San Juan Mountains Association’s Annual FUNdraiser, Christmas Trees for Conservation
By Nick McKey
I got the first text from a friend to go skiing on October 21st this year. Safe to say with this early cold snap, we’re all looking forward to the winter rituals after a hot summer. I’ll say, I’m a summer guy myself, I’d rather be on my bike, in a t-shirt, with the light not leaving until 9pm or later. But, with holidays on the horizon, and it invokes now-happy memories of my dad making me stand in the street making sure the wreaths on the front porch pillars at my childhood home back in Michigan were level.
The rituals I’ve been dropped into here at the San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA) office are a little less Christmas Story. When I interviewed for my position in late June, I was told that I would be immersed in the holiday spirit starting in September with our “Christmas Trees for Conservation” fundraiser. This is SJMA’s only fundraising event, and it provides critical support for all of our stewardship and education programs. I’m so thankful for my old man helping me love the holidays. Every time we’ve driven out to Beaver Meadows, the location of our tree harvest, I have to remind myself that it’s not normal to want to play Christmas music in September.
Out in Beaver Meadows, a sleepy little spot northeast of Bayfield, we’ve been busy counting, measuring, and marking White Firs to stock our Christmas Tree Lot down at the D&SNGRR lot. These White Firs, whilst a staple of an idyllic pine forest, are the perfect ladder fuel. Unlike their larger, more fire-adapted cousin, the ponderosa, they don’t drop their lower branches, their sap is an incredibly efficient fire starter, and the juvenile pines are super adept at crowding around other trees. This makes the white fir a terrifying multiplier for any fire that would come through the forest. SJMA’s fundraiser has the added benefit of improving forest health, albeit in a small, but meaningful way.
Our goal is to take 450 of these white firs from the forest and put them in homes for the holidays. The humble white fir doesn’t drop its needles for quite some time after being cut, usually they’re fairly symmetrical, and we get them cut at the right height to fit just right for Durango homes. But obviously, cutting, hauling, moving, netting, and selling 450 Christmas trees is too big of a task for SJMA’s permanent staff, and that’s where we ask the community to give us a hand! There’s a task, cookies, and hot drinks for everyone who wants to pitch in and help, whether you want to sell trees or get a peek into what fuel mitigation looks like!
We’re looking for all the help we can get on our cut day, which is Saturday, November 23rd at Beaver Meadows. Having worked in conservation for the last 4ish years, I can tell you that the more hands we’ve got, the more efficient we can be. Our biggest bottleneck is getting trailers to get them down from Beaver Meadows to our lot at the D&SNGRR, so if you’ve got a trailer you don’t mind potentially getting a little muddy, please consider signing up! If you’re not interested in driving trailers, we’ve also got a massive need for volunteers to help move and net the trees up at Beaver Meadows and to help set up the lot in town. If you’ve got the time and can switch from Thanksgiving spirit to Christmas and back on that Saturday, we’d love to have you join us.
Once the trees are down in the lot, we sell them from the 29th of November until they’re all sold, so if removing trees from the mountains isn’t your speed, we invite you to join us at the tree lot. There’s a job suitable for all skill levels every day starting on the 29th. Located downtown, in the middle of the holidays, it’s an engaging time slinging trees to folks. Looking through the pictures from past tree lots, I have seen so many pictures of old friends, so even though it’s my first Christmas Tree lot with SJMA, I know it’s going to be a hoot of a time with new and old friends celebrating the holidays, supporting SJMA, and helping our public lands.
Nick McKey, SJMA’s Volunteer Coordinator
- Published in Stewardship
Stewarding the Alpine Loop: Protecting the Heart of Colorado’s High-Alpine Wilderness
By Aubrey Balcom
The Alpine Loop, a rugged byway winding through Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, is renowned for its stunning vistas, rugged terrain, and remote beauty. But behind its breathtaking landscapes is a region rich with history and fragile ecosystems that require careful stewardship. As an Alpine Loop Ambassador for the San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA) based in Silverton, Colorado, I learned that while these lands attract adventure-seekers, they also require a deep commitment to their protection.
Dating back to the 1870s, the Alpine Loop has long been shaped by Colorado’s mining boom. Today, remnants of this mining legacy—ghost towns, abandoned mine shafts, and machinery—serve as physical reminders of the area’s past. However, these historical features also bring modern challenges. The lingering effects of mining activities, such as erosion, contamination, and habitat disruption, make conservation efforts all the more critical. While history is important, balancing these legacies with ecological health requires careful management.
