Category Archives: Trails

Gazette Article – Pike forest could be ground zero for new drilling

Today the Gazette published an article regarding oil and gas drilling in the Monument area. FOMP has been aware of this effort for nearly 5 years and has been opposed to Oil and Gas drilling on Mt. Herman since we first heard about it. Frankly, I was surprised to find that there were only 17 comments (for or against) filed during the initial comment period 4 years ago; however, I expect that to change now that we are actually about to have live drilling rigs in Monument full time. People from Manitou to Cheyenne (yes, Boulder too) are going to realize that oil and gas companies are serious about drilling all up and down the Front Range. If Dyad discovers natural gas in Monument, the battle of the Roan plateau will look like a friendly intellectual dinner table discussion.

Stay tuned.

Gazette Article – Pike forest could be ground zero for new drilling

As a partner organization with the USFS FOMP will be reviewing the EA when it becomes available in the near future and submitting comments as an organization. We encourage you to get involved and review the EA as well and make comments as individuals.

Note: I have already received several questions regarding why FOMP is opposed to this effort and I will articulate those reasons here shortly. — Thanks — Chris / FOMP Board

FOMP Upcoming Schule – changes and cancellations!

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Canceled:

1. June 23 Mt. Herman Rd. Cleanup day is canceled. We will discuss
rescheduling this for the fall if we can generate enough interest.
There are just too many conflicts and too few people around during
the summer.

Ongoing:

1. Wed June 20, 7:00PM — Monthly Board Meeting is held in the
classroom at the work center. Everyone is invited to join us..
2. Trail Crew. Trail season is in full swing. Due to the difficult
conditions on the trail we are holding weekly work sessions in
addition to the monthly work session. These are Tuesday nights at
6pm, meet at the trail head on the corner of Mt. Herman and
Schilling. FOMP ad FS provide all the tools. Bring water, gloves,
and dress appropriately for the weather. We work in rain unless
there is lightning. If you have any questions, please send them to
info@fomp.org.

Summer 2007

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The summer 2007 FOMP calendar is almost set. Trail days, as always, will be the second Tuesday of each month, 6pm, meet at the trail head on Mt. Herman Rd. We will also be hosting several other events: Dinner with the Hotshot and Helitac crews (May), Mt. Herman Rd clean up day (May), Tree Planting, and the annual Memorial Grove ceremony(May). Please check the calendar for details as we finalize dates. And please contact us at info@fomp.org if you wish to participate in any of the events and need more info.

Forest Revision Plan

The PSI is initiating a forest management plan revision process and is considering a variety of topics, including recreation. New policies created in the forest plan revision process will be in place for 15-20 years, making your input extremely important. Additional public collaboration opportunities will arise in the next year or two, but your comments now will lay the groundwork for the rest of this important process.

All forest users are invited to give their input. You need to speak up now an make your voice heard.

Comment cards are available online and take only a few minutes to complete.

Please mail, fax or hand deliver your comment card to any ranger district office on the PSI before March 30, 2007. For a list of locations and contact information, click here.

The PSI is requesting specific feedback on three primary questions:

1. The What: Considering what you know of the Pike and San Isabel National Forests (that may be related to places, resources, or topics of interest), a) what about the Forests do you think is working well and requires no change, and b) what about the Forests do you think should change?

2. The Why: Why should these remain the same or why should they be considered for future change?

3. The Where: Where are places that exemplify the issues raised in 1 and 2?

Thanks to USFS for the basic info at out last meeting and IMBA for some of the more specific wording which I have borrowed here.

Successful Trail Crew Weekend!

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The weekend of 9/30 – 10/1 FOMP held two trail work sessions.

On Saturday September 30 the all volunteer crew worked on perhaps everyones favorite trail – Mad Hatter/Rolly Polly/Twister. The crew worked to remove some old Gambel Oak roots that were a danger to hikers, runners, equestians, and bikers. The roots were sticking straight up where brush had been trimmed back last winter. The crew then proceeded to perform some sorely needed repairs on the trail where water had eroded the trail. Part of the historic flume trail was re-opened diverting traffic around a dry creek bed. This allowed the crew to restore the correct flow of water into the old flume and hopefully prevent further damage to this fantastic trail.

On Sunday the crew worked on the creek crossing from the spring to the pond. An ad-hoc bridge was causing water to flow down the trail and away from the pond. The crew removed the ad-hoc bridge and built a sustainable check damn/water bar that allows water to freely flow into the pond rather than down the trail. Several other rolling grade dip style water bars were then installed East of the pond to limit damage to the trail.

Special Thanks to al the volunteers, we can’t do it without you!

Saturday 30-Sept

Kim Nordby
Heidi McClure
Jerry Woerdeman
Nancy SpeilKamp
Herman SpeilKamp
Dan Cuvala
Dennis Manning
Chris Tirpak
Jon Nordby
Mike Temple

Sunday 1-Oct

Kim Nordby
Jon Nordby
Chris Tirpak
Drew Wacker
Luke LaBella
Kevin LaBella
Julie Lawton

Trail Work Tonight!

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This is a reminder that Friends of Monument Preserve will hold its monthly trail work tonight Tuesday 09/12/2006 at 6:00 PM. If you run late and we have departed the parking lot we will leave a note on the sign and I will carry my cell phone (number below) – just give me a call and I’ll let you know where we are.

We will work rain or shine unless there is lightning in the sky! The recent rain has left us with plenty of work to do before fall sets in!

We are also going to hold 2 additional work sessions this fall. The schedule is as follows:

Saturday September 30, 9:00 – 12:00

Sunday October 1, 1:00 – 4:00

We meet at the trail head parking lot, corner of Mt. Herman and Schilling/Nursery Rd. FOMP and USFS supply all necessary tools. You should bring water and work gloves (and maybe a rain jacket).

Work sessions generally last about 2 hours but you are welcome to stay for however long you are able. If you need directions or have any questions please contact us via email or you can call me directly. (info is under contacts)

Thanks, Chris

Reminder: FOMP Trail Work Night!

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This is a reminder that Friends of Monument Preserve will hold its monthly trail work tomorrow night Tuesday 08/08/2006 at 6:00 PM. If you run late and we have departed the parking lot I will carry my cell phone (please see number under contacts) – just give me a call and I’ll let you know where we are.

We will work rain or shine unless there is lightning in the sky! The recent rain has left us with plenty of work to do before fall sets in!

We meet at the trail head parking lot, corner of Mt. Herman and Schilling/Nursery Rd. FOMP and USFS supply all necessary tools. You should bring water and work gloves (and maybe a rain jacket). Work sessions generally last about 2 hours but you are welcome to stay for however long you are able.

If you need directions or have any questions please contact us via email or you can call me directly. (info is under contacts)

Thanks, Chris