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On the Trail Columns

On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Monument Hiking Group planning session

By Steve Pate

Above: Monument Hiking Group planning session led by Lisa Loeber. Photo by Steve Pate.

The Monument Hiking Group (MHG), led by Lisa Loeber, held a planning session at the Monument Barn Community Center on March 30. The group of about 25 local hikers met to discuss options for planning some long hikes as well as close-in treks in our local area.

For example, a local hike is now scheduled for April 8 at 8:30 a.m. The group will meet at the “Windsock” parking lot off of Red Rock Ranch Road located just north of where Mount Herman Road meets the gate leading up to Mount Herman. The plan is to carpool up to the 716 Trailhead on the west side of Mount Herman, hike to the Limbaugh Overlook, and return by way of Raspberry Mountain/Mount Herman to the 716 Trailhead. It will be about a 4-mile round trip with about 1,200 feet of elevation gain and should take about three hours. This time of year, participants should bring micro spikes and be prepared for weather conditions.

The group will plan extended hikes later this year which could include 14ers (14,000-foot mountains) of which Colorado has 58. Several of the experienced hikers in this group, including Randy Phillips, have summited all 58 14ers. The group may also conduct training sessions on how to use devices such as InReach, a satellite-connected safety device or others such as Zoleo.

While you may choose to hike our local trails, it’s best to plan off-trail adventures and bushwhacking to see hidden local points of interest with someone who knows the terrain and location of places like old mines, cabins, etc., such as Kerry Paige, a.k.a. “Saxsquatch” (a local saxophone player who knows our local mountains.

Others discussed planning hikes that require more endurance and could involve overnight stays. If you are interested in participating in either regular local hikes or those requiring overnight or longer travel, follow the Monument Hiking Group on Facebook. You could also seek advice from Al Andersen, who helped set up this meeting and has led many hikes over the years.

Steve Pate may be contacted at stevepate@ocn.me.

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On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Monument Hiking Group to Ice Cave Cliffs and Cap Rock

By Steve Pate

Lisa Loeber organized members of the Monument Hiking Group (MHG) to make a hike to Ice Cave Cliffs on Jan. 16 along the Ice Cave Creek trail connecting with the Swank Trail north to a ridge that connects with the Ice Cave Cliffs trail before the “polar vortex” extreme cold snap. Three of the group hiked to the Ice Cave Cliffs and climbed Cap Rock. Included here are some photos taken by Randy Phillips, an experienced local hiker, which give a sense of the beautiful scenery in our Tri-Lakes area.

Eight hardy souls made the trek, a bit over seven miles round trip with an elevation gain of about 8,000 feet. The photos show MHG members at various segments of the hike showing the terrain along Ice Cave Creek, a section of the Swank Trail, and some views from atop Ice Cave Cliffs and Cap Rock.

Steve Pate may be contacted at StevePate@OCN.me.

Above: Brian Caldwell leads the way and Kerry Paige brings up the rear ascending Ice Cave Creek Trail. All photos by Randy Phillips.
Above: A rest stop on the Ice Cave Creek Trail. Front to back, Terri Walters, Ned Kraushaar, Wendi Renee, Brian Caldwell, and Kerry Paige.
Above: Ned Kraushaar leads with Kerry Paige bringing up the rear on Swank Trail.
Above: Mount Herman from Cap Rock.
Above: The final climb to Cap Rock. Photo by Randy Phillips.

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On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Enjoy being outdoors, but be prepared

By Steve Pate

On a hike up the Palmer Lake Reservoir trail Oct. 22, I took one of my favorite loops, the Ice Cave Creek trail to connect with the Swank trail and then back by the upper reservoir. I found only a few patches of color left, but the pine, fir, and spruce forest was still beautiful.

I encourage those who are able to explore our wonderful outdoor opportunities in the Tri-Lakes area—mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding—but please be prepared from now through April for challenging conditions.