Beyond its historical significance, the Alpine Loop is home to some of Colorado’s most rare and delicate ecosystems, such as high-altitude wetland fens. These wetlands, often found at elevations above 10,000 feet, are incredibly rare but crucial to the region’s ecological health. Acting as natural water filters, fens trap pollutants and regulate water flow, which helps maintain the integrity of the surrounding environment. They also support unique plant and animal species that rely on their delicate balance. Protecting these ecosystems from disturbances is critical, as even small impacts can have significant consequences.
In addition to these rare ecosystems, the Alpine Loop hosts a variety of iconic wildlife. Beaver, for example, play a key role in shaping the landscape through their dam-building activities, which provide vital habitat for other species. Moose, once nearly extirpated in Colorado, have made a strong comeback in the area and are often spotted grazing in the meadows. Other wildlife includes yellow-bellied marmots, pikas that dart among the rocks, and a wide range of bird species that thrive in these high-alpine environments.
While monitoring these ecosystems, I was also fortunate to witness an extremely rare sight—a badger meandering over to its den at nearly 12,000 feet. This unexpected encounter reminded me just how resilient and interconnected these ecosystems are. The Alpine Loop’s wildlife, from the smallest pika to the rare badger, all depend on healthy, undisturbed habitats.
As an ambassador, my role was to educate visitors about their impact on this unique wilderness. Whether stationed at trailheads or driving the rugged Alpine Loop roads, I spoke with hikers, OHV riders, and campers about minimizing their impact on the land. Staying on designated trails, respecting wildlife habitats, and practicing Leave-No-Trace principles were essential to ensuring that these rare ecosystems remained intact for future generations.
In addition to education, I also monitored the health of the Alpine Loop by tracking visitor numbers, noting trail wear, and observing changes in the wetlands and tundra. By documenting these conditions and reporting them to BLM officials, I contributed to conservation efforts aimed at preserving the loop’s beauty and ecological integrity for future generations.
The stewardship of the Alpine Loop is a collective responsibility. From its mining history to its rare ecosystems and diverse wildlife, protecting this land is essential to preserving its beauty and ecological health. Through education, awareness, and responsible recreation, we can ensure that the Alpine Loop remains a wild, pristine wilderness for years to come.
Aubrey Balcom served as the Alpine Loop Ambassador for the San Juan Mountains Association, she is an environmental educator and Master of Environmental Management student at Western Colorado University, with a passion for wildlife photography and mountain exploration. You can find some of her photography work on Instagram: @aubrey_outside
- Published in Stewardship
Securing San Juan stewards
By Thomas Fritz
With school back in action, and students returning to classrooms for the fall semester, SJMA will be joining right alongside them. Education staff look forward to teaching local students about the wonder of the place they call home and helping them spend quality time in it. Throughout fall, students in the San Juan Mountains region will receive place-based experiential education to better understand the world around them. Students who participate in SJMA’s educational programs are proven to develop a strong sense of stewardship – not only toward general ecological systems, but also toward the mountains they call home. SJMA’s mission is to work with the new generation of stewards to inspire and promote a sense of responsibility in caring for the land.
Over the course of the fall semester:
- SJMA will guide students through lessons on geologic processes to understand how the mountains have formed and are actively changing. Field trips to local sites that provide a close-up view of these processes are an exciting way to learn experientially by interacting firsthand with the landscape.
- Students have the opportunity to engage with the regional biodiversity through lessons on life cycles, plant and animal adaptations as well as biomes based on elevation.
- As winter approaches, students will understand how different organisms prepare for the cold weather and how watersheds transition into “snow sheds” – and if that has an effect on the lives of residents of the area.
Playing the long game of securing San Juan stewards has paid out (and continues to) when reflecting on the impact SJMA programs have had on students. The investment in educating these students transfers to their families when they recreate on the landscape. As the students learn and grow, they inevitably teach others about why we should care for the land.
At SJMA we get to watch “local kids” who participated in summer camps and school programs get out and earn degrees that assist them in giving back to the San Juans. Teal Lehto, one of these examples, was a student who participated in Durango Nature Studies programs in her youth prior to the merger with San Juan Mountains Association in 2020. Teal credits her early engagement with DNS as part of the inspiration for her degree in Environmental Studies. Now an activist for water rights and founder of Western Water Girl, Teal continues to work closely with SJMA to promote stewardship over the region through her time as a Forest Ambassador and now Social Media Manager. This is one example that not only are SJMA’s educational programs fun and engaging, they also have a lasting effect on those that participate to help better the world around us.
