, if they're going to have a rifle range, they need to STAFF IT during times of extreme fire danger so that those afore mentioned idiots don't burn the place down????mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-39200585231422891742018-11-27T17:05:00.000-08:002018-11-28T12:15:34.488-08:00Lamoille Canyon Fire Recovery Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2Q17G4exc9z9hyvQheF7O8SyzKVhvrQrfSfxtUWXJTTyxRiSpf8-PJEfRLnRIEl8ZJwMVCcrM9QJJMZMhd3pc93uo4eYU0iBV3sAc0MhaXWzPubUkLg4VyQ8fqMleW3ODESiWLpWDPQd/s1600/IMG_3308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2Q17G4exc9z9hyvQheF7O8SyzKVhvrQrfSfxtUWXJTTyxRiSpf8-PJEfRLnRIEl8ZJwMVCcrM9QJJMZMhd3pc93uo4eYU0iBV3sAc0MhaXWzPubUkLg4VyQ8fqMleW3ODESiWLpWDPQd/s400/IMG_3308.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Winter is heading this way like a big old freight train, and USFS road crews have been up in Lamoille Canyon trying to re-open the canyon road after the devastating Range 2 Fire. A fair bit of work has been going on behind the scenes, with the goal of reopening the road as quickly as possible. Winter is the deadline, though - weather that makes it impossible for them to work up there will shut road repair efforts down until spring.<br />
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Right now rocks the size of watermelons are releasing from above the road, but the unstable house-sized rocks have so far stayed put. Road crews are clearing rockfall, putting up signage, repairing culverts, felling "widowmaker" trees, and soon will be rebuilding much of the damaged guard rail. Approximately 90% of the existing rail will be able to be reused, which will speed rebuilding and save a bunch of money.<br />
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USFS District Ranger Josh Nicholes has assembled an advisory committee of interested locals, including representatives from Elko County, the snowmobiling community, cabin owners, the Lion's Club, and non-motorized recreational users. It's a diverse group, and it's coming to the table with some good suggestions for ways of managing user safety, communications, community resources, and more.<br />
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USGS engineers have completed a slope stability study that purports to show the impacts of anticipated winter weather on the burn area above the road. That study will be pretty critical in being able to anticipate slope stability above the road through this first post-burn winter.<br />
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Here's one of the USGS runoff maps showing risks of debris flows in the burn area from a "design storm" (the storm size used in the study... the USGS modelled seven different storm intensities). This particular map shows anticipated debris flows should we get one of the "pineapple express" rain-on-snow events that we get every five years or so, or a very heavy rainfall of about 1/2" in 15 minutes. <br />
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It's a damned sobering map. Click on the image to look more closely.<br />
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Here's a map from another model, this time looking at what would happen after a typical monsoonal fall rain, like the kind we get every two years or so:</div>
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Keep in mind that this is an inexact science, and that the effects of precipitation are cumulative. A few days of precipitation may accumulate to trigger the same effects as the shorter, more intense design storms in the models.<br />
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Pretty obviously, the biggest risk from debris flows is on the canyon's northeast aspect, across the creek from the road. However, there could be moderate to significant risk of debris flow from sources uphill of the road, depending on the storm... and any debris flow that originates there can be anticipated to run across the road, possibly damaging it even further.<br />
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The committee is working under the premise that, once the road is reopened, it will remain open until conditions warrant closing it for safety reasons. To that end, the USFS is installing a temporary gate at the canyon mouth, above the Powerhouse Picnic Area, so that the road can be opened (and closed, if necessary) more easily that it can with the current physical barriers. USFS and community monitors will tour the road after significant storms, assessing safety hazards and considering any potential need for a road closure. One of the ideas is to use a "green light, yellow light, red light" system, similar to the one avalanche forecast centers use to communicate avalanche danger, to rate potentially dangerous road conditions. It's all still a work in progress, but progress is indeed happening, even if it doesn't look like it from behind the Jersey barricades.<br />
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Today, Nicholes stated that he anticipates opening the road to snowmobiles, if not automobiles, should road crews be unable to finish before winter. Subject to change and subject to conditions, of course.<br />
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Progress on raising money to rebuild the ravaged Lion's Camp is encouraging, as well. So far the club has raised $40,000 of the $1,000,000 they're trying to raise to rebuild the camp. They are one of the beneficiaries of this year's Festival of Trees, so that number can be anticipated to go up. <br />
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There are a few other options for donating right now, as well:<br />
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<li>The Elko Host Lion's Club has a GoFundMe page specifically for rebuilding the lodge and camp. <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/elko-lions-club-camp-lamoille" target="_blank"><b>Click here to donate.</b></a> All proceeds go directly to the project... GoFundMe is NOT collecting a service fee.</li>
<li>The Club is receiving donations for the rebuild through Elko Federal Credit Union. Contributors can also mail a check to the club at PO Box 19, Elko, NV 89803</li>
<li>The club is doing its annual See's Candy sales, at the old Spoon Me location across from JoAnn's Fabrics.</li>
<li>The club is selling raffle tickets for a special edition Elko Centennial rifle. Tickets are limited to only 250 sold, for $100 each. Pick up raffle tickets at the club's Festival of Trees booth, or at their See's Candy sales location.</li>
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The re-build will happen in three phases, and the club obviously has a lot of fundraising to do to get even the first phase off the ground. So give. Even if you've already donated, buy a raffle ticket or some See's Candy. Makes a great Christmas gift.<br />
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And then, there's the reseeding. More than 140 volunteers turned out to help collect and plant mahogany seeds in the Canyon a couple of weeks ago, and volunteers will have another chance to help with reseeding this weekend. The Nevada Department of Wildlife is hosting a sagebrush seed collection event on Saturday, 1 December, at the Spring Creek Campground. Call 777-2391 on Friday, or check NDOW's Facebook page if the weather's not great to find out if the event is going on or has been postponed.</div>
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<br />mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-84272887075951272792018-10-11T22:05:00.001-07:002018-10-11T23:53:08.378-07:00Devastating... and yet...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had a chance to tour the burn area in Lamoille Canyon this morning, as the USFS is allowing very limited vehicle-only access to the area for the next couple of days, before closing it again to visitors.<br />
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It was devastating to see, and I was repeatedly in tears.<br />
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It was fascinating, as the bones of the canyon, and its history, were laid out and vulnerable.<br />
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It was powerful, and timeless, as if I were seeing the canyon for the first time. I was often disoriented, as familiar landmarks became strange... or disappeared.<br />
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And it was stunningly beautiful, in an austere, moonscape way.<br />
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As you approach the canyon, the heroism of the firefighters is on display, as time after time, inch after inch, you can see where they fought back the fire, where they held the line, at roads and trails and the dozer line they created.<br />
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The juxtaposition of what remains of this gorgeous fall and the hideous scar from the fire is heartbreaking. In some places, the fire still makes the recent rain turn to steam.<br />
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Very quickly, it becomes apparent that this fire was a fury, not only killing the brush but erasing it from the moonscape it created.<br />
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Most of the lower canyon recreation sites burned. Oh, they were able to protect the USFS picnic ground, and Thomas Canyon Recreation Area, too. </div>
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But the climbing areas burned, and burned hot. The grasses and brush that stabilized the climbing trails are gone. The anchoring trees are gone. </div>
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Sport Rocks<br />
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Dead Snag wall, with the namesake dead snag burned.</div>
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Colossus. </div>
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Sunshine, an ice climb whose approach is now rubble.</div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Scout Camp, probably the most popular ice climb in the canyon, with its tree anchors gone. <br />This photo also shows the Beaver Tail ski area, along with much of the route for the Talbot-Lamoille Trail. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">The trailhead for the Secret-Lamoille Trail is ravaged, and the first half mile of trail is denuded. The fire made runs at the northeast aspects of gullies farther along the trail, meaning future users will be in and out of burn areas for the first two-plus miles of their trip.</span></div>
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The trees and brush that stabilized the Y Chutes are gone.</div>
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The approach to Terminal Cancer got much easier, <br />
as a lot of the heinous bushwhack at the base is gone.<br />
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<br />
It goes on and on. You get the picture. Think of a recreation site in the lower canyon, and it burned.<br />
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And yet...<br />
<br />
<i>And yet...</i><br />
<br />
The Canyon has changed in my lifetime, several times. And now it has changed again. You can see the remnants of the Canyon's history now that once was lost to the trees.<br />
<br />
Here, you see a bit of the old road up the canyon, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Depression. When I was a child, the narrow, scary road was the only way a vehicle could get into the canyon. I still remember how terrified I was when we drove through the Narrows... the road one skinny car wide, with no guard rail.<br />
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There, you see the remains of the old flume line, the foundations from the power generator, from the CCC barracks.<br />
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Pete's Cabin, there for all to see.</div>
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The fire slowed as it climbed uphill, and largely spent its fury by the time it reached Thomas Canyon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7ia-7UuvzqZHVWkKDIwmvsKxgvTJcVD_xMk7RgVLeIndsTNtHYlbcGcIi2pnMNYfrFZvv8edEe_Qikx-kXbsVirnNf-F1C6FXOgOH2f0o2YBU1AHw9pSS15hz-f4Le1iJ5u8XwEtBXpt/s1600/01549ec1d780545262367f6590654a421b790aaeb4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7ia-7UuvzqZHVWkKDIwmvsKxgvTJcVD_xMk7RgVLeIndsTNtHYlbcGcIi2pnMNYfrFZvv8edEe_Qikx-kXbsVirnNf-F1C6FXOgOH2f0o2YBU1AHw9pSS15hz-f4Le1iJ5u8XwEtBXpt/s400/01549ec1d780545262367f6590654a421b790aaeb4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And that's where they made us turn around. Not safe, they said, even though that was the part of the canyon that didn't burn.<br />
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It was enough, though. My heart and my eyes were full.<br />
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Even injured, the canyon was beautiful. Majestic. The melted guard rails will no longer stop your car from plunging down the same steep cliffs that were there before. Mankind's nod to safety is fleeting.<br />
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The same stone sentinels soar overhead, framing a changing sky of clouds. The scars from the flood year are there, vulnerable, waiting to be ripped open again by the spring flows.<br />
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And the sound has changed.<br />
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The birdsong now echoes from the cliff faces, with no trees to stop the music.<br />
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The cliffs made sacred by time, and by the ashes of a friend,</div>
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stand guard while the mountains heal.</div>
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++++++++++++++++++++++++</div>
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mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-90397748822342932602018-10-08T22:16:00.002-07:002018-10-09T06:39:32.443-07:00Rebuilding the historic Camp Lamoille lodge, and other fire news<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Before the burn</i></div>
<br />
I attended a meeting this evening of the Northeastern Nevada Stewardship Group, where representatives from the US Forest Service, the Nevada Department of Wildlife, the Nevada Division of Forestry and NNSG reported on current conditions and potential directions for restoration after the devastating Lamoille Canyon fire.<br />
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There are a lot of updates to report:<br />
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<b>CAMP LAMOILLE</b> - The Elko Host Lion's Club has started a GoFundMe account to rebuild the historic Camp Lamoille Lodge. <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/elko-lions-club-camp-lamoille" target="_blank"><b>Click here to donate.</b></a> The club is trying to raise $200,000, and the effort is just getting off the ground. Donate, and share that you did on your social media accounts. Every nickel counts.<br />
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The camp is on the National Register of Historic Places... no word on whether the Lions will be chasing potential funding sources through that listing.<br />