While it was 70 degrees on my hike, the abnormally warm temperatures may cause one to forget to include important items in your pack, especially if you go off the grid in remote areas. Include plenty of water, warm clothing (hat, gloves, and extra clothing), first aid kit, micro-spikes for icy conditions, snacks, and a satellite communication device if you expect to be in remote areas where cell phones do not work.

Being prepared allows you to truly enjoy your surroundings, disconnect from daily hassles, and become part of a natural environment.

I am nearing the end of my ability to hike in difficult conditions and will probably turn this column over to a younger outdoors person. I do intend to continue volunteering with Our Community News and will do what I can to occasionally contribute. One thing that I intend to continue to follow is the investigation of Tim Watkins’s murder. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has renewed efforts to solve this awful crime from September 2017. Again, as we suggested in OCN last month, if you have any information that might help with the investigation, please contact Jennifer Bucholtz, criminal investigator with the Sheriff’s Office, at 719-520-7227.

Above: Upper Palmer Lake Reservoir, Oct. 22. Photo by Steve Pate.

Steve Pate may be contacted at stevepate@ocn.me.

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On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Prescribed burn promotes forest health

By Steve Pate

Above: Wildland firefighters gear up for the test fire. Photo by Steve Pate.

The Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands (PSICC) Pikes Peak Ranger District, with support from local fire, police, and emergency responders, began a three-day process of prescribed burns in the Monument Preserve on June 12.

Above: Test fire before the prescribed burn Photo by Steve Pate.

A “test fire” was lit just north of Mount Herman Road. A test fire is a small fire that firefighters light to evaluate fire behavior before igniting prescribed fires. The conditions were deemed ideal and prescribed burns were conducted in three areas of the Monument Fire Center in the Monument Preserve: Memorial Grove, Monument Rock, and the Mount Herman Trailhead. The prescribed fires treated about 1,000 acres of forest lands with low-intensity fire to limit the impact of smoke to the community.

Above: View of the prescribed burn from Woodmoor. Photo by Dawn Lervik.

The prescribed fire, a low-to-moderate-intensity burn, reduced available fuels and the risk of catastrophic fire in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) when fire suppression efforts would be less likely to succeed. Additional objectives of this prescribed fire were to reduce the amount of Gambel oak brush and promote the growth of ponderosa pine forest.

Above: View from Jackson Creek. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.

During a press briefing before the test fire, Dawn Sanchez, fire prevention technician with the PSICC, said 149 wildland firefighters were also being briefed on procedures for the upcoming test fire and prescribed burns. Sanchez explained how the low-intensity fires would stunt the regrowth of scrub oak in areas where the Forest Service conducted wildfire mitigation last year.

Above: Results near Monument Rock. Photo by Steve Pate

While some may become upset with smoke and the immediate after-effects of prescribed burns, Randy Phillips of the local hiking community who has lived adjacent to Pike National Forest for nearly four decades said the Berry Fire that roared through this area below and up Mount Herman, leaving only scrub oak in place of what was a thick and deep forest, is a major reason the Forest Service has masticated the area and are now prescribing a burn. “I get nervous … however, that nervousness pales to experiencing April 21, 1989, and the days that followed. It’s important to keep things in perspective,” Phillips said.

Above: The burn reduced surface fuel loads by reducing pine needles, leaves, and small branches, decreasing the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Photo by Chris Jeub.

As was the case last year when PSICC did wildfire mitigation over a wide area in Monument Preserve, the hiking and biking trails in the area appeared “ruined,” but this year were nearly recovered with new growth. The same will be true of the prescribed burns—ugly for a few weeks or months but healthier as the areas recover and again a pleasure to hike or ride in.

Right: Wildland firefighters protected a Ute “prayer tree” in the Monument Preserve. Photo by Steve Pate.

Steve Pate may be reached at StevePate@OCN.me

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On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) –  Palmer Lake bridge dedication ceremony

By Steve Pate

As reported in the May issue of OCN, the Palmer Lake Parks and Trails Commission (PLP&T) partnered with U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) senior cadet engineering students to design and build a bridge across Monument Creek into the Elephant Rock property trail system. On May 6, that bridge was officially dedicated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Reid Wiecks, PLP&T chair, thanked the cadets and their professor, Dr. Brad Wambeke, who, after a U.S. Army career, taught at West Point and now the USAFA for their work to design and build the bridge. Wambeke said that normally a senior capstone engineering project would just involve the design and engineering work on paper. This project gave the cadets the experience of implementing their design.