Securing future stewards to continue this effort for years to come does have its challenges. Without partnerships SJMA would have a difficult time delivering the effective lessons we are so lucky to share. San Juan National Forest, local landowners, farmers, and partner organizations are a crucial part of the education local youth receive. SJMA has established a relationship of trust in the surrounding area that students’ education will be at the forefront when it comes to planning field trips, visiting local farms, touring conserved properties and understanding how humans play a role in the ever-changing landscape. This is not to say that effective experiences require families to have the same partnerships to be great stewards of the land. Part of SJMA’s mission is to communicate with locals and visitors alike, the beauty of our public lands. When students have the opportunity to learn from SJMA’s education team, they often find themselves in places they have never seen before even though they’ve lived in the area their whole lives. Exposure to new places, environments and ecological systems help broaden the idea of what “home” truly means to these students and that is the first step in not only understanding but also loving and caring for the special place we get to share in the San Juan Mountains.
Thomas Fritz is SJMA’s Education Specialist helping youth connect to the natural world.
- Published in Education, Stewardship
Erosion: The Power of Water
Wherever you are from, I’m sure you’ve had out-of-towners ask you, “Is this weather normal?” Here in the San Juan Mountains, the answer is always yes. From a blizzard in July to 70 degrees in January to the most still and blue-skied day you could imagine, it all falls into the ever broadening range of “normal.” And around here, more than your average number of people actually experience this weather up close and personal. I’m sure many of you have been out in it – like it or not.
One aspect of the weather that has been pushing itself outside of our wide range of “normal” is the severity. In late June, the Animas River in Durango was a confused chameleon. Spring runoff had it colored an acceptable paper bag brown for several days. But then it abruptly went to its late-summer translucent blue-green. And then, seemingly without warning, it switched to an opaque cafe latte between breakfast and dinner.
Intense isolated rain storms have further fueled my lifetime obsession with the geologic process of erosion. For 17 years, I have worked outdoors and witnessed the ebb and flow of weather’s tranquility and ferocity. My time as a Forest Ambassador for San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA) has been no exception. I have seen waterfalls crop up suddenly in places where I’d never known them to occur. But I’ve also experienced those cobalt blue-sky days that are so calm, I wonder if the world has ended and nobody told me. I am perpetually in awe of nature’s beautiful indifference.
Erode is defined by Merriam-Webster as “to diminish or destroy by degrees” and, specific to geology, “to wear away by the action of water, wind, or glacial ice.” In the early 1800s, geologists had settled into two parties when it came to erosion. The exemplary book The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko explains these two diverse schools of thought. The Catastrophists argued that the rugged landforms of our planet came about via “abrupt, cataclysmic events; Then there were the Uniformitarians, eventually called Gradualists, whose observations deduced that topography was formed very slowly and evenly over long periods of time.
Well, they were both right. By the 1960s, geologists understood that the slow moving processes of mountain building and glacial erosion were, to quote Fedarko, interspersed with “brief moments of exceptionally brutal violence in which things happen very quickly indeed.”
While the cataclysmic events in the San Juan Mountains don’t quite classify as “debris flows” like those in the Grand Canyon, we do get “gully washers” which lead to flash floods, rock slides, and mudslides. During these events, the ground and the plants rooted within it cannot absorb the water quickly enough despite how much they might need it. This summer we’ve seen several mudslides that block traffic such as just north of Durango on Hwy 550 and down in the Animas Canyon across the railroad tracks.
Critters such as pocket gophers can unwittingly help with percolation – their extensive burrowing in search of tasty roots aerating the soil and creating quick ways for the deluges to permeate the ground. But the sheer ferocity of recent downpours – which sometimes include hail – produce more water than can be absorbed. And since the San Juans aren’t flat, the result is the abrupt erosion of topsoil as the precipitation pulls it downhill.
So when you are caught out there this monsoon season, be safe but take time to marvel at the beautiful indifference of nature. Perhaps part of your favorite trail will wash out tomorrow. Or the clear creek you fished today will be a muddy mess next week. And when a passerby asks if this is normal, you can smile and tell them yes.