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The USFS district ranger, Josh Nicholes, stated that the USFS is "100% behind" efforts to rebuild the historic lodge. It was originally designed by USFS architects, and built in 1939 using funds provided by philanthropist Max C. Fleischmann.<br />
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<b>LAMOILLE CANYON ROAD</b> - Right now, the road is the USFS' biggest concern in the canyon. The guard rails on the road burned, making it much easier for drivers to plummet down steep cliffs while they're gawking at the burn area. In addition, house-sized rocks above the road have been destabilized and there is major concern that one or more of them will come crashing down without warning. There is also significant smaller rockfall - smaller than the huge rocks but still large enough to smash a windshield and take out a driver. The USFS has experts working on the problem, but it won't be solved in the next day or two. Right now the tentative date for reopening the road is November 30th.<br />
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<b>RESEEDING</b> - It's critical that reseeding be done quickly in order to minimize the spread of invasive weeds in the canyon. The agencies plan to reseed with a mix of native grasses, and don't plan to introduce non-native species that may be more attractive to specific wildlife species (for example, mule deer). Unfortunately, seed availability for forbs (broadleaf plants like native wildflowers) is very, very limited this year, with poor growing/seed gathering conditions and the huge demands on seed supplies from the many western fires under restoration.<br />
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Right now NDOW plans a sagebrush seed gathering day for volunteers to be held December 1st, with the location and volunteer information to be determined. NNSG plans on hosting a seed gathering day targeting mountain mahogany in November, date and location TBD. Unfortunately, mountain mahogany will be very, very slow to re-establish, but seeding will at least give them a chance.<br />
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The good news, if you can call it that, is that the fire spread so quickly that much of the canyon's root stock survived the blaze. The fire spread more than 150 acres every 15 minutes... the entire 9000+ acres were on fire in only 12 hours.<br />
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<b>TRAILS </b>- The news is less good when it comes to trails. The USFS is considering closing the Secret-Lamoille Trail for a year in order to prevent people from cutting the (now very visible) switchbacks in the first half mile, and letting the seedings get established. I suggested that there might be other ways of approaching the problem, as are often used in Colorado and other more trafficked areas where many feet need to stay on the trail. It's all very early in the process, but decisions are being made so now's the time to pick up the phone if you'd like to see another solution.<br />
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<b>RESEARCH AND EDUCATION</b> - NNSG plans on doing research into fire effects and recovery at a couple of different sites in the burn area. In addition, they plan on partnering with the agencies and Friends of Lamoille Canyon to provide education and information on the effects of fire and how nature recovers after a burn.<br />
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<b>WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW</b> - The fire remains 90% contained. Crews are working to mitigate hazards in the burn area, in addition to the road. They're felling hazard trees in the campgrounds, clearing streams to prevent spring flooding (thank you, says this Lamoille resident), repairing dozer lines, treating noxious weeds and working on slope stabilization - where they can. It's steep up there and there isn't much they can do in a lot of places.<br />
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Overall, the agencies are very much facing a triage situation given the number of massive fires this year, including the South Sugarloaf fire in Elko County earlier this summer. That fire burned a popular USFS campground just below the Wildhorse Dam, as well as thousands of acres, hundreds of miles of fence, and hundreds of miles of roads. All of the dozer line needs to be reseeded, firebreaks and green breaks need to be established, invasive weeds need to be treated. All while the agencies are robbing Peter to pay Paul.<br />
<br />
++++++++++++++++++++<br />
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I spoke this afternoon with a woman whose friend was at the Spring Creek Rifle Range when the fire started. Apparently there were a number of people using the range to sight in their rifles that morning - every table was in use.<br />
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That gives me hope that the fire investigators might have more than tracks and casings to work with. We'll see.mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-49266883072346090542018-10-08T05:33:00.001-07:002018-10-08T05:36:04.239-07:00"Pretty gut wrenching"I spoke yesterday with a friend of mine whose family owns one of the historic cabins up Lamoille Canyon, and who was allowed in to visit the burn site over the weekend.<br />
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In his words, "it looks like a different place up there. Pretty gut wrenching."<br />
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And that, folks, would be the understatement of the century.<br />
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Thankfully, only one of the historic cabins burned, but several of the other cabins lost sheds and other outbuildings. And, based on the photo he sent me and on the aerial footage I've seen, there was a tremendous amount of tree loss through that part of the canyon and on down. The leafy, shady canopy that made those cabins such a wonderful, private getaway is largely gone.<br />
<br />
As always, there are silver linings to most catastrophes, and there are here, too. As an enthusiastic backcountry skier, I'm happy that access to several lower-canyon runs just got a lot easier. And, in a good snow year, they likely got a lot longer, too. There is an historic trail in the burn area, the Talbot-Lamoille Trail, that has been extremely difficult to find in recent years. With the brush removed by fire the tread should be a lot more apparent - this could be a great opportunity to locate and re-establish that old trail.<br />
<br />
I'd trade that silver lining for my canyon back to where it was a week and a half ago any day, and twice on Sundays.<br />
<br />
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++<br />
<br />
As of yesterday, the fire was 90% contained, with a perimeter expected to be completed by October 10th. Total burn area 9,196 acres. There are still 60 people working the fire - two hand crews and one aircraft, commanded by an Elko County local, Matt Petersen. There is snow on the peaks now, we've had a couple of heavy rains, and the concern now is what the oncoming winter weather will do to the burn, and how the conditions are hampering efforts to effect repairs up there.<br />
<br />
Where was all this rain two weeks ago?<br />
<br />
I'm heading to a meeting tonight of the Northeastern Nevada Stewardship Group to discuss canyon restoration and potential volunteer opportunities. I'll let you know what I find.mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-27215134825637678842018-10-05T06:31:00.000-07:002018-10-05T07:00:15.937-07:00Fire map and update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XlCaQabm23eawX4nmeZAUDRlh8S0BMKaa3RrBEDmS-Dnh7270DlrZ27d5w91rnz9-n0btVct4eVWOV1v2i6avhCad3bjVZ39jii8vsZqgaWUPopT2zfjhmIy35fbjPLIWgmIVhbm1ci-/s1600/Fire+map.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="1452" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XlCaQabm23eawX4nmeZAUDRlh8S0BMKaa3RrBEDmS-Dnh7270DlrZ27d5w91rnz9-n0btVct4eVWOV1v2i6avhCad3bjVZ39jii8vsZqgaWUPopT2zfjhmIy35fbjPLIWgmIVhbm1ci-/s400/Fire+map.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The ash is starting to settle a bit, and the firefighters have released a map showing the perimeter of the Range Two fire that burned Lamoille Canyon, Seitz Canyon, and Right Fork Canyon, and portions of Thomas Canyon, Hennen Canyon, Snell Canyon and Talbot Canyon.<br />
<br />
The good part is that the highest parts of Seitz and Lamoille Canyons didn't burn, protecting the fisheries in Seitz and Lamoille lakes, as well as the incredible mountain ecosystems there. The top of Right Fork Canyon survived the blaze, as well. The bad part is that four trails were badly burned, including the Secret-Lamoille Trail, the Seitz Canyon Trail, the Right Fork Canyon trail, and the old guide trail that runs between Pete's Corner and Talbot Canyon - the Talbot-Lamoille Trail.<br />
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Joe Doucette from NDOW tells me that the ash from the fire will have a significant negative impact on the aquatic life in the effected area, which is disturbing. Snell Creek is home to endangered Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, and Lamoille Creek has always been a popular fishing stream. All of them drain into the Humboldt River, which waters much of northern Nevada.<br />
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NDOW and the USFS have their work cut out for them assessing and mitigating the damage. Josh Nicholes, the USFS district ranger, tells me that the existing closure through Nov. 30th is to give them time to get started with that process, but that the closure may be lifted earlier than that based on conditions.<br />
<br />
There is a volunteer move afoot to help with reseeding, deadfall removal, and other necessary recovery activities. I'll post up information as it becomes public.<br />
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Watch this space.mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-80418404194138403622018-10-02T11:26:00.002-07:002018-10-08T22:19:23.781-07:00Black is the color of my heart today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lamoille Canyon burned. This photo is from around 3:30 PM, September 30, 2018.<br />
<br />
The canyon was sacrificed to stupidity. To people who didn't have the common sense to put a rifle range someplace where a fire could be contained, and to close it down - or at least staff it - during extreme fire danger. To people who ignored another, smaller, fire started by shooters using the range a couple of years ago, who ignored another, smaller fire just west of the range a couple of weeks ago.<br />
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To people who ignored red flag after red flag after red flag.<br />
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The people who started the fire were the apex of a huge heap of people making stupid, selfish decisions all based on their BY GOD given rights TO SHOOT THEIR GODDAMNED GUNS ANYWHERE AND ANYWHEN THEY BY GOD FEEL LIKE IT. High winds and extreme fire conditions be damned. And reality be damned, too - it's been amply demonstrated that many, many people in this area aren't at all responsible when it comes to firearm ownership and use. People who consider themselves responsible firearm owners have a responsibility to face the FACT that a large percentage of people who own guns AREN'T responsible. DON'T make good decisions. Since our Constitution says that any Tom, Dick and Harry can buy a gun, responsible gun owners need to be responsible enough to establish and maintain boundaries that safeguard the rest of us from these asshats' complete fucking stupidity.<br />
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The Second Amendment crowd goes on and on about onerous firearm regulation. Bullshit. I fail to see the regulation, here. Whoever started this fire likely bought their gun legally by flashing a drivers license and passing a laughable joke of a background check. There was no requirement for education, no requirement for the most rudimentary demonstration of skills and knowledge. No requirement that this idiot show that he knew enough to not be out there shooting in high wind in dry grass on a red-flag fire condition day. On a day when we hadn't had rain in months.<br />
<br />
Spring Creek Association posted a few rules for their rifle range, assuming these idiots would read and follow them. Well, guys, they didn't. Nor did they use an iota of common sense. And that, my friends, was entirely predictable. As were the consequences.<br />
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Lamoille Canyon burned.<br />
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Road at the mouth of the canyon. The Secret-Lamoille trailhead area burned, as did the remains of the historic flume. Firefighters saved Ruby Dome Ranch... the fire burned down to the corrals where cowboys were scrambling to finish the work they'd started early in the day before the fire overwhelmed them.</div>
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Right Fork Canyon</div>
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The access point for Terminal Cancer Couloir.</div>
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Scout Camp, including the ruins of the lodge built during the Great Depression.<br />
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What remains of the historic lodge. It makes me want to cry. So many memories there.<br />
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See a single word about fire safety or extreme fire conditions? <br />
<b>I don't either.</b></div>
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As of today the USFS anticipates the canyon road will be closed through November 30th. The Spring Creek Rifle Range and Campground are closed until further notice. That means access to the following trails is closed: Secret-Lamoille Trail, the Ruby Crest Trail (Lamoille Canyon trailhead), Island Lake Trail, Right Fork Trail, Talbot-Lamoille Trail, Thomas Canyon Trail, Hennen Canyon Trail (accessing Griswold Lake and Ruby Dome), Seitz Lake Trail.<br />
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mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-90707441027965602632018-04-29T19:57:00.001-07:002018-04-29T21:28:30.937-07:00Review - Secret-Lamoille Trail, Lamoille-Talbot section<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmA7-yR8Dkg4t-fxxOkGJeeTaWqlb48ghyrv-kOQf9bMNzo7Glcp9UVQtHskK4RfIL7-1gh4ypB3g9fRKnP5nzxjpr6XT0pKPzrVeZSWE0WhE6qeuEmUhAV27CCvUSvoi6482RmodNpHP/s1600/SL+Trail+PJ+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1225" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmA7-yR8Dkg4t-fxxOkGJeeTaWqlb48ghyrv-kOQf9bMNzo7Glcp9UVQtHskK4RfIL7-1gh4ypB3g9fRKnP5nzxjpr6XT0pKPzrVeZSWE0WhE6qeuEmUhAV27CCvUSvoi6482RmodNpHP/s400/SL+Trail+PJ+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A friend of mine - a photojournalist and adventure sports writer - recently blew through town on his way back home from covering the Sea Otter, a huge season-opening mountain bike race meet in California. While he was here, he decided to give the completed portion of the Secret-Lamoille trail a spin, and here's what he told me via e-mail, along with some photos he took:<br />
<blockquote>
"I’ve been riding in the Rubies for about 12 years now. I first rode them back in
about 2005, returning from Colorado to the Bay Area, where I lived at the time.