Palmer Lake Mayor Glant Havenar also made remarks, thanking the USAFA cadets and Wambeke, then she and a cadet cut the ribbon to officially open the bridge.

Kevin Magner, a key PLP&T commissioner, said that volunteers would partner with the Mile High Youth Corps to develop the new loop trail through the Elephant Rock property in June.

Steve Pate can be contacted at stevepate@ocn.me

Above: Gene Kalesti, lead volunteer, Dr. Brad Wambeke, and senior USAFA cadets. Photo by Steve Pate

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On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Cadets build bridge over Monument Creek

By Steve Pate

A crew of senior cadet engineering students from the U.S Air Force Academy (USAFA) have been working during their 2023-24 final year at the academy to design and build a bridge across Monument Creek to connect a newly improved section of the Creekside Trail to the Elephant Rock property area (not the Elephant Rock near Ben Lomand).

During their final semester, the cadets made multiple trips to the site for measurements and design and prepared proposals to the Palmer Lake Parks and Trails commission (PLP&T) who selected the proposal they believed would best meet the needs of the community and satisfy Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department.

The bridge links a trail from the Palmer Lake Glen area to and through the Elephant Rock property west of Highway 105 to allow residents and visitors to hike and bike from Palmer Lake through the scenic area.

The senior cadets, led by retired U.S. Army Col. Dr. Brad Wambeke, professor of Engineering at the USAFA, designed the bridge using logs from the Upper Palmer Lake Reservoir left from wildfire mitigation work by the USFS last year. The logs were hauled from the upper reservoir by the Palmer Lake Fire Department and milled, pre-drilled and coated at the USAFA before being used at the construction site.

Only the cost of materials, about $15,000 of a $17,000 budgeted by the PLP&T, was paid for from funds generated by the parking kiosk at the Reservoirs Trailhead. All the design and construction work was done as a learning experience for the senior cadets as their capstone project before graduation and moving on to their initial assignments in the U.S. Air Force.

The project involved a great deal of coordination between volunteers on the PLP&T, including Project Lead Gene Kalesti, Commissioners Kevin Magner and Reid Wiecks and Professor Wambeke.

A cadet team returned to the construction site April 19 to put finishing touches on their work. A dedication ceremony will be held on May 6 at 10 a.m.

The USAFA will build two additional bridges along the trail system to improve access by bikes as well as hikers as an educational project for senior cadet engineering students over the coming year or two.

Steve Pate can be contacted at stevepate@ocn.me.

Above: Cadets building bridge, April 13. Photo by Steve Pate.
Above: Cadet team finishing bridge work, April 19. Photo by Steve Pate.

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On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Mount Herman “Leap”

By Steve Pate

Occasionally I saw the term, “grid day,” mentioned by Randy Phillips on social media. I was not sure what this meant until I learned that Phillips intended to summit Mount Herman on Feb. 29 to complete his grid—summitting Mount Herman on every calendar day of the year. This meant that he had the chance to complete his “grid” only every four years when a Leap Year rolled around.

Hiking up Mount Herman on February 29, 2024.
Above: Group photo on Broken Ankle Trail to Mount Herman. Photo by Randy Phillips. 

So, on Thursday, Feb. 29 (Leap Day), Phillips and 24 supporters ascended Mount Herman via the Broken Ankle Trail and celebrated Phillips’s completion of his goal on all 366 calendar days.

Steve Pate can be contacted at stevepate@ocn.me

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On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Palmer Lake Reservoir hike

By Steve Pate

On a hike up Palmer Lake Reservoir Road to the upper Palmer Lake Reservoir on Feb. 20, the trail conditions were snow/slush with some ice and still over a foot of snow off-trail. I did not use micro spikes but always carry them on hikes this time of year, along with winter-preparedness gear such as a warm coat and hat, water, snacks, fire starter, gloves, mylar blanket, etc. I did not need any of these items, although downhill is more treacherous without spikes.