MK Thompson is a Forest Ambassador for SJMA. Learn more at sjma.org or MK’s page, artofmisadventure.com
- Published in Stewardship, Visitor Information
Include Contingencies in Your Recreation Plans
Ahhh, summer in the San Juan Mountains. I’ve lived all over the country, and there really is no better place to be in the summer. San Juan Mountains Association’s (SJMA) Forest Ambassadors can attest to the popularity of our region as numbers of visitors to popular trails have swelled in the past few weeks.
Working in partnership with the San Juan National Forest (SJNF) and all the other land management agencies that have a role in caring for the vast public lands in this area, those of us at SJMA have watched visitation and recreation reach record levels in the last four years. We often wonder if those numbers will reset. Anecdotally, based on what I have seen as I have traveled around the San Juans this summer and heard from our Ambassadors, volunteers, and land management partners, that certainly doesn’t appear to be the case this summer.
It’s been somewhat of a slow start to the summer, with an unusual amount of rain impacting June. At SJMA, we have routinely adjusted our itineraries for our summer camps and worked with our volunteers and partners to reschedule events impacted by rainy weather or Mother Nature’s shenanigans – like the recurring rock slides impacting access into and out of Chicago Basin (and Silverton, too) via the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
This past holiday weekend was glorious, and based on reports from SJMA staff and volunteers across the region, everyone wanted to be outside. Unfortunately, one trend that we see is the unrelenting determination of visitors who simply must experience a particular trail when they want to, regardless of natural or crowded conditions.
SJMA Forest Ambassadors reported well over 1,000 visitors at the Ice Lake Trailhead over the weekend, with accompanying parking infractions. Our Alpine Loop Ambassadors encountered more than 1,200 motorized users over the holiday weekend. Those are just two locations where SJMA has a regular presence. All told, SJMA’s ten Forest Ambassadors were spread across a total of ten different locations over the holiday weekend, and cumulatively, they engaged with more than 3,800 visitors.
It’s tough to determine the exact point at which we are “loving a place to death.” There are clear rate-limiting factors, like available parking spaces at trailheads or train tickets that deliver backpackers to Needleton – but even then, some determined folks want to push the boundaries. Other times, our plans are simply interrupted by natural conditions – like the aforementioned rockslide along the tracks between Needleton and Elk Park – or more recently, the series of mudslides that have severely impacted the Animas River Trail between the
Cascade Wye and Needle Creek. Sometimes, it’s a little more difficult to determine when to change plans – for instance, how muddy does a trail have to be before we all should give it a couple days to dry out?
Therein lies the challenge for all of us as stewards of the land. I would guess that most of you reading this column treasure our public lands – and probably moved here to enjoy them. We all know the joy and excitement in planning for our next outing. It is a bummer when things don’t go according to plan, but the reality is that there are factors that impact our plans all the time. We encourage everyone to incorporate contingency plans into your recreation schedule if your primary destination is already at capacity or the weather has impacted trails. We are blessed with a wealth of recreation opportunities in the San Juans, and sometimes wejust have to be willing to pivot and go with “Plan B” (or C or even D).
Our public lands will benefit if we collectively adopt a mindset that we are here to care for these lands that we love in addition to using them for our own personal satisfaction. Managers of public lands don’t arbitrarily impose limits to impact your fun. When policies and regulations go into effect, it is done to care for these places for the long term or – in the case of parking restrictions – to ensure access by emergency responders if the need arises (and it already has multiple times in some of our more popular destinations).
While it may not be apparent that these wild lands are managed, there are a great number of organizations that work in partnership with the SJNF and our other land management agencies to help care for the San Juans. Consider giving back to help care for these lands you love – whether it’s by joining or volunteering with SJMA or one of the many other organizations that help care for the San Juans. Take care out there, and continue to enjoy the most amazing of places – responsibly, of course.
- Published in Stewardship, Visitor Information
Stewardship is for all. A small gesture can go a long way.
Looking back, the last few weeks were a blur. I am not sure where the month of May went, but June was quick to take its place. Starting the season off strong, SJMA welcomed our seasonal stewardship crews with two weeks of training and prepping for the busy summer ahead.