I asked the desk clerk at my motel if there was anywhere to mountain bike and
she sent me to Lamoille Canyon. My expectations were low and since it was
November I hit snow pretty early in my ride and didn’t get far. However, what I
saw stuck with me and I’ve been going back at regular intervals, ever since.<br />
<br />
"Although
I’ve explored the Rubies a bit, my main ride is the one that goes to the pass
at the top of Lamoille Canyon. It’s pretty steep and rocky and definitely not
for everyone. The scenery and descent are fabulous, though.
<br />
<br />
"A
couple of years ago Sue took me on a short hike up the Secret-Lamoille Trail.
Aside from easy access and friendly grades, it didn’t make much of an
impression on me at the time. However, after riding it for the first time (the
morning after our phone call), I have very different feelings about it. Other
than a couple of corners that were too tight for me to make, it’s a very, very
nice trail. It flows well and I think it has pretty broad appeal to both
beginners and experienced riders. The climb up was pretty comfortable without
being boring or easy; and the descent was super fun. I like that they left some
rocks in the trail to keep things entertaining. And as you’ll see from the
photos I took, the landscape is absolutely spectacular.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6FfHd_aWGm2eh9UvoHa92148lwYWxXGY4BdKRIhihQ73kojcFPOwMn3rpK8-qOdY_6kXALu5MhHjhN9vPVjLot47jfh95btlZeBNO3xpFw80JWR1FDIjKITwdZBjClzNhFSu_rnjErI8/s1600/SL+Trail+PJ+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1225" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6FfHd_aWGm2eh9UvoHa92148lwYWxXGY4BdKRIhihQ73kojcFPOwMn3rpK8-qOdY_6kXALu5MhHjhN9vPVjLot47jfh95btlZeBNO3xpFw80JWR1FDIjKITwdZBjClzNhFSu_rnjErI8/s400/SL+Trail+PJ+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<blockquote>
<br />
"Lamoille Canyon and the Rubies were already a worthy mountain biking destination. But if
the Secret-Lamoille Trail can be completed, they will have a whole lot more to
offer. The Secret-Lamoille Trail is more than just a fun trail, too. It would
provide increased access to the whole Ruby Mountain range, most of which is
blocked by private ranches. It’s the beginning of what could be a huge trail
network. I would love to see that."</blockquote>
It's gratifying to get such a glowing review from someone who's ridden some of the country's most epic trails, and who has covered some of the most important MTB events in the world. The even more exciting part is that there is the teeny tiny possibility that IMBA, the International Mountain Bicycling Association, may be interested in working with locals to get the trail, finally, completed and built to USFS spec for an MTB and equestrian trail.<br />
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We'll see. The potential is there to develop a trail that could earn IMBA's Epic Trail designation - a designation that will put Elko County on the map for mountain bike tourists. I'm not counting chickens, at least not these ones, but stranger things have happened...<br />
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More pretty pictures from my friend John Shafer, a man perhaps better known in MTB and photography circles as Photo-John. Click on the pictures to make them bigger - you'll be glad you did.<br />
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<br />mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-41674009728805557582018-01-12T12:18:00.000-08:002018-02-06T09:08:48.620-08:00SnoBowl Bike Trails RFPIt's finally happening! After what seems like FOREVER, we have final approval from the folks at the Recreation Trails Program to fund our mountain bike trails project up at the SnoBowl!<br />
<br />
Here is the RFP for the project. Contact me if you'd like me to e-mail you a .kmz.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>ELKO SNOBOWL FOUNDATION REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ON TRAILBUILDER WORK <br />
FOR THE SNOBOWL CROSS-COUNTRY MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL SYSTEM<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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The Elko SnoBowl Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, (the
“SnoBowl”) invites all interested and qualified persons or firms capable of providing
the listed Scope of Work to submit bids for the completion of an approximately 9.15
mile singletrack mountain bike loop trail system. Completed bids must be
received by the SnoBowl prior to bid opening.
Mail or deliver bids to Elko SnoBowl Foundation, PO Box 281267,
Lamoille, NV 89828. The bid-opening will occur at <b>2:00, Friday, February 23rd, 2018</b>, at
the Elko BLM office. <br />
<br />
<b>ABOUT THE SNOBOWL BIKE TRAIL PROJECT</b>
<br />
The Elko SnoBowl Foundation has acquired grant funding from the Federal Recreational
Trails Program (“RTP”) to build a new
natural surface, purpose-built, singletrack mountain bike trail loop system at
the SnoBowl Ski & Bike Park in Elko, Nevada
(hereinafter referred to as the “Project”). The Trail will commence at
the ski base area of the Elko SnoBowl, and will feature a stacked loop system
on the west and southeast aspects of the SnoBowl property. While this is to be a cross-country mountain
bike trail, the SnoBowl will also in future provide weekly lift-served trail
access to riders. This will be the only constructed mountain-bike specific
singletrack trail in the region and it should be designed in anticipation that
it will eventually (with future undetermined funding) serve as the heart of a
trail system connecting the SnoBowl with the Elko city limits. The SnoBowl
desires to purchase the services of a professional trail building contractor
(the “Contractor”) to build the Project, the build to commence in spring, 2018,
with a completion date of no later than November 1, 2019. Contractors able to complete the project
before December 31, 2018 will receive special consideration in the bid
process. <br />
<br />
It cannot be more strongly emphasized that this project is for purpose-built
natural surface singletrack mountain bike trail. Desired characteristics
include: cambered trail surfaces, insloped turns, rolling terrain,
incorporation of native rock features, novice-friendly switchbacks and seamless
transitions between trail types. <br />
<br />
The following preliminary work has been completed: a flag line has been
established which generally marks the Trail corridor; archaeological clearance
of a 100’ corridor centered on the flag line has been completed, and a grant
agreement has been signed by the SnoBowl and RTP administrators. Approximately one mile of frontside trail has
been completed by community volunteers, and a second mile of frontside trail
has been started. Cooperation has been committed by local businesses and
community groups to provide material support for the project. <br />
<br />
<b>GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS</b> <br />
Contractors are asked to outline strategies for and professional experience in
meeting the following general specifications: <br />
<br />
1. Federal Grant Requirements. <br />
Because funding for the Project relies upon federal grants, Contractor must
demonstrate a thorough understanding of the requirements of Federal grant
agreements related to Project Work and agree to make every reasonable effort to
abide by said requirements. <br />
<br />
2. Suggested Site Visit (“Walk Through”). <br />
The Project will be built on terrain with slopes averaging 15-30 degrees with
specific soil and drainage characteristics.
While it is not a requirement to bid, it is suggested that any
Contractor who wishes to submit a bid for the construction of the Project
should complete a Walk Through of the Trail location sufficient to gain a
general understanding of the area’s terrain, general topography, rock and soil
types. Ignorance of building conditions
related to the natural conditions in the trail location will not be considered
in any requests for waivers or changes to Scope of Work.<br />
<br />
3. Coordination with Community Groups<br />
A significant portion of grant match for the Project consists of a series of at
least eight scheduled community build days.
Community volunteers will consist of a mixture of experienced volunteer
trail builders and new trail volunteers.
The SnoBowl will coordinate these build days with the Contractor, and
the Contractor will provide appropriate supervision and, if needed, training to
volunteer crews. A SnoBowl
representative will be onsite for all build days to serve as volunteer
coordinator/crew lead. Please note that,
while community groups can and do provide significant manpower for the build,
Contractor should not anticipate that volunteer crews provide all or a majority
of needed hand work for the Project.<br />
<br />
4. General guidelines for trail design. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
A. Desired characteristics
include: cambered trail surfaces, insloped turns, rolling terrain,
incorporation of native rock features, and seamless transitions between trail
types. All trail tread, rock-armoring,
switchbacks, and all other features should be built to best industry standards.<br />
<br />
B. Treadway shall be a minimum of 24”
and wider where necessary. Because of
the ongoing trespass by ATV users in the Elko area, use of trail building machines
with a tread wider than 30” is discouraged.
Please include the tread width of any machines anticipated to be used
for the Project.<br />
<br />
C. Because of the lack of available
mountain biking trail in the region, and because of the topographical features
of the land it is being built upon, the trail will largely be designed for
riders at a beginner skill level with some short intermediate sections as
needed. There may be opportunities to build advanced “opt-in features” if
funding is available. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
D. A flag line has been
established and GPS of the route completed. There is a 50’ buffer to each side
of the flag line for Contractor’s preference in building the trail.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
E.
Specific trail design features to discourage trespass by ATV/OHV users
will be critical to the long-term success of the Project.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5. Qualifications and Selection Criteria. <br />
The SnoBowl will consider the status and capability of the bidder along with responsiveness
to the bid requirements in its analysis of which is the lowest responsible
bidder. The SnoBowl will use a points system to aid in its selection of the
winning bid, the parameters of which is outlined below: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
A. Company Profile. The bidder may
receive up to 150 points for demonstrating its capability to complete the work
and its status as a reliable contractor. The bidder should be a member of the
Professional Trail Builders Association (PTBA) or equivalent and should
demonstrate stability of its business. Civil or criminal judgments against the
bidder or financial weakness which would affect the bidder’s performance or
ability to complete projects will negatively affect this rating. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
B. Relevant Experience with Similar
Projects. The bidder may receive up to 250 points for demonstrating experience
in building natural surface mountain bike trail in similar conditions as those
existing in the Project location. The contractor should submit a portfolio of
at least three, and up to six, projects of a similar nature to this project, completed
within the last five years and preferably completed in similar terrain. Please include contact information for project
clients.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
C. Project Details and Work Plan.
The bidder may receive up to 300 points for the demonstrated ability to comply
with the specifications in this RFP and how well the work plan suits the needs
of the SnoBowl. Contractors able to complete the project by December 31, 2018
will receive an additional 100 points.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
D. Cost. The bidder with the lowest
total cost shall receive 300 points. All other bidders shall receive cost-based
points based on the following formula: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
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Lowest proposed cost total<o:p></o:p></div>
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X300<o:p></o:p></div>
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=<o:p></o:p></div>
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Cost-based <br />
points awarded<o:p></o:p></div>
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Bidder’s proposed cost total<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS</b> <br />
1. Business Registration. Any Contractor which is a Nevada business must be
currently registered with the Nevada Secretary of State. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. Performance and Payment Bonds. Formal, notarized
performance and payment bonds issued by an insurance or surety company are
required for the Project and must be provided upon execution of the contract. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. Worker’s Compensation. The Contractor must certify that
it is in compliance with Nevada statutes regarding Worker’s Compensation
insurance.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. Commercial General
Liability Coverage. The contractor shall carry Commercial General Liability Insurance of $1 million/occurrence, $2
million/aggregate, and shall furnish a certificate listing the SnoBowl, the
City of Elko and its partners as additional insureds upon execution of the
contract. The certificate shall show the type, amount, class of operations
covered, effective dates, and dates of expirations of policies.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5. Contractor must
have a valid and current Nevada Contractor’s License at the time of contract
execution.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6. Invasive Species Prevention. Active steps to prevent or
limit the introduction, establishment, and spread of invasive species are
required during contracted work. The contractor shall prevent invasive species
from entering into or spreading within project site by cleaning equipment prior
to arrival. If the equipment, vehicles, gear, or clothing arrives at the
project site with soil, aggregate material, mulch, vegetation (including seeds)
or animals, it shall be cleaned by contractor furnished tool or equipment
(brush/broom, compressed air or pressure washer) at the staging area. The
contractor shall dispose of material cleaned from equipment and clothing at a
location determined by the SnoBowl. If the material cannot be disposed of
onsite, secure material prior to transport (sealed container, covered truck, or
wrap with tarp) and legally dispose of offsite. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7. SnoBowl reserves the right to reject any or all bids. Low
bid will not be the only consideration for award. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8. The warranty period is one year from the date of
acceptance by the SnoBowl. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>GEOLOGICAL,
BIOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA.</b> <br />
The following is general information to assist contractors in their
understanding of the geological and biological conditions of the trail building
location. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The SnoBowl Trail Project shall be constructed on a 640-ac section
of land owned by the City of Elko that serves as a community ski hill in the
winter. The section is bisected by a
7500’ ridge, and the trailhead is at the SnoBowl ski base at approximately 6500’
on the east side of the ridge. Two
trails climb from the base area over the ridge to a series of stacked loops on
the western side of the ridge. A
connector trail links the top of the SnoBowl ski lift to the trail system. <br />
<br />
The trail traverses soil in the Sumine-Cleavage-Cleavage, very cobbly
association group. Slopes range from
15-30 degrees, with mean annual precipitation approximately 7-15”. The soil surface is a very gravelly loam,
well drained, with a gravelly clay loam layer from 6” – 29”. There is limiting bedrock averaging 20” –
39”in depth. Rock outcroppings are scattered
throughout and are composed of a gravelly composite. Depositions of faceted loose rocks 6” – 18” in
size dot the hillsides.<br />
<br />
There are numerous small springs in the area, and the trail crosses several
very ephemeral small streams. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The typical plant community is a mix of grasses and forbs,
with intermittent small sagebrush. Short,
tundra-type plants populate the ridgetops.