Above: Snow-covered Upper Palmer Lake Reservoir.

Despite the beautiful weather, I encountered only one other human on the two-hour jaunt. The Reservoir Road was well-used, as was the trailhead to the Ice Cave Creek trail just west of the lower reservoir and Balanced Rock just beyond the upper reservoir.

Above: Snow-covered boulder field north of the lower reservoir.

On the west side of the upper reservoir, the piles of logs generated by last year’s wildfire mitigation are still intact. A few of these logs have been used to create a new bridge over Monument Creek near the Glen in Palmer Lake. Palmer Lake Fire Chief John Vincent said about a year ago that no plans had been agreed upon by the Board of Trustees to dispose of the logs, and he speculated they might be burned. Another possible solution would be to haul them out and let local people saw cordwood for use in fireplaces or stoves. No private vehicles are allowed on the Reservoir Road—perhaps an exception for a one-time cleanup would be in order in this case.

Above: Log piles west of the Upper Palmer Lake Reservoir.

I saw only one area where someone had been ice fishing. Keep in mind, if you ice fish, the ice should be at least 4 inches thick to support humans walking on the ice. When the ice is snow-covered, fishing can become a slushy challenge.

Steve Pate may be contacted at stevepate@ocn.me.

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On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Black Forest Trails Association

By Marlene Brown

The Black Forest Trails Association (BFTA), a local nonprofit organization, originally became a business entity to create a connection with local residents and the El Paso County Parks staff. BFTA was created in 1995. It worked with the community and board members who had a real interest in the non-motorized multi-use recreational trail system in the Black Forest area, neighborhoods, and the El Paso County Regional Trails System.

So many things have changed in the last 30 years. BFTA had helped implement trails and roads in Black Forest and then the fire came. Ten years ago, many trees and structures burned. Many of the marked trails disappeared. People moved away and new people moved in. Renewing the spirit of Black Forest and some of the goals has been the path of the new 2023 board. Jack Yonce, newly elected president of BFTA, has experience with creating databases and as a member of the county Park Advisory Board. He has worked with the membership of BFTA creating trails that connect the community. There are many ways to assist with hands-on trail stewardship by creating, building, and maintaining trails.

This year and beyond is a special time for BFTA leaders. Finding new energy and projects after a difficult decade since the fire in 2013, there is a need to rejuvenate the Grassroots Neighborhood efforts to establish local trails and work with the newest county Parks Master Plan of 2022 and the county overall Master Plan from 2021. See the map for trail systems and proposed trails in your area. There are many opportunities to connect neighborhoods. See www.blackforesttrails.org for more information. The trails map is posted at www.ocn.me/pdf/v23n12bftamap0815.pdf,

Above: Several parks in the El Paso County Parks and Trails system are connected through efforts of the Black Forest Trails Association. Map provided by Cheryl Pixley. This trails map can be downloaded at www.ocn.me/pdf/v23n12bftamap0815.pd

Marlene Brown can be reached at marlenebrown@ocn.me.

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Mount Herman fire averted

By Steve Pate

Smokey the Bear says, “Only you can prevent forest fires.” In this case, Steve Galchutt and a crew from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) prevented what could have been a major disaster on Mount Herman on Oct. 22. Galchutt’s hike up Mount Herman that day turned into a wildfire prevention event. After reaching the summit, Galchutt sat on his usual log to have lunch. While eating his sandwich and enjoying the view, he smelled smoke. The smoke led him to a smoldering illegal campfire that had been fanned back to life by gusty winds. He pulled out a flaming log and broke it up and poured the remainder of his drinking water on the fire. This campfire was still very much alive and needed to be doused with much more water.

Above: While hiking on Mount Herman Oct. 22, Steve Galchutt of Monument, found a smoldering campfire pit and called 911 which forwarded his information to the U.S. Forest Service. Two firefighters from Wildland Fire Module Unit 9 extinguished the campfire by pouring several gallons of water on it. Photo by Steve Galchutt.