Both the Forest Ambassadors and our Alpine Loop ambassadors made their debuts on Memorial Day weekend, hitting the popular hot spots on both the San Juan National Forest and the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests greeting visitors and relaying important information to the public. Our Ice Lake trailhead tent is up and running and our base camp at Blue Lakes trailhead will be constructed this weekend. As an exciting addition to our foot patrol cadre this year, we have two Alpine Loop Ambassadors joining us. These Ambassadors will spend time patrolling the popular Alpine Loop and working in conjunction with our Bureau of Land Management partners both on the landscape and in the BLM office on Greene St in Silverton. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to provide this service to the public and couldn’t have done it without the support of our partners at the BLM.
Our SJMA Wilderness Crew has successfully completed its first hitch of the season, clearing downed trees along Vallecito creek. In collaboration with our partners at SJNF, this hardworking backcountry crew is tasked with clearing trees with crosscut saws as well as collecting critical data on social trails and campsites in the Weminuche Wilderness. With grit and determination this close knit crew clears the trails one tree at a time. By season’s end, you do not want to challenge anyone from this team to an arm wrestling match!
Summer is upon us, and the uptick in temperatures and recreationists on our public lands is noticeable. People and wildlife are leaving their winter desert oases and migrating toward the cooler forests and alpine regions. As stewards of this land it is important to realize we all play a crucial role in doing our part to care for the public lands we relish. It never needs to be a grand gesture. Even picking up a piece of trash when you are out makes a difference to those coming behind you and the wildlife that calls this place home. There is no stewardship “season.” It is a year round responsibility shared by us all, and we at SJMA are excited to see you out there by our side doing your part. It’s going to be a great summer, especially if we’re working together!
Meg Burke, SJMA’s Stewardship Director, lives in Mancos and spends most of her spare time hiking with her dogs and exploring the area.
- Published in Stewardship
Day in the life of SJMA volunteer trail ambassador
A group of eight people walked up to us from the parking lot – kids and parents – with a small backpacks, wearing tennis shoes and holding a couple plastic water bottles. “Welcome to Ice Lake trailhead!” I called out, letting them know we’re here to help. Chatting with the group, we learned they were from out of town, here on a 5 day trip. Their dream was to see an alpine lake – ideally Ice Lake and Island Lake. They had seen photos of the blue water, the fields of wildflowers, and snowy mountain peaks. They were excited to hike but didn’t know it’s a steep 3.5 miles uphill with almost 2500 feet of elevation gain before seeing blue water. “That sounds hard!” said one of the kids. We agreed.
We made sure they knew how much water to bring (at least 2 liters per person), the potential rain in the afternoon forecast, and how to protect Ice Lake from human impacts (pack out your trash, stay on the trail, and give wildlife plenty of space). In 15 minutes, the families were heading out on the trail with big smiles – prepared with some additional water, snacks and rain jackets packed into their bags.
This is a glimpse into a typical Saturday morning in July around 9 a.m., for San Juan Mountains Association volunteer trail ambassadors who sign up for a shift at Ice Lake trailhead near Silverton. Standing at the SJMA tent at the trailhead, an SJMA volunteer and I spent the day sharing information about Ice Lake trail and how to responsibly recreate in this fragile alpine environment. Later, a volunteer climbed the trail to chat with visitors at the lake, answering questions, guiding backpackers to durable camping spots and advising hikers to get off the ridge by midafternoon as the threat of afternoon monsoons grew.
Working in partnership with the San Juan National Forest and other federal land management agencies, our SJMA volunteer trail ambassadors are often the first line of contact at popular places like Ice Lake trail, Blue Lakes trail, Chicago Basin, and more. As these places keep getting more attention, more people will keep coming to the San Juans to see our beautiful landscapes every year!
With support from you, our community, as volunteers and SJMA members, we are able to protect these places by sharing helpful and friendly information about how to recreate responsibly and leave no trace.
If you’d like to be a part of this effort to protect our iconic locations, join our volunteer community by signing up at sjma.org/volunteer to become a volunteer trail ambassador this summer! Or reach out to me directly with questions or ideas at msaunders@sjma.org.
Marly Saunders is the Volunteer Coordinator for San Juan Mountains Association and is excited to see you out on the trails this summer!
- Published in Stewardship, volunteers
Winter Escapades: Embracing a Versatile Winter Wonderland
By Olivia Maclean
As winter blankets the landscape with its pristine coat of snow, adventurers of all kinds eagerly await the opportunity to delve into the snowy wonderlands. Weather-conscious locals make the most of new snow and blue skies as the parking lots along Wolf Creek and Molas Passes fill with visitors from afar who have been tracking the most recent storm; each snowfall a fresh invitation to explore.