A portion of the subject parcel burned a decade ago, and there has been
a significant cheatgrass incursion in the burn area.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Elko SnoBowl is approximately five miles north of the
city of Elko, NV, on North 5<sup>th</sup> Street.<br />
Please see attached map for trail layout and topography.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>PROJECT CONTACT:</b> Sue
Kennedy, Elko SnoBowl Foundation (775) 934-4466<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="mailto:colorado_event@hotmail.com">colorado_event@hotmail.com</a></div>
<br />mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-71512487131356328292016-04-10T15:38:00.002-07:002018-04-29T21:28:50.745-07:00Oh, what fun it is to build!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ86fKQVDiJhBQPDc24VUihmqJ6J8G6oWfrDrlVLbnPrwT_O17oAt-3rVDQtJI7GUuFnHV0NAthqTB-_9GsBB04ixOrsJdrBBfw1xsUB06uu49BHETStBoc1mHMMmYg5JurxBCUB9J3xQa/s1600/Working.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ86fKQVDiJhBQPDc24VUihmqJ6J8G6oWfrDrlVLbnPrwT_O17oAt-3rVDQtJI7GUuFnHV0NAthqTB-_9GsBB04ixOrsJdrBBfw1xsUB06uu49BHETStBoc1mHMMmYg5JurxBCUB9J3xQa/s320/Working.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
There is just something completely awesome about getting new trail on the ground.<br />
<br />
The IMBA/Subaru Trail Care Crew blew through town this week. Their goal was to host a couple of days of classroom learning and a few hours of on-the-hill training, getting a great group of volunteers up to speed on how to get new trail on the ground. It's a pretty big deal, as IMBA has only one (count 'em) trail care crew in the country. As it turns out, the local BLM office has a new rec guy who's a bit of a fireball, and one of the first things he did when he clocked in for work was start lobbying to get these guys here. It was a real coup.<br />
<br />
Fortunately for all concerned, there was (and is) a shovel-ready project available to use as a trail building classroom - the new bike trail system being built at SnoBowl! So, lucky us, some real trail experts used our local hill as a classroom to teach the nuts and bolts of getting new trail on the ground.<br />
<br />
Pinch me, is this for real?? :D<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpNZf2ov0rf3j06ES8dItwl7y_DOwPaM9865MnNwHvu4U-0o95SvJckCr75CS2nEkZODURBVMJeFi42VDLCHnjeTiuC0yHqJEjFL62-N_VH81YR79oNl0TqSehKX0B9LIHaJlnjGsRTz1/s1600/Volunteers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpNZf2ov0rf3j06ES8dItwl7y_DOwPaM9865MnNwHvu4U-0o95SvJckCr75CS2nEkZODURBVMJeFi42VDLCHnjeTiuC0yHqJEjFL62-N_VH81YR79oNl0TqSehKX0B9LIHaJlnjGsRTz1/s320/Volunteers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br />
About twenty folks joined Jordan Carr and Lani Bruntz from IMBA after the classroom sessions, and built several hundred feet of very fun new trail over the course of a few hours. Best of all, after the build, the IMBA team walked up the route of the under-construction beginner MTB trail to give us ideas on what we can do to make it a better riding experience for newer riders. Most of the volunteers expressed interest in weekly build days to get a top-to-bottom trail completed before summer, so that we can run the lift for lift-served riding once school's out. </div>
<br />
To call this a banner day for SnoBowl would be a profound understatement.<br />
<br />
Here are a few pics of the build:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIEHycPw56NCaUdOLKdwme7xapnw10XL4FySotKlZSBTvlwyJvG6Dz4MssKcgC9NRoLvYVRmghFYPaW2OaffinBwK0KIHyNYrxqMrYsux-c19j-cVRZBGLR6oIX-gdXDen5xV2eij0p_X/s1600/Pre-talk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIEHycPw56NCaUdOLKdwme7xapnw10XL4FySotKlZSBTvlwyJvG6Dz4MssKcgC9NRoLvYVRmghFYPaW2OaffinBwK0KIHyNYrxqMrYsux-c19j-cVRZBGLR6oIX-gdXDen5xV2eij0p_X/s320/Pre-talk.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pre-talk. Several of the folks on the crew had not used trail tools before, and the IMBA folks gave an overview of safe tool handling.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oKcDS0J3ADoJOrYX4EZYRsf22atRuhRzR5bpm5f9f7hJ_jKmPNX66aBGU6ZvdjeoiIc4L8Gx0Wc292qNLf-0oO58It4LZudZCw_XJnZYjohSQSduJiWLgE9GDxMV_t7XUMbzlClxsv4V/s1600/Walk-up-trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oKcDS0J3ADoJOrYX4EZYRsf22atRuhRzR5bpm5f9f7hJ_jKmPNX66aBGU6ZvdjeoiIc4L8Gx0Wc292qNLf-0oO58It4LZudZCw_XJnZYjohSQSduJiWLgE9GDxMV_t7XUMbzlClxsv4V/s320/Walk-up-trail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A determined bunch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_79GN7Pxe6Pl3rU52fJkUH7X53yvi-5u2R-gnwN0oJQoa3fX6fiog6uUgIg3veRFXvl9Eu3EmZUmYOlid8X4xm12npve0U9-KVfuAOhyphenhyphenmzfMtN_tEgQn_XAYCcPdkZp208zgAEgS3FRvk/s1600/Teaching-tool-handling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_79GN7Pxe6Pl3rU52fJkUH7X53yvi-5u2R-gnwN0oJQoa3fX6fiog6uUgIg3veRFXvl9Eu3EmZUmYOlid8X4xm12npve0U9-KVfuAOhyphenhyphenmzfMtN_tEgQn_XAYCcPdkZp208zgAEgS3FRvk/s320/Teaching-tool-handling.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lani and Jordan demonstrating the work sequence that ends with finished trail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbs-cAB4FXeSrFxQkRjQgxzjGaZAoUtCXjoSiHJiDmdY7pVieR-RpKUEc_czdzY__ts4j2_KArmwPxhpRW9gz0touqZ_lSDKlt4he6Nr2OvdFs3gNyQeCKQQb8ILm8Q19Ss3JanY0X-TC/s1600/View-from-turn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbs-cAB4FXeSrFxQkRjQgxzjGaZAoUtCXjoSiHJiDmdY7pVieR-RpKUEc_czdzY__ts4j2_KArmwPxhpRW9gz0touqZ_lSDKlt4he6Nr2OvdFs3gNyQeCKQQb8ILm8Q19Ss3JanY0X-TC/s320/View-from-turn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Putting that instruction to good use</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6SVMuOgsfVyN3_FesJEiOtLZa_FNZwYG6-nMPbxa4lXQ4rz13D2Vh1OHYJs-5D2u38eXMtZBusTVXDf5dK93TWVl_lcVr8vRBtN48KlGDGp7l4xnI9U0YEvjhiZw7HRREFoNEYh7oYm9/s1600/Volunteer-build.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6SVMuOgsfVyN3_FesJEiOtLZa_FNZwYG6-nMPbxa4lXQ4rz13D2Vh1OHYJs-5D2u38eXMtZBusTVXDf5dK93TWVl_lcVr8vRBtN48KlGDGp7l4xnI9U0YEvjhiZw7HRREFoNEYh7oYm9/s320/Volunteer-build.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some very cool progress happening here!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmhqFnoIOJVw6Y3aYdtruURDYsfXz-4CY8u_-VGauwSUGwPpHXAfxBUWtzbRkVbZonHBI0RoXN1eJXLopcxb6Ebpq32xK_iGdeNwgEKR8KDOJSKXZ7usK5D1UMl23gOh0i_nBi1eIHvvJ/s1600/New-trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmhqFnoIOJVw6Y3aYdtruURDYsfXz-4CY8u_-VGauwSUGwPpHXAfxBUWtzbRkVbZonHBI0RoXN1eJXLopcxb6Ebpq32xK_iGdeNwgEKR8KDOJSKXZ7usK5D1UMl23gOh0i_nBi1eIHvvJ/s320/New-trail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished product - a phenomenal upgrade from the previous route</td></tr>
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Here's a big, healthy THANK YOU to Mike Setlock from the BLM for bringing the IMBA team in, to Subaru for footing the bill for such a great program, to the City of Elko for the volunteer lunch, Great Basin College for the classroom space, to Jordan and Lani from IMBA for being such enthusiastic and skilled trail evangelists, and most of all to the volunteers who showed up to learn how this all works. It's so incredibly cool to see what we can all accomplish working together!mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-76342595404799051492016-03-10T11:36:00.001-08:002016-03-10T11:42:03.448-08:00Some much needed maintenance on the Ruby Crest Trail<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AIZwjoO2CVw" width="480"></iframe><br />
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Boy, was this ever needed. Some great work done last summer by the Friends of the Nevada Wilderness, brushing out and maintaining the Ruby Crest Trail between Overland Lake and Harrison Pass. While they were there, they also did a lot of work on the Overland Trail, between Overland Lake and Ruby Valley.<br />
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Too bad these guys can't just move here permanently, there is a LOT of work to be done up there!mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-58037443412949677472016-03-09T21:42:00.000-08:002018-10-02T12:57:59.872-07:00The Civilian Conservation Corps in Nevada<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMfAieFUX6n89U4hYj_yXO0_KvIb5A_MU3YuSlemP4fJ50WwodAK66q7yyNgYgPS6fJ_YL1SUTrtykijGdsWbmMf1GVMpdjNzqDToPNGIR2WmX8E5az_yo_vubGfFOV_WzeUL6PdNnBK9/s1600/CCC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="981" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMfAieFUX6n89U4hYj_yXO0_KvIb5A_MU3YuSlemP4fJ50WwodAK66q7yyNgYgPS6fJ_YL1SUTrtykijGdsWbmMf1GVMpdjNzqDToPNGIR2WmX8E5az_yo_vubGfFOV_WzeUL6PdNnBK9/s400/CCC.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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While I'm on hiking/climbing hiatus waiting for my knees to heal up and my leg strength to come back (Lord give me patience, and I want it RIGHT NOW!) - here's a neat write up on the work the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) did in Nevada during and after the Great Depression. <br />
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Those who know and love Lamoille Canyon and the Ruby Crest Trail know their work firsthand, as the CCC built the Lions Camp (Camp Lamoille) as well as the Ruby Crest Trail itself. Two portions of that trail, in particular, are wonderful monuments to the quality work those men did - the switchbacks and ridge trail west of Overland Lake, and the trail between Lamoille Lake and Liberty Pass.<br />
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The next time you hike those routes, take a few minutes to appreciate the rockwork. And to appreciate the vision of the President who made the CCC a reality.<br />
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Anyway, <a href="http://travelnevada.com/adventures/32876/ccc-in-nevada" target="_blank">here's the link</a>. Lots of great photos and Nevada history... enjoy!<br />
<br />mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-83865626189263401222015-07-07T14:28:00.001-07:002015-07-07T14:28:38.304-07:00Missing in actionSo... I've been awfully quiet recently...<br />