Galchutt called 911, the appropriate emergency action when fire is spotted in our forests. The 911 operator put him in touch with USFS, which sent a crew up Mount Herman. Galchutt’s location coordinates did not get passed on to the Hot Shot crew. They called him from the trailhead and again near the summit to confirm his location. He was not visible and told them to listen for him playing When the Saints Go Marching In on his harmonica. Following that sound, the “Saints” came marching in with water and doused the remains of the fire.

Above: Pictured from the left to right are Nick Boling, Galchutt, and Aidan Kuelling. Photo by Bailey White.

Steve Pate may be contacted at StevePate@ocn.me.

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Letters to Our Community – Protesting no parking signs at Pike National Forest

I live in unincorporated Monument and have been walking daily in the Pike National Forest, which is administrated by the U.S. Forest Service. The entrance to this is on Sunburst Drive. Due to my health issues (and that of many other disabled and veterans that use these paths), I have driven to the entrance and parked out front, off the road as did most of the people. Users (and there were hundreds) walked, biked and some had their dogs “walk” them. Anyway, some nut job just ordered No Parking signs installed in front, with a statement that violators would be towed. There is plenty of room between the paved road and the fenced park. That area is primarily gravel, but there is some grass, which is mowed.

This is a small area, maybe 10 acres. The no parking is in front now but not on the other three sides. When I questioned the logic of this, I received 6,600 views on Nextdoor, the local online posting site. I have been told that a hot car might ignite the dry grass. Problem is that these trails are over 50 years old, and there has never been a fire. Worse, now we park around the corner, where there is tall, dry grass—I agree that is a problem. I don’t know what the No Parking signs costs, but the solution, supposedly, is to put down gravel. For the area I am speaking of, this can’t be more than a few hundred dollars. Shouldn’t common sense prevail?

Kent Jarnig

100% VA disabled

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On the Trail (in Memory of Tim Watkins) – Investigation of Tim Watkins’ murder revitalized

By Steve Pate

Seven years after Tim Watkins was killed, the investigation into his murder has been reinvigorated. There’s a new detective on the case who’s been reinterviewing friends of Watkins in the past month.

As OCN has previously reported (see the October 2022 issue at https://ocn.me/v22n10.htm#photos), Watkins was murdered while riding in one of his favorite areas near Mount Herman and Limbaugh Canyon. He was shot and killed, his body moved off -trail and partially buried. He was found Sept. 17, 2017, by volunteers searching for him.

Often a community has information that might be of value to criminal investigators. If you have information about Watkins or his murder, please contact Jennifer Bucholtz, criminal investigator with El Paso County Sheriff ’s Office at 719-520-7227.

About 50 people participated in the dedication of a plaque at the Watkins memorial next to the Palmer Lake Library on Sept. 14. Vickey Meeker, who helped organize the event, said this will become an annual celebration of Watkins’s life, whether or not his killer is found. Meeker is one of those who’s been interviewed by the investigator recently. After presentations by Meeker and her son, Rob Meeker, who rode with Watkins, many of the group biked from the ceremony in Palmer Lake down the Santa Fe Trail to Trails End Tap Room and Eatery in Monument to continue sharing memories and good times with Watkins.

The Palmer Lake Star was lit on the evening of Sept. 14 to honor Watkins’s memory.

Above: Vickey Meeker remembering Tim Watkins. Photo by Steve Pate.
Above: The Palmer Lake Star was lit Sept. 14 in memory of Tim Watkins. Photo by Vickey Meeker.

Steve Pate may be contacted at stevepate@ocn.me.

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On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Mount Herman Road closure update

By Steve Pate

We mentioned in the June issue of OCN that Mount Herman Road (MHR) had been closed by the U.S. Forest Service. Someone opened the gate and drove up toward the FS 716 trailhead and into a washed-out section of the road. The car has been removed and the Forest Service was scheduled to begin repairing the road June 21.