For skiers, the season heralds endless opportunities to carve powder-laden slopes and explore the serene beauty of the snow-covered San Juan and Rio Grande National Forests. From the adrenaline rush of downhill descents on Lobo Overlook to the tranquil solitude of Nordic trails at Big Meadows or Fall Creek, each outing offers the pure essence of winter.
Snowshoers, too, find their winter haven amidst the serene landscapes of the National Forests. Their snowshoes allow them to tread softly over the deep snow while witnessing the undisturbed wildlife and the intricate frost patterns across the landscape.
Snowmobilers from across the country keep a vigilant eye for snowfall to have a chance at cruising across vast expanses of Wolf Creek Pass with their machines; winter provides a playground waiting to be explored. While skiers, snowshoers, and snowmobilers share a passion for exploration, conflicts sometimes arise. Skiers and snowshoers, accustomed to the tranquility of gliding through the snow under their own power, may find the roar and tracks of snowmobiles disruptive to the experience. Likewise, snowmobilers, who relish the freedom to roam, are irritated at the thought of their terrain being diminished.
Yet, skiers, snowshoers, and snowmobilers share a common bond—a deep appreciation for the beauty and grandeur of the champagne powder of Colorado. The majority of motorized and non-motorized recreationists understand the importance of responsible recreation, respecting the ecosystems that they traverse and minimizing their impact on the environment.
The San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA), in partnership and with support from the San Juan and Rio Grande National Forests, has employed two snow ambassadors this winter. Colin Courtney has been stationed at the Andrews Lake parking lot, where SJMA has been stationed for the 3rd consecutive winter season, and Olivia Maclean has served as our inaugural Snow Ambassador at Wolf Creek Pass.
Throughout the winter, SJMA offers educational programs centered on understanding our wintry world better. SJMA Snow Ambassadors have interacted with more than 2,300 winter recreationists – both motorized and non-motorized – to ensure that they understand daily avalanche and weather conditions and the importance of recreating responsibly. This partnership is essential in nurturing mutual respect among all individuals dedicated to maintaining unrestricted access to National Forests no matter how they enjoy the region’s vast public lands.
Many of us share a common love for the winter landscape. By recognizing and respecting each other's preferences and adhering to established trail guidelines (set in place by the respective Forest Service), skiers, snowshoers, and snowmobilers can coexist harmoniously, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the splendor of this region’s snowy wonderland in their own ways.
Olivia Maclean, SJMA’s Wolf Creek Snow Ambassador, cherishes both backcountry skiing and snowmobiling.
- Published in Stewardship, Winter
Stewardship doesn’t sleep
By Meghann Burke
Although it has been a late start to winter, snowflakes have finally started flying across the San Juan Mountains, and San Juan Mountains Association’s winter stewardship and education programs have launched as well. No hibernation for the SJMA crew.
SJMA has an array of educational opportunities and activities for everyone in the family this winter. In partnership with the Durango Nordic Center, we kicked off our winter events with the first Full Moon Howler of the season on December 26th. Under the radiant Wolf moon, SJMA staff and volunteers led 60 people on an interpretive snowshoe hike for an evening of intriguing facts, amazing views and hot chocolate by the fire pit. Do not worry if you missed that one. The Nordic Center has two more Full Moon Howler events planned for Jan. 24 and Feb. 24, and SJMA will, once again, be leading the interpretive snowshoe hikes.
As we wrapped up our Christmas trees for the Conservation fundraiser, our stewardship team shifted gears and started prepping for our Snow Ambassador season. Once again you will find the SJMA mobile base camp stationed at the Andrews Lake winter parking area. Colin Courtney serves as our Molas Snow Ambassador this season, and he is ready to answer your questions, share information on winter Leave-No-Trace ethics, and provide you with his knowledge of the area. He may even have some steamy hot chocolate to share. Be sure to drop in and say “hi” over the next few months.
We are also excited to announce we have expanded our Snow Ambassador program to Wolf Creek Pass. Olivia Maclean serves as our inaugural Wolf Creek Snow Ambassador. You might run into her at the Lobo trailhead if you’re skiing or sledding. A snowmobile enthusiast? Olivia will be stationed at the pass with the latest snow and avalanche conditions around the area, as well as important safety information and forest updates. Keep an eye out for her in the backcountry or at the trailheads this season.