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There's been good reason. I injured myself in 2013 and am "enjoying" the second of three surgeries, the last of which is scheduled for September. That sounds a lot worse than it really is, but I've not been able to hike since my trip report to Cold Lakes nearly two years ago.<br /><br />The exceptionally good part is that I'm anticipating a full recovery and hope to be back wandering around late this fall. Or... at least I'll be able to sit a horse and let HIM do the work.<br /><br />Either way, that's where I've been. Haven't been ignoring you all, really. Just staring out the window, wishing I were at altitude. Get out there and have some fun for me, OK?mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-39491333795796013182014-08-11T12:14:00.001-07:002018-10-02T13:03:31.219-07:00Ruby Crest Trail Car ShuttleI get a lot of requests from folks interested in a shuttle for a Ruby Crest Trail trip, and I've met some exceptionally cool people that way. I'm pretty well stapled to the ranch these days (check out <a href="http://www.facebook.com/KennedyRanch" target="_blank">my Facebook page for Kennedy Ranch</a>) but on occasion do shuttle folks on Ruby Crest Trail trips. It takes much of my day to do it, and most of a tank of gas, so I charge $200 for a car load. I can fit three adults with gear in my car, or two adults and a dog. Send me a text at 775-934-4466. I'm really, really, really awful about checking voice mail, text is much better.<br />
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If you have a bigger group or if I'm not available, Cowboy John to the rescue! Call John Collett at <a href="http://cowboyjohntours.com/" target="_blank">Cowboy John Tours</a>, 775-753-7825, and see if he can help you out. You might just get an earful of local lore on the way.mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-89499995829117754432014-06-17T11:58:00.000-07:002018-04-29T21:33:29.779-07:00A little Ely love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Rode the 9th annual <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FearsTearsBeers" target="_blank">Fears, Tears and Beers Mountain Bike Enduro</a> in Ely this weekend - every year I wonder how it can possibly get better, and it does. Consistently. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8WcJrb9eTuM6zL4D5bWJzD1DNgaxZkwFku-MwXBrHwXDOYqN69W8JYB5HBvZ06FTgb8-yiXeRu8hmjjG9yUqnu2PCP-rMMrDuHG3pWH7uDSTy_4ohPJywPW3W-oPW3Lai_SU9z342tnp/s1600/FTB+race+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8WcJrb9eTuM6zL4D5bWJzD1DNgaxZkwFku-MwXBrHwXDOYqN69W8JYB5HBvZ06FTgb8-yiXeRu8hmjjG9yUqnu2PCP-rMMrDuHG3pWH7uDSTy_4ohPJywPW3W-oPW3Lai_SU9z342tnp/s400/FTB+race+photo.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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This year there were something north of 90 riders, with a good mix of pros and utter gapers like me. They've built some nice trail in recent years, in part with money raised through this race, and the route includes more and more fun, swoopy singletrack every year. It also includes the annual race-start tour of the Jailhouse Casino. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHy8VNcd-ihOre5da0AfNbGm1uAyLurAK9WHUnudazTH4H0_aojIFlEzFwPDIMkQnaihr-WN30Q7gHq5raebLt2pOr3eE7An2yLastS814RcPZZ6qAFjkzqd-_xt3fm1TdgHytVY06acO/s1600/Riding+through+casino.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHy8VNcd-ihOre5da0AfNbGm1uAyLurAK9WHUnudazTH4H0_aojIFlEzFwPDIMkQnaihr-WN30Q7gHq5raebLt2pOr3eE7An2yLastS814RcPZZ6qAFjkzqd-_xt3fm1TdgHytVY06acO/s400/Riding+through+casino.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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Photo by my friend John Shafer, Photo-John of Consumer Reviews fame, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.541877392585094.1073741841.477468495692651&type=1" target="_blank">whose photos of this race</a> and other adventures are well worth finding.<br />
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There's no other way to put it - the riding in Ely is worth the drive and it gets better every year. Whether you're down for the race (Father's Day Weekend every year, and yes the race is kid-friendly) or just trying to beat the heat with some mountain riding, it's hard to go wrong by throwing your bike in the truck and heading to White Pine County.<br />
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For those interested in making the trip, Ely native and avid rider Kent Robertson has a quality blog going that has excellent info for would-be MTB visitors. Check it out at <a href="http://www.stuckinthespokes.com./">www.stuckinthespokes.com.</a>mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-46538755902266397412014-06-03T15:41:00.002-07:002018-04-29T21:42:48.437-07:00We Like It This WayI had a rare day working at my desk today, and in an effort to keep from having to do precisely that, I checked out my "spam" folder and saw that I'd gotten a message from a guy who wanted me to write a piece for his blog. Kind of cool... glad I didn't just empty the folder like I've been known to do.<br />
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He has a pretty nifty premise - he's asking bloggers from around the country to talk about adventures in their home states. Here's what I wrote for him:<br />
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When I was a kid, somewhat more than 50 years ago, there
were about 300,000 people in Nevada. We didn’t have a big enough
population to warrant two representatives in Congress, or even statehood for
that matter. We had lots of silver, though, and the Union needed it for
the war, so with a wink and a nod they let us join the America club. Not
that it mattered much to the cows and sagebrush that filled the high desert
back in the day.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyi1BfNsCQUQps_uKF9LbQtlZVx2GugBomDTAXNNM0SzSGhBw9BdL7gj3y3XNEJ1vfmj6iAPAzbN5m5N1H-mkao7gvtoHNVGyHNWYKVxTR0ZsBa2XIv9_IL0n6FTzf-E2JiqSGTt74g6j/s1600/international_car_forest_of_the_last_-churchnevada-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="700" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyi1BfNsCQUQps_uKF9LbQtlZVx2GugBomDTAXNNM0SzSGhBw9BdL7gj3y3XNEJ1vfmj6iAPAzbN5m5N1H-mkao7gvtoHNVGyHNWYKVxTR0ZsBa2XIv9_IL0n6FTzf-E2JiqSGTt74g6j/s400/international_car_forest_of_the_last_-churchnevada-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">International Car Forest of the Last Church, Goldfield</td></tr>
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There are a lot more people in
Nevada now, but luckily for the rest of us they mostly live in Vegas. It
takes a little more effort than it used to, but you can still plop yourself in
the middle of 200 square miles of nothing. Real Nevadans like it that
way. Go ahead and dis our state as a wasteland. Speed on down the
interstate. We don’t mind.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoELW44QuCUEw7O0TRCYkAIMobUxyXoM-15ohhRNEKVShb2QyGtqRwNAoR1squRL2lY5IABDqNq5r9L6Tvpig6P_XRv6DxUO8wXXr2LJ9UY9jD7SApGncFqRtuU3TfNLb7a7Q6EkoL57e/s1600/wendover+will.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1440" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoELW44QuCUEw7O0TRCYkAIMobUxyXoM-15ohhRNEKVShb2QyGtqRwNAoR1squRL2lY5IABDqNq5r9L6Tvpig6P_XRv6DxUO8wXXr2LJ9UY9jD7SApGncFqRtuU3TfNLb7a7Q6EkoL57e/s400/wendover+will.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wendover Will</td></tr>
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Nevada echoes… with history, with loneliness, with the ghosts of broken
dreams. With mile after mile of dirt roads and strange, friendly,
self-sufficient people who’ll gladly let you through their gates to access some
remote stretch of mountain snow, but who’ll warn you that you ought to be
packin’ if you go. Mountain lions, you know, a guy got killed up there a
while back. That’s the story at any rate, and news is so rare in these
parts that “a while back” may have happened in the 1800’s.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Kenny Sheen</td></tr>
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I mean, really – you want
mountains? We got mountains, and most of them require some serious
map-and-compass skills to adequately explore. The guidebook-dependent
ecotourist need not apply. There are 300 named mountain ranges in the state
– more mountains than in any state other than Alaska. For my money, my
home range, the Ruby Mountains of Elko County, is the prettiest around.
But high deserts are about jewels of oases, and every range in the state has
trickling seasonal streams with shady caves of cottonwoods at their bases,
bumblebees lazily buzzing in the dappled light. You don’t have to make it
all the way to the Rubies to find Nevada paradise. Go out and find a
special spot of your own.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seitz Lake, Ruby Mountains</td></tr>
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The way to see Nevada, frankly,
is to throw away the guidebooks. They don’t do it justice, anyway.
Get yourself a well-stocked pickup (water, food, camping gear, repair kit, some
select maps, extra fuel, a big dose of self-sufficiency) and head out.
“Where does this road go?” is one of my favorite games, and Nevada is the best
state in the country to play it. You never know if you’re going to end up
at a cattle trough, an old hydroelectric plant, a mining camp or a washed-out
bridge. Bring some wine and somebody who likes to enjoy a good Nevada
sunset, and find a nice high spot to watch the desert turn to night.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjMbxXoJUgzXJjRoEethCh_3EaCga4Hx5M8gu6HxqG1aLECZ5U_Jn7f8SjApsqnGQEQ5UZK7IVF47MldRr9jOh8A45fDCq2vYcUnsET6xkJIRTYVYRojnK1Q_fofoSG2qHPFUcmuTjiAu/s1600/Crossfit-Bowl-ridgline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjMbxXoJUgzXJjRoEethCh_3EaCga4Hx5M8gu6HxqG1aLECZ5U_Jn7f8SjApsqnGQEQ5UZK7IVF47MldRr9jOh8A45fDCq2vYcUnsET6xkJIRTYVYRojnK1Q_fofoSG2qHPFUcmuTjiAu/s1600/Crossfit-Bowl-ridgline.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Independence Range</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now – keep in mind that people can and do manage to get lost and sometimes
killed this way, so take your own safety seriously. The cavalry may
eventually show up – eventually – but even giving directions to AAA in this
state is a challenge. The nearest cross-street may be 89 miles away,
assuming that you even have cell coverage to call them (fat chance, generally
speaking).<o:p></o:p></div>
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The premise of the #makeadventure theme is to come up with a
top five list of things to do and places to see in my state. My best
answer – I don’t know yet, but I look forward to finding out. No doubt
it’s at the end of some washboard road somewhere, in some little bar in a ghost
town, complete with friendly fossils holding down barstools.<br />
<br />
A few ideas for my next Nevada adventures –<br />
<br />
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">-Dig for opals at the mines near Denio.
