Friends of the Peak, the volunteer group that takes care of all things Pikes Peak, has a cool interactive map of Barr Trail on its web site. The map was developed to inform the Friends about trail problems – fallen trees, severe erosion, vandalism. Check it out, and while you’re there, sign up for an upcoming FOTP trail workday – you can still get in on projects on the South Slope, Devil’s Playground, and Buffalo Creek (also known as St. Mary’s Falls).
– Deb Acord
Related Link
|
|
|
This weekend we went camping near Leadville at 11,000 feet. With the Leadville 100 this weekend, I wanted to spend some more time at altitude. A couple weeks ago, I slept in the back of our van at 11,700 feet and I’ve done a few rides at altitude this summer but I don’t think I’ve spent as much time at altitude as normal.
I had also replaced several worn out parts on my bike plus switched to new tires so I wanted to give them a try on the Leadville 100 course. I rode most of what I wanted to see of the Leadville 100 course when I was there a couple weeks ago but I didn’t ride Powerline. Since I’ve been sick and didn’t want to push it, I had my wife drop me off at Carter Summit. I rode from there around the back side of Turquoise Lake, up Sugarloaf, down Powerline and over to the Fish Hatchery.
Just after I hit the pavement after Powerline, I saw Lance Armstrong, Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski and someone else I didn’t recognize coming toward me. I looked back and saw they stopped at some vehicles so I turned around. Lance was friendly and let me take a photo with him. He said this week was really busy for him so he would decide this week for sure whether he’s racing. He also said it’s been a while since he’s been fast. JHK said it was a really tough course but it sounded like he’ll be bringing his A game.
Since it was Boom Days in Leadville we checked it out. It seemed to be mainly booths selling trinket stuff but there were some mining competitions. I would liked to have seen them doing the rock drilling but when we were there they were just seeing how fast someone could fill an ore cart with gravel.
Sunday morning was the burro races. We didn’t stick around for them to come back to town. They had a few burros that they were letting people race for about a block and back. My girls wanted to do it. The 5 year old was very disappointed because they wouldn’t let her do it because she just had flip flops. They let my 7 year old do it but I had to do it with her. Normally I avoid running but it was fun pulling a burro down the street and we won our group.
– UltraRob
Related Links
|
|
|
(From ColoradoCaves.org)
One of the most fascinating natural dramas in Colorado is now easier to experience. A unique team effort involving the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the Orient Land Trust and the Saguache Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management/U.S. Forest Service has resulted in a viewing area near the Orient Mine in the San Luis Valley.
Each July and August, about 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats roost in the former mine, and just before dusk, they leave the cave to begin their nightly search for food. A massive column of bats exiting the mines continues for nearly an hour.
According to ColoradoCaves.org, the Orient’s bat colony is the largest in the state. The mine intersects several natural limestone cave passages. It has been closed to the public along with all caves on public land to prevent further spreading of White Nose Syndrome, a fungus that has been killing bats across the country.
The Orient Land Trust and the DOW worked in cooperation with the BLM-USFS office to offer public parking at the Black Canyon Trailhead. The one-mile trail leads to a viewing area for the mine. The trail can be accessed from Saguache County Road GG, north of the intersection of U.S. Highway 285 and Colorado Highway 17. To reach the trail, go east on Road GG and follow signs to the Black Canyon Trailhead. Hikers can also access the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness from the trailhead. The mine can also be reached farther up the road through the Valley View Hot Springs (a clothing-optional area).
Through August, guides will be stationed at the Black Canyon trailhead a few hours before dusk, about 5 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays. The trail is open, unguided, on the other days of the week.
For more information, go to www.olt.org
– Deb Acord
|
|
|
The U.S. Forest Service will sponsor the agency’s Volunteer Day with a project in the San Isabel National Forest near the Spanish Peaks on Aug. 7.
Volunteers will meet at the Dikes Trailhead and spend the day cutting brush, removing fallen trees and clearing drainage dips. The day starts with a 9:45 a.m. orientation and workers can each stay as long as they want to. The Dikes Trailhead is south of Cuchara off Highway 12. For more information, contact the U.S. Forest Service in La Veta at 1-719-742-3681.
– Deb Acord
|
|
|
A teenager from Golden has set a new record by landing the heaviest fish ever caught in Colorado.
Cody Moreland was fishing for bass at Prospect Park Lake in Jefferson County when he saw carp in the water. He says he decided to cast toward the bigger fish and within seconds, a 51-pound grass carp grabbed his lure.
Moreland fought the monster fish for 25 minutes. “Everyone was in awe,” he said. “Even my grandfather was shocked. He just kept saying, ‘Wow, that is the biggest fish I’ve ever seen.’”
The carp was 42 inches long and 28 inches around and weighed almost seven pounds more than the previous record-holder. (For the anglers out there, Moreland used a Rapala Dives-To lure, 14-pound line and Zebco rod and reel.)
– Deb Acord
|
|
|
We all love a simplified website address but the federal government has never really bought into the idea of simple, until now. The U.S. Forest Service – Pike and San Isabel National Forest, Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands has launched a new site, and the address is simpler – www.fs.usda.gov/psicc
According to a press release, the Department of Agriculture is working to standardize its agencies’ websites.
The site includes information on recreation, notices, news announcements, permits and more.
– Deb Acord
|
|
|
Here’s something we already knew – being outside in nature can make you feel more vibrant and alive. That’s the finding of a report in the Journal of Environmental Psychology.
Researchers conducted an experiment with college students, comparing their actual outdoor experiences with indoor experiences enhanced by photographs. Those who actually went outdoors felt more energetic. And here’s the cool thing – students in the study who didn’t go outside but imaged themselves in a nature setting also felt more energetic.
– Deb Acord
Related Link:
|
|
|
Saturday I stayed at the 24 Hours of eROCK mountain bike race a little longer than I planned because of a thunderstorm and a little rain. It meant that I got to see a beautiful sunset just south of Monument as I was riding home on the Santa Fe Trail. The different colors and light on the thunderclouds was amazing.
– UltraRob
|
|
|
This weekend it’s free to get into over 100 National Parks. It’s the 2nd set of days this year for free entry. There are 3 more times this year for free entry. They are
|
|
|
The Colorado State Parks Aspen Leaf pass has always been a good deal for seniors. Now, it’s even better. Governor Bill Ritter signed a law on Wednesday that makes the pass good for a lifetime.
The pass, for Colorado residents 64 and older, allows unlimited access to all Colorado State Parks, as well as discounted camping Sundays through Thursdays (excluding holidays).
For more information, go to the Colorado State Parks website.
|
|
|
Blog RSS Feed
Like on Facebook
Follow on Twitter
Flickr
Contact