Meanwhile, SJMA’s education team is leading experiential field trips with youths from all over the region. The education team guides young snow enthusiasts on snowshoe journeys around the Haviland Lake and other areas, spreading their knowledge of the habits of wildlife during the winter months and the importance of snow to life in our region.
When they are not out with the students, our education team and volunteer coordinator are immersed in planning for our upcoming Snow Science Socials at Andrews Lake. Starting Saturday, Jan. 13, SJMA, in partnership with Mountain Studies Institute, is bringing back our popular educational snow adventure. Starting from the Andrews lake base camp, join us for a fun half day learning about snowpack and wildlife winter habits in the San Juan Mountains. Then, stay and join us for some riveting conversations and warm beverages around the fire pit.
There is no down season at SJMA. Year round, there is an opportunity to share knowledge, ignite passion and instill respect for our public lands. We also believe winter is a time to reflect, renew and take the chance to take a breather, stop and listen to the silence of the snow.
Meg is the Stewardship Program Manager at San Juan Mountains Association and is looking forward to some winter adventures and a successful winter field season.
- Published in Stewardship
Caring for the Land: A Reciprocal Relationship
By Myste French
This morning, work begins where I made camp. I arrived after dark last night and didn’t notice the trash strewn about the campsite. I remove all litter from the area and burn trash from the fire ring, then distribute the ashes in the forest before moving on to my real work site for the day.
When I arrive at the Blue Lakes Trailhead, the parking lot is packed and the sun hasn’t risen yet. I open up the San Juan Mountains Association tent and set out maps and brochures. For the next two hours I’ll staff the tent, talking with hikers about their plans and how we can support them in Leaving No Trace. We discuss preparedness, trail etiquette, wildlife safety and fire regulations.
I am in my fifth month as a Forest Ambassador with SJMA. Eleven of us worked for the interpretive partner of the San Juan and Uncompahgre National Forests – this season. Together we covered 40 trails across six million acres of Public Lands, an area roughly the size of the state of New Hampshire.
Today 31 backpackers are planning to spend the night in the Blue Lakes Basin. I ask them about their plans for human waste management. So much surface defecation happens at this site that E. coli bacteria is starting to infect the water. I distribute PACT Lite cat-hole kits, and Waste And Gelling bags to mitigate overnight waste impacts.
After the traffic in the parking lot slows, I hike the trail, making frequent stops. There are hunters with questions about game sightings and the trail needs attention. This is my seventh weekend at Blue Lakes this season. Each time I walk the trail I note the work our team has done: fallen logs cut and hauled off the trail, fresh trail drains installed, and new vegetation growing where a social trail was closed only two months ago.
I’ve conversed with 161 hikers in the time it takes to reach Lower Blue Lake, tipping the total number of Forest Ambassadors’ engagements with recreationists at Blue Lakes over 6,000 and more than 26,000 people throughout our service area for the summer. Enjoying a moment of solitude and appreciating the cerulean beauty of the lake, I head into the nearby camping area where 13 campsites and two illicit fire rings must be cleaned up and naturalized.
Back on the trail, a conversation begins with a group of hikers. I tell them of the impacts we are seeing from social media. A few weeks ago we dismantled an abandoned campsite which contained only photo-shoot props. I share with the group my favorite message: we need to take Leave No Trace ethics one step further as we consider our online footprint and attempt to Leave No Digital Trace.
Looking up, I realize that other hikers have stopped to listen. I count, and there are 18 of us gathered. We have a discussion about wilderness regulations (groups must be fewer than 15 people) and then split into smaller groups to reduce our impact before heading back down the trail.
Walking through the silent wilderness, I contemplate those who’ve walked before me, both literally and metaphorically. The original Stewards of these Lands were the ancestral Ute and Pueblo peoples. The Ute people consider the trails to be an integral part of their Creation Story. Not only the land, but the trails themselves are sacred – as is the work of caring for the land. In my time as a Forest Ambassador I have learned that being a Steward of the Land is a reciprocal relationship. When we take care of the land, the land most certainly takes care of us.
Myste French, MSW, is nearing the end of her first season as a Forest Ambassador with SJMA, she resides in Silverton and in addition to time spent outdoors, Myste is also an Artist Member of the Silverton Powerhouse Collective and the Market Manager for Silverton Farmer’s Market.
- Published in Stewardship