As part of the continuing effort to restore forest trails following the High Park Fire, the Poudre Wilderness Volunteers (PWV) are coordinating a volunteer day for the Young Gulch Trail in the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests on September 7th.
Volunteers of all skill levels can participate, but must be at least 18 years old. Work will include moving rocks to create water dams, stabilizing stream crossings, building a retaining wall, weed management and moving down trees to help with soil conservation – restoration that will help stabilize the trail and limit erosion. Forest Service crews have done some work along the trail to make it safer for volunteers, including cutting hazardous trees along the route.
Up to 100 people could participate in this event. Volunteers are asked to carpool due to the limited parking at the trailhead. Volunteers need to wear long sleeved shirts and pants (no shorts), gloves, and work boots. Hard hats and tools will be provided. Be sure to bring lunch and water.
To register, or for additional information, please click here.
Please note that an area closure is still in place for much of the High Park Fire burn area. This is due to both safety concerns from flash floods and restoration efforts. For more information about recreation opportunities on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District, please call visitor information at 970-295-6700 or check the web at www.fs.usda.gov/arp.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Showing posts with label High Park Fire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label High Park Fire. Show all posts
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Thursday, May 2, 2013
High Park Fire BAER Activities Begin Again; Closure Area Increases
The Canyon Lakes Ranger District is beginning Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) activities on National Forest System (NFS) lands on the High Park Fire burn area starting as soon as May 6.
Next week, those in the vicinity of the Poudre Canyon could see helicopters flying overhead. They are doing aerial mulching on high priority areas, where the fire burned at a high intensity potentially damaging the soil and causing run-off concerns. Last year, 881 acres were mulched with wood shreds. This spring and early summer approximately 4,700 acres will be treated with agricultural straw. Treatment is expected to continue, as conditions allow, through July 1.
Adjacent landowners are being informed of the mulching plans. There is a 300 foot buffer next to private land; however, some mulch could unintentionally land on private land.
For safety and rehabilitation reasons, the area closure currently in effect is being expanded to include areas where helicopters will be working overhead. The closure includes the burn area south of Colorado Highway 14, except the area commonly referred to as “Crystal Wall” climbing area. There is also a small area on the north side around Stevens Gulch that is closed. Except for Young Gulch Trail and the Kruetzer/Mount McConnell Trail, which remain closed; the developed recreation sites along the Poudre Canyon are open or will open as scheduled. The Old Flowers, West White Pine, and Monument Gulch roads remain closed. A closure area map will be posted online.
Along with the aerial mulching, other activities will be taking place within the burn area throughout the spring and summer. Crews are already doing preliminary work on the Young Gulch Trail, with volunteer days expected later in the summer to complete much needed work on this highly-impacted trail. Noxious weed treatment will be taking place both within the High Park and Hewlett burn areas in cooperation with Larimer County. Additional road and trail work is also expected to occur.
Falling trees are a safety concern – both in burned and unburned areas. Rolling and falling rocks can also become a hazard in these areas when the soil is less stable. Remember, your safety is your responsibility. Be sure to check the weather in case of flash floods in the burn area and to check the status of Highway 14.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Next week, those in the vicinity of the Poudre Canyon could see helicopters flying overhead. They are doing aerial mulching on high priority areas, where the fire burned at a high intensity potentially damaging the soil and causing run-off concerns. Last year, 881 acres were mulched with wood shreds. This spring and early summer approximately 4,700 acres will be treated with agricultural straw. Treatment is expected to continue, as conditions allow, through July 1.
Adjacent landowners are being informed of the mulching plans. There is a 300 foot buffer next to private land; however, some mulch could unintentionally land on private land.
For safety and rehabilitation reasons, the area closure currently in effect is being expanded to include areas where helicopters will be working overhead. The closure includes the burn area south of Colorado Highway 14, except the area commonly referred to as “Crystal Wall” climbing area. There is also a small area on the north side around Stevens Gulch that is closed. Except for Young Gulch Trail and the Kruetzer/Mount McConnell Trail, which remain closed; the developed recreation sites along the Poudre Canyon are open or will open as scheduled. The Old Flowers, West White Pine, and Monument Gulch roads remain closed. A closure area map will be posted online.
Along with the aerial mulching, other activities will be taking place within the burn area throughout the spring and summer. Crews are already doing preliminary work on the Young Gulch Trail, with volunteer days expected later in the summer to complete much needed work on this highly-impacted trail. Noxious weed treatment will be taking place both within the High Park and Hewlett burn areas in cooperation with Larimer County. Additional road and trail work is also expected to occur.
Falling trees are a safety concern – both in burned and unburned areas. Rolling and falling rocks can also become a hazard in these areas when the soil is less stable. Remember, your safety is your responsibility. Be sure to check the weather in case of flash floods in the burn area and to check the status of Highway 14.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
The Fern Lake Fire - One of the largest in Colorado history
With the arrival of several inches of snow in Rocky Mountain National Park over the last couple of days, it's a pretty safe bet to say that the Fern Lake Fire has been extinguished.
The fire that began as a result of an illegal campfire on October 9th has burned 3498 acres in the lower Forest Canyon, Cub Lake and Moraine Park areas, making it the largest wildfire in Rocky Mountain National Park history. According to an Examiner.com article from June, the Fern Lake Fire would be ranked as the 30th largest wildfire in Colorado history.
The 2002 Hayman Fire ranks as the largest fire in state history. That blaze burned 137,760 acres southwest of Denver, and resulted in 5 deaths, 16 injuries and 600 structures destroyed.
The High Park Fire (Larimer County) in June of this year is considered to be the second largest fire in state history. That fire burned 87,284 acres, killed 1 person, and destroyed 259 homes.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
The 2002 Hayman Fire ranks as the largest fire in state history. That blaze burned 137,760 acres southwest of Denver, and resulted in 5 deaths, 16 injuries and 600 structures destroyed.
The High Park Fire (Larimer County) in June of this year is considered to be the second largest fire in state history. That fire burned 87,284 acres, killed 1 person, and destroyed 259 homes.
Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
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