Spend some time at the Sheldon Wildlife Refuge while I’m there, see if I can
spot some mustangs. </span><br />
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">-Follow the Pony Express Trail. Bike or
horse, whichever works. </span><br />
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">-Look for the old concrete arrows that pilots
used to use to navigate cross country. They’re still there, spaced 10
miles apart, all across the northern part of the state. </span><br />
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">-Go wander out to the bristlecones near Wheeler
Peak, see if I can guess which ones were around at the time of Christ. </span><br />
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">-Find the funky – the one-horse towns, the
International Car Forest, the showers at Ely’s Hotel Nevada, the Brothel
Cookbook, Pioche, the locals just about anywhere. </span><br />
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFEmsp0CcxawVPohk4hXTj7pUM_jfXezNcIz_2v9UX7LXyNI3luUtuMNsIJpDHmP3YksFGwirjvZlvo-Vjrv7LKcU14pC3UcBhoYsCSStu55HZGvWRSJg39spu4X5RliPIWxPz615DrHS/s1600/Shower+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFEmsp0CcxawVPohk4hXTj7pUM_jfXezNcIz_2v9UX7LXyNI3luUtuMNsIJpDHmP3YksFGwirjvZlvo-Vjrv7LKcU14pC3UcBhoYsCSStu55HZGvWRSJg39spu4X5RliPIWxPz615DrHS/s1600/Shower+sign.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take this sign seriously, folks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span>
The vastness and small beauties of our high desert will grow
on you. Nevada is windswept, sun-baked, snow-choked, humbling, filled with
birdsong. Spend some time here, and you’ll understand why we’re happy
when folks stay on the interstate.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQn_rZY7pup2MND8Cmvnw3c4LeupeqjiYp8r1Z4RUb6mQ8ou8idZur7FKgBeRScUyL_64xScW2ID20EMQWkOhxrhcsNgmQ-nSIw4JotqDxYJUtMAlF-8Lhy8adfrplUZB90qCqYBdRqVAb/s1600/Bike+and+lupines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQn_rZY7pup2MND8Cmvnw3c4LeupeqjiYp8r1Z4RUb6mQ8ou8idZur7FKgBeRScUyL_64xScW2ID20EMQWkOhxrhcsNgmQ-nSIw4JotqDxYJUtMAlF-8Lhy8adfrplUZB90qCqYBdRqVAb/s400/Bike+and+lupines.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I had a link to his blog, but I just checked it and it's been hacked. So, I've sanitized this for YOUR PROTECTION. Just like they do to the toilets in Tonopah. You're welcome.<br />
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mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-61169023966296850732014-01-21T22:18:00.001-08:002016-03-10T11:45:19.327-08:00Dreaming dreams<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsu36CUn9pxgSXBMh8OWxv0S-gX-vtIffS-KlWE6yO-CtiYtGWpM_fTR-24C0ZGGwBhFE3bFi48keQtnPevCy6se95nwHz3LMo3tq3sRMIchuBRbkWe78HfCKbL6ro_TIWS_8ap6Ps1na/s1600/Ama+Dablam+dawn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsu36CUn9pxgSXBMh8OWxv0S-gX-vtIffS-KlWE6yO-CtiYtGWpM_fTR-24C0ZGGwBhFE3bFi48keQtnPevCy6se95nwHz3LMo3tq3sRMIchuBRbkWe78HfCKbL6ro_TIWS_8ap6Ps1na/s1600/Ama+Dablam+dawn.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ama Dablam at dawn from Camp 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I had an opportunity last week to speak with a class of sixth-graders at Flagview Intermediate School. It's a pretty fun gig… they do a study program using Nepal and mountaineering as a springboard for learning, and at the end do a few experiential things with the kids to help bring it home.<br />
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Somewhere, somehow, the teacher of the class learned that I'd been on a couple of climbing trips to Nepal, and asked me to come in to speak with the class about my experiences there as part of the study program. I'll be honest - there are a few people in this town MUCH more qualified to speak on this subject than me, both about Himalayan mountaineering and about Nepal in general. People who've lived there for months and are far more in tune with the society there. People who've lived with and studied with Buddhist monks. People who've been adopted into Nepalese families. Those kinds of folks. And, of course, one of the local heliski guides guides Everest. <a href="http://espn.go.com/action/freeskiing/news/story?id=6330267" target="_blank">And has done some amazing mountaineering on Lhotse</a>. 'Nuff said. If nothing else, I guess I'm proof that lack of qualification doesn't necessarily preclude a person from world travel.<br />
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Fortunately or unfortunately, the real mountaineers and Nepal experts were out mountaineering and traveling the world, so the kids got stuck hearing from me. I had a ball - great students and very interested in the subject. Hopefully I convinced some of those kids that chasing dreams is a great way to spend a life.<br />
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Anyway, <a href="http://elkodaily.com/news/local-talks-to-flag-view-students-about-chasing-their-dreams/article_50a68190-8307-11e3-96a7-0019bb2963f4.html" target="_blank">here's a link</a> to the article they did about the program in the local paper, and a few of the photos I shared in the presentation. Pretty pictures. We met some very awesome folks over there, and were really blessed in the adventures we shared. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkH9eR0PudT7kmdOJaK76oHot2aVapCoW4vTxxLP_w2_43kh_f_LqlDU05a8-bJi5ROHSIavsefV0r-Gt8m4o6ea8PaqrIznO5iE_mt83DMIhzjew0qJN4yQ9hYC1V-eoL82DWK9D-QipN/s1600/Gokyo-and-Cho-Oyu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkH9eR0PudT7kmdOJaK76oHot2aVapCoW4vTxxLP_w2_43kh_f_LqlDU05a8-bJi5ROHSIavsefV0r-Gt8m4o6ea8PaqrIznO5iE_mt83DMIhzjew0qJN4yQ9hYC1V-eoL82DWK9D-QipN/s1600/Gokyo-and-Cho-Oyu.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Gokyo and Cho Oyu<br />
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Refrigerator delivery in the Everest region. Everything has to be delivered by porters or pack animals. And they deliver a lot - there's even a pool table at Dingboche, a few weeks' hike from where the road ends.</div>
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Rest day at Ama Dablam camp one.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZBOr1AG_83p6e-tdSmW31S4O2YR1frM-DusLf5UkA1NUmqzjVzIMMc1GRlHe_dQqPg2lnl1JHJ8ZBZJcqIkhJxCoxl8E32454FSyyt2s76UxGbFjE82Bv_UaZVzSwby5ID3ngG4vN_XJ/s1600/Guittry+and+cuongma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZBOr1AG_83p6e-tdSmW31S4O2YR1frM-DusLf5UkA1NUmqzjVzIMMc1GRlHe_dQqPg2lnl1JHJ8ZBZJcqIkhJxCoxl8E32454FSyyt2s76UxGbFjE82Bv_UaZVzSwby5ID3ngG4vN_XJ/s1600/Guittry+and+cuongma.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our cook Guittry hanging out with the cuongma at Ama Dablam base camp. Cuongma are close cousins to the Himalayan snowcock found in the Rubies. Unlike the birds here, though, cuongma aren't afraid of people - they aren't hunted there - and will very casually wander in and around camp all day long. Cool.<br />
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If you want flour in the Everest region, you'll need to thresh the wheat yourself, like these young men in Dingboche.
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Lobuje East. We had stellar conditions for this climb. Couldn't possibly have been better. Unfortunately, it didn't translate into stellar conditions on Ama Dablam, and nobody got above Camp 2 while we were there. </div>
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Memorial chhorten for an Italian climber near Macchermo.<br />
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Dawa, our sirdar and The Man Who Can Make Things Happen.</div>
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So many beautiful mountains yet to climb...</div>
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<br />mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-50672775594644059002013-10-21T16:33:00.000-07:002018-10-13T16:50:34.726-07:00Cold Lakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Cold Creek drainages don't get visited much. The only people who really get up there seem to be hunting guides and their clients, locals setting up a fishing camp and a resident rancher whose family has run sheep and now cattle up there for generations. It's really too bad, because Cold Creek offers all of the spectacular beauty and intimate loveliness that Lamoille Canyon does, without the highway, cars and madding crowds.<br />
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I haven't wandered around that part of the range since I was a kid. My dad used to hunt deer along the sagebrush benches in that area, and it's still a popular spot with hunters. I'd never been up to Cold Lakes, although it's been on my Ruby Mountain bucket list for many years. My friend Bruce had a rare day off in town, and I was feeling a bit spunky, and so we decided to head out on a voyage of exploration and see if we could make it up to the lakes.<br />
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This trip is usually done on horseback and as an overnight (at least), and after having walked the route I can understand why. It is an absolutely fantastic hike in the autumn - really hard to beat - but there's not a lot of shade and there is a fair bit of elevation gain. It'd be hotter than Hades in the summer. Not only that, but there are three big stream crossings that would be pretty challenging when the water's up, making a spring or early summer trip hard to manage. There's a lot of evidence of huge stream flows along the creek. If walking's your bag, wait until fall, when the sunshine is a welcome partner rather than a gumption-drain, and the creek crossings are fun places to teeter on river rock as you cross.<br />
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<b>COLD LAKES</b><br />
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<i>Length: </i>13.4 miles round trip from trailhead<br />
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<i>Elevation Gain: </i>3520'<br />
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<i>Difficulty:</i> <a href="http://rubymountaintrails.blogspot.com/2012/01/hike-classifications.html" target="_blank">Class D - R (difficult with route finding)</a><br />
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<i>Time required:</i> Day hike or overnight<br />
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The Cold Lakes are a pair of lovely glacial lakes at the head of Middle Cold Creek canyon, nestled beneath one of the iconic and most photographed peaks in the Ruby Mountains, the Old Man in the Mountains. It's a remote, beautiful area, with a decent old trail that's generally easy to follow, and good trout fishing in the lakes once you get there.<br />
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There are a couple of obstacles you'll need to overcome, however, before you even set foot on the trail to Cold Lakes. One, access to this trailhead is through private property and you'll need to get permission from the property owner to go through. The good news is that these guys are long time local ranchers, they're great about access, and if you can catch them at home they're generally happy to give you the combination to the gate. The only caveat to that is when it's really muddy up there - they don't want it trashed and they'll keep the gate locked if it's wet. I won't do them the discourtesy of posting their phone number here, but you can call the rec manager at the USFS, 775-752-3357 or Joe Doucette with the Nevada Department of Wildlife, 775-777-2300 and they'll tell you how to reach them.<br />
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The second obstacle comes with trying to find the actual trailhead. There was a sign, once upon a time, but it's not there now and if you don't know how to find it you're in for some very steep ups and downs. Fortunately there's a bridge crossing right off the bat, and if you can find the bridge you're golden.<br />
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To get to the Cold Lakes trailhead, head south from Elko on Lamoille Highway, drive through the town of Lamoille to the T intersection at the Lamoille Church. Check your odometer. Turn left at this T onto a gravel road, turn right at the next T, and follow this road as it zig-zags through Lamoille's beautiful ranch country. You'll pass a nice ranch house at the bottom of a hill, with haystacks across the road. Follow the road as it climbs and curves around to the right. At 6.3 miles or so, you'll see a right turn that goes up a hill to a microwave station. Take this road to the locked gate, and open said gate with the combination you got from making all of those phone calls. Check your odometer again.<br />
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Drive through the gate on the good two-track road (passable by passenger cars) and follow it to an old homestead ranch. Drive past the ranch house through the gate by the corrals. You'll come to a fork in the road with what once was a pretty useful directional sign, now missing. Take the left fork and drive up a hill, paralleling an irrigation ditch. At the top of the hill, at about 1.6 miles from the locked gate, look for a bridge crossing the ditch on your left. That's your trailhead... park here.<br />
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It's pretty easy to get turned around right off the bat, because there are a lot of very predominant cow trails leading off of the main trail, and no signs or rock cairns differentiating the real trail from the rest. Count the drainages and don't take any turns. You'll cross one little dip right after the bridge, and you'll climb up and over to an almost immediate second drainage. That's the south fork of Cold Creek. Cross it, climb up again and over another hill to a much larger drainage - the main Cold Creek drainage, which is the one you want. Cross the creek onto a private ranch road and hang a right into a beautiful tunnel of aspens.<br />
