Portions of the Colorado Trail will be intermittently closed between today, Thursday, July 21 through Saturday, July 23 to allow for blasting work in the area. The work is needed to remove avalanche debris from spring 2019 avalanches in the area.
The Shoshone National Forest’s Specialty Pack String will enable the work to be completed in the quickest and safest fashion possible. The Pack String consists of horses and mules along with a Lead Packer and Assistant Packer, which provide assistance on a variety of projects on Forest Service units around the Rocky Mountain Region and beyond. “We are excited to welcome the regional Specialty Pack String to the San Juan National Forest,” stated Acting Columbine District Ranger Daniel Jordan. “What an amazing resource to help the forest achieve this important piece of our public service mission.”
The Regional Specialty Pack String will be housed at a San Juan National Forest corral prior to beginning the approximately 7-mile-long trek into the Weminuche Wilderness. The Coal Bank Ranch in the San Juan National Forest has facilities to that will help prepare the mules and the horses in the pack string before they begin their work later this week.
“This is the third summer we’ve been working on this project,” stated Kristina Schenck, Columbine District Lead Wilderness Ranger. “We’re looking forward to completing the project with our many supportive partners,” continued Schenck.
The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (D&SNGRR) is assisting with the logistics of the week-long work. The D&SNGRR is transporting 900 pounds of hay for the pack string to the Elk Park Station, a remote flag stop. Additionally, the D&SNGRR is carrying support personnel and tools. “We value our relationship with the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in helping to restore and protect resources on the San Juan National Forest and in the Weminuche Wilderness,” stated Acting Forest Supervisor Dave Neely. “Their support is fundamental in the success of this effort.”
The restoration and pack string work is funded by Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Colorado State Trail’s non-motorized trail grant program. Blasting with the Specialty Pack String should be complete on Saturday, July 23, enabling trail crews and wilderness rangers the opportunity to remove debris and re-establish the trail.
For more information, contact Scott Owen, Public Affairs Officer, at 970-422-2671 or Scott.Owen@usda.gov.