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There is a lot of evidence of very high stream flows here. The rancher who runs cows here told me that the creek flooded big-time a few years ago. It took him a long time to clear this out. He and the local hunting guides are pretty much the only ones keeping this trail brushed out these days. The USFS trail crews rarely, if ever, get up here.<br />
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You won't go far along this road before you come to a new "National Forest Boundary" sign, followed by a much older sign marking the trail fork to North Cold Creek Canyon and to Cold Lakes, which are at the head of the Middle Cold Creek canyon.<br />
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The North Cold Creek crossing, right before it merges with the much larger middle fork.<br />
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Once you cross the creek, the trail starts climbing up the spine of a sagebrush and mahogany ridge. The trail right here pretty much goes straight up the fall line, as do many sections of the Cold Lakes trail. There's been significant trail damage over the years, from water and from the thousands of hooves that have pounded it for a century or so. By far, though, the majority of the damage has been done by water erosion.<br />
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The trail flattens out when it reaches the ridge, giving you a welcome respite from the climb. It starts contouring around the ridge on a very wide bench that has the look and feel of having been a road many years ago. It is quite plausible that it WAS a road once upon a time, as local lore says that the Southern Pacific Railroad used to take timbers out of this canyon back in the 1800s. There are a lot of very old stumps here and higher up the canyon, giving credence to the story.<br />
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At about 2.5 miles you're back in the aspens again, heading towards two more crossings of Middle Fork Cold Creek. Immediately after the first of those crossings you'll come to a trail junction. It isn't on current maps, but the 1967 USFS Forest Users Map shows a trail that leaves from about here and goes over the ridge to the South Fork Cold Creek drainage. We didn't follow it, so I couldn't tell you if that's the old trail or not. There are easier ways into that drainage these days, in any case.<br />
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After the next creek crossing you'll walk into an aspen wood with another unsigned trail junction at about 3.4 miles. Take the right fork, and you'll eventually reach a hunter's camp at about 3.7 miles.<br />
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It's obvious that the Basque sheepherders used this camp before the hunters did, because there are a lot of great old tree carvings through this stretch. We found legible ones dating back to the 1940's. This one, left by a fairly prolific gentleman named Pierre, was apparently his annual calendar.<br />
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Once you pass the hunter's camp, the trail gets quite a bit steeper, averaging an 18% grade. There are significant areas of water damage on the trail from here to the lake, as well as a few opportunities to lose the main tread and utilize cow trails as you continue upwards. The cow trails are in better shape than the main trail in a lot of spots. Generally speaking, once you leave the hunters camp, the trail leaves the creek and hugs the climber's left side of the drainage.<br />
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There are great views of the back side of the Old Man of the Mountains through here.<br />
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After a couple of steep, erosional climbs, you'll come to a set of rock cairns marking your way through a spot where the tread is pretty much missing. When you reach the first cairn, look to your right for the next one. The cairns in front of you mark what is essentially a cut switchback... the right route is much easier.<br />
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Once you pass the cairns the tread is very easy to find, even when snow-covered. There are some switchbacks and rock work to show you that someone did, in fact, construct this trail once upon a time.<br />
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It's truly lovely through here, with the austere alpine beauty that has made the Rubies famous. Best of all, you'll very likely have the place to yourself.<br />
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The final approach to the lake is pretty steep with a lot of trail damage, and runs along the climber's left side of the outflow stream from the lake.<br />
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Last few steps - you won't see the lakes until you're about standing in them.<br />
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The Cold Lakes sit in a rocky glacial cirque at just short of 10,000'. There's great fishing up here, and most visitors come up with horses and plan on staying several nights. We found a fully-stocked fishing camp between the lakes, complete with saw, shovel, tent, MREs, pots and pans, fishing pole... and wall art. Quite homey.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_c30AyGpxb6RwgHXVmWN-m48AfT8I2YkbtcHIPuJ_6keor7cSWYbyA8C0BnI9oqLLYMUfUaTaIa16iqfgN-udDhSONoCDOXVqK_HmvnJ3LEHoLv3-kNNNPt9io41OBrUZD_K5JG5lCAUs/s1600/Wall-art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_c30AyGpxb6RwgHXVmWN-m48AfT8I2YkbtcHIPuJ_6keor7cSWYbyA8C0BnI9oqLLYMUfUaTaIa16iqfgN-udDhSONoCDOXVqK_HmvnJ3LEHoLv3-kNNNPt9io41OBrUZD_K5JG5lCAUs/s400/Wall-art.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Overall, this is a great hike - well worth doing. Next time I'll bring a backpack and fishing pole, and head up a few weeks earlier before the lakes freeze up. This trip, though, was a fast one, and Bruce and I had to take off from the lakes pretty quickly to get back to the truck and beer before dark.<br />
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Here's a map of the route. Click on it to make it bigger.<br />
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<br />mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-57315899355458501152013-10-16T09:19:00.000-07:002016-04-10T17:06:32.969-07:00John Day Trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCZHYN6VRFXnNORl2-7W57co3nzs6DFaKQMSjEme2DszL5Z8kY7AGL9MmpGhg5U2QLv3vN8BHGFA6BYXJUmcGLjLLkCdiPBBEsJjq-5LFX5dfg5uUmmEDef8S2i1s5Vw3oj30zEwxD9aq/s1600/More-aspen-trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCZHYN6VRFXnNORl2-7W57co3nzs6DFaKQMSjEme2DszL5Z8kY7AGL9MmpGhg5U2QLv3vN8BHGFA6BYXJUmcGLjLLkCdiPBBEsJjq-5LFX5dfg5uUmmEDef8S2i1s5Vw3oj30zEwxD9aq/s400/More-aspen-trail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
If you're looking for an easy - really easy - day hike full of fall color, then the John Day trail is your hike. I wanted to get out yesterday but didn't have much time, so figured I'd re-visit this lovely small canyon. What a treat... surprisingly rarely visited given its accessibility and beauty.<br />
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John Day is the small canyon looker's right of Soldier Canyon, and the easiest public access is from Soldier Canyon itself. This means two things to visitors... one, fall is hunting season and the Soldier Canyon area is one of the few places hunters can access without having to arrange for permission from private landowners. That means that it's heavily used, often by hunters who don't have a whole lot of experience. Keep yourself safe by wearing day-glo orange - a lot of it. And if you're not absolutely certain your pooch will stay right at your heels, leave him at home.<br />
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The second thing to remember about Soldier Canyon is that the access road is closed to motor vehicles from November 15th through May 1st. A lot of people can - and do - use the canyon in the winter, but they park on Lower Lamoille Road and access the canyon on skis and snowshoes. If you want to drive to this trailhead, keep this closure in mind.<br />
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Here's some trail beta for you:<br />
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<b>JOHN DAY TRAIL</b><br />
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<i>Length:</i> 4 miles RT from trailhead in Soldier Canyon<br />
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<i>Elevation gain:</i> 1100'<br />
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<i>Difficulty: </i><a href="http://rubymountaintrails.blogspot.com/2012/01/hike-classifications.html" target="_blank">Class A</a> (easy)<br />
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<i>Time required:</i> Half-day<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDyaM2o8KKjjdjVJZB47Q6r2I58grrrPciXu4NX-BhNJvs-FPg-oIuHfDnfhbt427aht06ARa8cAnDnkUXsIIQwoYJYPuxcH-Y5wMZfFgGXNQCnAphrP21aFzNt2VUm8hLNRapYsimcD2/s1600/JD-trailhead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDyaM2o8KKjjdjVJZB47Q6r2I58grrrPciXu4NX-BhNJvs-FPg-oIuHfDnfhbt427aht06ARa8cAnDnkUXsIIQwoYJYPuxcH-Y5wMZfFgGXNQCnAphrP21aFzNt2VUm8hLNRapYsimcD2/s400/JD-trailhead.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The John Day trail is in good shape and is easy to follow. The Backcountry Horsemen and local hunting guides have done a good job keeping this trail brushed out, at least for the first couple of miles, and there are only a few spots where you'll have to step over or duck under deadfall. One guy with a chainsaw could have it cleared in about half an hour.<br />
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You'll find the trailhead you're looking for about 3.2 miles along the Soldier Canyon Road after it leaves Lower Lamoille Road. It's the first obvious grassy parking spot once you enter the canyon, and the trail itself is marked with a sign. The trailhead of the John Day Trail is all that's left of the old Secret-Lamoille Trail as it crossed Soldier Canyon. That trail ran from Secret Pass to Lamoille Canyon, largely across the benched foothills of the range, and the John Day Trail junction was about .2 miles in on that trail as it headed south and west from the Soldier Canyon Road.<br />
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The first .2 mile of this trail is quite steep - a 21% grade - because it is, in fact, a cut switchback. The original trail actually intersected the Soldier Canyon road a few hundred yards upstream. David Ashby, the former local USFS rec planner who inventoried all of the Ruby Mountain District trails a few years ago, told me that there wasn't a lot of point in re-establishing the old trail since the cut switchback was fairly stable and led to a natural parking area. So - unless you're interested in rooting out the old benched trail bed, this steep little climb right off the bat will be the beginning and the ending of your day. It's not as bad as it looks, and there's thankfully not a lot of dust and loose rock to jeopardize your footing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrw2BHT854HKiuxXJvImm_vOWyyTyYUNk6K1OmR_e2JnD7TH75HPPay4P6F3xBPtOnorCEbOKyt62FZUvD1rHqaP20AAOCIGz7Dy3K-xlJay6cjf9GwLvI94zmUpXeK9-Xl48NjaomtZ0/s1600/Old-cairn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrw2BHT854HKiuxXJvImm_vOWyyTyYUNk6K1OmR_e2JnD7TH75HPPay4P6F3xBPtOnorCEbOKyt62FZUvD1rHqaP20AAOCIGz7Dy3K-xlJay6cjf9GwLvI94zmUpXeK9-Xl48NjaomtZ0/s400/Old-cairn.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Once you gain the top of the little ridge you'll see an old cairn fading into the grass. This old cairn marked the S-L Trail/John Day Trail junction, and if you look you can see the old trail down to Soldier Canyon road off behind the cairn. Unfortunately, the junction it marked no longer exists, as John Day Creek flash flooded a few years back, destroying the crossing and creating an impressive, steep-walled gully barring you from reaching the S-L Trail. It's uncrossable without a rope and a belayer, and dangerous to try. Fortunately, a old subsidiary trail takes off from the John Day trail a little upstream. There's no cairn marking it and it wasn't readily obvious, but I'll chase it down and do a write-up on that one another day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWHTJSC6vjEzcOepd527pYlW9-eLsvK9R8EVnwBDCpugBkW39ZnYSpMN-3O7HCjgbAvhRcX0c1l9tvfUhMeI_tAZqX8J7znWszwZ4cyiwHaX1EIlvIh0V_G-GW_4O3YpvdoRbbRsd0G6h/s1600/Early-trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWHTJSC6vjEzcOepd527pYlW9-eLsvK9R8EVnwBDCpugBkW39ZnYSpMN-3O7HCjgbAvhRcX0c1l9tvfUhMeI_tAZqX8J7znWszwZ4cyiwHaX1EIlvIh0V_G-GW_4O3YpvdoRbbRsd0G6h/s400/Early-trail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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After you pass the old cairn the trail maintains a steady 10% climb, but the trail's so good and the grade is so consistent that you hardly notice you're gaining elevation. The first half mile or so contours around the climbers' left side of the canyon, through sandy soil with only infrequent shade provided by sparse mahoganies. It's pretty hot and dry through here in the summer, but the views make it worth the walk. There's a relatively new cairn along this stretch - not sure what it marks, perhaps an easier crossing of John Day Creek. Worth exploring if you have the time and aren't afraid of rattlesnakes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoyG8iespux9qR3XkdsNbxPHr75zEiY9ShSUYDc56N3cpLZjnOThaYcgb36NTHKFuoS1UFDAepQDNTct8b92_RAmgSuY6YnvCedxU-z5qijMqH4eiLD79LNyMhVSXJ7SACb2FQCVgDYK8/s1600/Cross-canyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoyG8iespux9qR3XkdsNbxPHr75zEiY9ShSUYDc56N3cpLZjnOThaYcgb36NTHKFuoS1UFDAepQDNTct8b92_RAmgSuY6YnvCedxU-z5qijMqH4eiLD79LNyMhVSXJ7SACb2FQCVgDYK8/s400/Cross-canyon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It doesn't take long for the trail to dive into a tunnel of aspen, and this is where it becomes truly lovely. The trail crosses the creek a few times, and you will probably have wet feet if you do this hike during high water.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulI3i9pX7-0N19_pOUuKVRvmqhSY3eG7UgpFqNQ9e_g0ihbDGL8HU7zyAFnLF8jed8XABDr4Q7csaVoONK25ArEojssCIo40NfAl_UV7GI3akw-PdenTV5qIDU40et-_bjuQx1jjci1W0/s1600/Aspen-trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulI3i9pX7-0N19_pOUuKVRvmqhSY3eG7UgpFqNQ9e_g0ihbDGL8HU7zyAFnLF8jed8XABDr4Q7csaVoONK25ArEojssCIo40NfAl_UV7GI3akw-PdenTV5qIDU40et-_bjuQx1jjci1W0/s400/Aspen-trail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EglCbPd_25Y-FpBkpIIjNgOkkMKXn_dvfB9m8t95OLw9eeJs-Z0FEYpSjKQ9o6ArAm0IDOO83eZ_lcM-pgKeXY8uxA0Pq4DWkEkT5wKKHiKWre-K-WC-t4qlvXzGSNGPwcMcHeu82x7e/s1600/Stream-detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EglCbPd_25Y-FpBkpIIjNgOkkMKXn_dvfB9m8t95OLw9eeJs-Z0FEYpSjKQ9o6ArAm0IDOO83eZ_lcM-pgKeXY8uxA0Pq4DWkEkT5wKKHiKWre-K-WC-t4qlvXzGSNGPwcMcHeu82x7e/s400/Stream-detail.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
At 1.7 miles, you'll reach the end of the nicely brushed-out trail at a grassy hunter's camp. Unlike some others, this one's pretty clean and is still a very pleasant place. I was more than surprised to find it unoccupied.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mOmmi9C4Z1ocL44_G4VCggEe8BLad8E9FaHPKRcUCRMwH0M2fhXSLdH5jndzf24V7ZhsFVkTnG079j3-ntmJHvap9Av4cn-EdIZzVB745oEzF0bbwswiL5BKuVkVvip_jZk1TQ0bakj7/s1600/Hunters-stove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mOmmi9C4Z1ocL44_G4VCggEe8BLad8E9FaHPKRcUCRMwH0M2fhXSLdH5jndzf24V7ZhsFVkTnG079j3-ntmJHvap9Av4cn-EdIZzVB745oEzF0bbwswiL5BKuVkVvip_jZk1TQ0bakj7/s400/Hunters-stove.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Past the camp, you can walk another quarter of a mile along the creek to a lovely little spot where the stream babbles and laughs in the summer. In the fall, it provides a peaceful spot and a great photo opportunity.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsabUcDt3a2uK4HmEFfudDH8gyHf4hyphenhyphenRT3gxiwLG5YF9vl0bnIEvQ0Ro6z-A8tWz_lv4pjPqIv0PYXOhOSqQIVB0ppjz6u8dxkl1dkcqB5uMmycRwSZPOek1VVb61o5ALiGNwwX8pRgkX9/s1600/Trails-end.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsabUcDt3a2uK4HmEFfudDH8gyHf4hyphenhyphenRT3gxiwLG5YF9vl0bnIEvQ0Ro6z-A8tWz_lv4pjPqIv0PYXOhOSqQIVB0ppjz6u8dxkl1dkcqB5uMmycRwSZPOek1VVb61o5ALiGNwwX8pRgkX9/s400/Trails-end.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
The map shows that the trail goes on for another half-mile, but there's very little evidence past this point that it ever existed. I was able to follow it for another quarter mile, but it was completely overgrown and a full-on bash through waist-deep brush. This trail would be easy enough to reclaim, if anyone were interested. It's a shame to lose the rest of such a nice walk.<br />
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Here's the map - click on it (and on any of these photos) to make it bigger.<br />
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<br />mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-90935417634689262792013-10-13T23:32:00.000-07:002016-04-10T17:09:35.988-07:00Autumn on the Secret-Lamoille Trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are in the throes of a stunningly lovely fall here in Lamoille, one of the most beautiful in recent memory. I'm not sure why we got so lucky this year, but the leaves started turning up in the Rubies several weeks ago and are showing an absolutely wonderful propensity for hanging on. That may change at any moment, of course, depending on weather. Today's snowfall up there may well have sounded the death knell for Fall 2013. I hope not, but you never know.<br />
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I've been doing a little hiking recently, gearing up for ski season. There's nothing to get me out on the trails faster than fall temperatures, golden leaves and the sure knowledge that my primary ski partner is working his butt off getting in shape. If I don't want my ass handed to me even more so than is usual, it behooves me to get out there and walk uphill pretty regularly.<br />
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I hadn't been to the end of the Secret-Lamoille trail project since spring, and so decided yesterday to walk to the end of this year's construction and see how far they've gotten. The answer - not much farther than they were at the end of last construction season, but they're moving through rough country and are doing a decent job with it. They have a snowfence closure at 3.96 miles, and the roughed-in trail ends another .22 miles past that. Their closure was at 3.68 miles this spring. There's a dead doe at the end of the roughed-in part who caught her foreleg in a pile of rocks and died of entrapment... let's hope she finishes decomposing before the city kids doing the trail work get back up there next spring. I didn't see a lot of point in stepping past her and enveloping myself in an aspen tangle bushwhack. I did that back when we did the NEPA survey for this trail, and that was plenty, thanks.<br />
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They'll be at approximately the half-way point in another half mile, as well as the most viable camping spot on the trail. That is a very sweet place to pitch a tent, with a drippy little spring nearby and endless Great Basin sunset views. The trail right now averages a 7% grade - aerobic but quite doable on a mountain bike and a whole lot more kind than the other hiking trails in the Rubies these days.<br />
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Right from the outset it's clear that this trail is getting regular use from hikers and mountain bikers, which made me happy to see. I've seen a lot of horse trailers parked up there this summer, too, which means the horsey set is out enjoying the new trail as well. Multiple-use... so nice to see everybody getting along.<br />
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They've gone back in and fixed a few old problems with the trail, although the switchbacks by and large still don't come close to meeting specs for a Class 2 equestrian trail (5' turning radius). It's a good thing there's no reason to take a pack string up there right now... that will change, though, when the trail gets to Talbot Creek. Personally, it doesn't make sense to me at all to build something wrong when you can build it right the first time, but so it goes. Based on what I'm seeing up there they have some folks on board now who have a clue, so hopefully they'll go back and bring those things up to spec down the road. We'll see. <br />
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The first few miles of the trail are settling in nicely, and weave in and out of some lovely drainages and through some beautiful little aspen groves during the initial climb. What a difference from when we had to bushwhack through that for the NEPA survey! So beautiful and such nice walking and riding right now.<br />
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The views out towards the Lamoille Valley are stunning, and they really give you an appreciation for the local ranching community. Without their passion and tenacity this whole area would be built up... covered with pavement and housing. Views like this one show the difference in our landscape the ranchers make, and I for one am very glad.<br />
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The portion of the trail that they worked on this year is a little rougher than what they finished previously, but based on what's been happening on the trail thus far I imagine they'll go back and polish it up a bit next summer. I was really glad to see that they fixed this asinine area... a couple of summers ago the brain surgeons running the show had the kids put in a couple of non- horse- or- bike- friendly stairs right here rather than taking the fairly obvious step of routing around. Fortunately, they went back in and fixed it and hopefully the screwed up part will fill back in sooner rather than later.<br />
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Some of the nice rock work on the new section... the rock work is worth taking time to examine all along the route.<br />
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Hopefully Ma Nature will give them a hand this winter, and break a little rock on this outcropping by freezing and thawing their drill holes.<br />
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All in all, it's a very enjoyable hike right now, as well as a great trip on a horse or MTB. Just remember to play well with others. I ran into a local rancher out walking up there a couple of days ago, and he commented on how much he was enjoying the trail. I did have to laugh to myself when he said it, remembering some of the comments from the yo-yos who so vehemently opposed the project. "It's ugly!" they said. "Nobody will ever use it!" They were wrong, and it gives me pleasure every time I'm up there and see all of those visitors' tracks.mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-21431927076807525952013-07-17T21:31:00.000-07:002013-07-17T21:31:15.819-07:00Technical difficultiesI've been more than a bit lax on my blog updates these days. The biggest reason is that my GPS and camera both died on a river trip in the Grand Canyon earlier this year, and I can't afford to replace them at the moment. Sorry about that. I figured that there's not a whole lot of point adding a bunch of paragraphs to this blog without good pictures, maps and trail beta to go with.<br />
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At some point I'll collect up enough ducats to get some replacement equipment going. I'm having to be patient, and so, dear reader, must you be too. <br />
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Happy exploring!mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-46164054080660891972013-06-06T11:46:00.001-07:002013-10-19T09:07:45.022-07:00No, you can't get to Verdi this way, yet...So, apparently, folks are hiking up the Secret-Lamoille trail these days, fishing poles in hand, hoping to bring home a nice trout dinner from Verdi Lake.<br />
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I hate to tell you this but you can't get through to Verdi yet via this trail. Not only that, you probably won't be able to get through to Verdi on this trail for a couple more years at the rate they're going.<br />
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Progress on trail construction is happening, but it's happening slowly. The crews are up there working again this summer pushing the trail through, but they still have some rough country and thick brush to cross. <br />
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The trail is beautiful and challenging and a great day hike or mountain bike ride, but right now it dead ends a little less than half-way to Talbot Canyon where the crews are working. Walk or ride on up, tell them "hi" and thank them for sweating in the sun on our behalf.<br />
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And in the meantime, if you want to get to Verdi, you can head up over the top of the Lamoille-Talbot ridge above the Terraces Picnic Area or you can make your way up the <a href="http://rubymountaintrails.blogspot.com/2010/09/old-guide-trail-to-talbot-canyon.html" target="_blank">old guide trail</a> that takes off at about the Glacier Overlook. Neither route is for sissies, and the old guide trail fades into the brush before you get to the top of the ridge. One of these days some trail fairies should go up there and finish brushing that trail out, but at the moment it eventually becomes very difficult to find.<br />
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The easiest way to get to Verdi right now - at least if you're willing to hike 16 miles or so round-trip - is through private property at the mouth of Talbot Canyon. The folks who own it are good folks and are pretty open-minded about access. You can pick up the old Secret-Lamoille trail behind their property and follow it to where it joins the Talbot Creek trail by a huge rock cairn. Call Nancy Taylor at the USFS for contact information for this and other access points in the Rubies - 775-752-3357. You can also call Joe Doucette at the Nevada Department of Wildlife for access information, 775-777-2300.mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048144684685709327.post-73228371855510737922013-06-06T10:10:00.001-07:002013-06-06T10:19:47.830-07:00National Trails Day!Can you believe it? My favorite day of the year is here!
NATIONAL TRAILS DAY is coming up on Saturday!
We're back up at the SnoBowl again this year, and if we get enough help will have a NEW bottom-to-top hiking and mountain biking trail complete and ready to use. The trail was roughed in last summer by volunteers and NDF crews, and if the stars align we should have it DONE by the end of work on Saturday.
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<a href="http://elkodaily.com/lifestyles/recreation/volunteers-needed-to-complete-snobowl-trail/article_57a5bc2c-cd45-11e2-b043-001a4bcf887a.html">Here's</a> a write-up that appeared on the front page of today's Elko Daily Free Press. Thanks, guys, for helping us get the word out!<br />
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Anyway - This SATURDAY, June 8th. 8AM at the Elko SnoBowl. Wear work clothes and gloves. We'll provide tools and lunch. Let's get this baby done!
Thanks to Raleys, the BLM and Event Source for helping us make this happen!<br />
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<br />mountaingirl1961http://www.blogger.com/profile/10688855160527527068noreply@blogger.com1