A masticator begins wildfire mitigation off Mount Herman Road, June 20.
Photo by Steve Pate

During a walk up MHR toward FS 716 on June 20, I was able to talk to the superintendent of the wildfire mitigation crew just starting work to reduce the fire risk on the west and north side of MHR. They will be reducing the fuel load by taking out Gambel oak and other “ladder” vegetation.

Rockslide on Mount Herman Road 2¼ miles from gate. Photo by Steve Pate

I had heard that a rockslide closed the road and came upon it about 2¼ miles up MHR from the closed gate. The storm-caused washout is about 2¾ miles from the gate, just below FS 716 trailhead.

Washout on Mount Herman Road 2¾ miles from gate, just below FS 716 trailhead.
Photo by Steve Pate

A natural gas line was also damaged during recent storms, and I talked with a gas company employee en route to work on repairs. The crew was unable to access the damaged lines due to the rockslide, which occurred in mid-June.

Several mountain bikers and hikers were using MHR on June 20. Sections of MHR may close temporarily while wildfire mitigation is underway and when road repairs begin.

Steve Pate may be contacted at stevepate@ocn.me.

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On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Storms damage trails and roads, fill reservoirs

By Steve Pate

With the recent torrential rains, many local trails have been damaged. After being closed briefly for storm damage repairs, the Palmer Lake reservoir road was reopened and is passable for hikers and mountain bikers. Both Palmer Lake reservoirs are full.

On a hike around the Ice Cave Creek Trail (ICCT) loop on May 26, I found the ICCT in great shape. Ice Cave Creek is running strong, and one might get their feet wet hiking the two crossings on ICCT and Swank trails. Rains have caused erosion on Swank trail, especially just south of Ice Cave Creek with water running down the eroded center of the trail.

Above: Ice Cave Creek crossing Swank Trail.
Above: Upper Palmer Lake reservoir.

Road damage has restricted access to Mount Herman via Mount Herman Road. According to reliable reports, most of the trails around Mount Herman, Raspberry, and Limbaugh Canyon are passable for hikers and bikers, but please do not attempt to drive up Mount Herman Road to the trailhead, FS 716. The U.S Forest Service closed the road to vehicles. Those who hike regularly in the area know that someone opened the gate and drove their 4 Runner up Mount Herman Road into a washed-out ditch.

Photos by Steve Pate taken May 26

Above: Mount Herman Road closure.
Above: Lower Palmer Lake reservoir.

With spring rains, the area’s trails are beautiful and greening up. Even the “devastated” wildfire mitigation areas are showing signs of renewal.

Steve Pate can be contacted at stevepate@ocn.me.

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On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Wildfire mitigation in Monument Preserve

By Steve Pate

Anyone who has hiked or biked in Monument Preserve, around the Rock, on either side of Mount Herman Road will be shocked to see the results of the United States Forest Service’s (USFS) efforts to reduce the risk of wildfires in the preserve.

According to Friends of Monument Preserve (FOMP), “Most of you know that the USFS continues its three-year fire mitigation project in the 1,000 acres of open space surrounding the Monument Fire Center. According to the Fuels Management Office of the Pikes Peak Ranger District, this area was designated as extremely high risk for high-intensity, potentially catastrophic wildfires. Thus, USFS concentrated its money and efforts here to protect the wildland-urban interface and surrounding communities.”

Above: Wildfire mitigation area north of Mount Herman Road, March 6. Photo by Steve Pate.

To repair damage to trails in the preserve, FOMP will begin its regular trail work volunteer nights starting the second Tuesday in April through the second Tuesday in October. Additional workdays will be scheduled to repair significant damage caused by heavy equipment used to remove Gambel oak and other fuel vegetation. Many trails have been damaged by the tires and tracks of this heavy machinery.

To participate in FOMP trail nights, you may simply show up or check the FOMP website, fomp.org, for more details and schedules. These work nights will be from 5 to 7 p.m. in April through October and 6 to 8 p.m. May through September. Meet in the parking lot at the intersection of Mount Herman and Nursery Roads, the Mount Herman trail trailhead.

While the original plan was to leave “islands” of ponderosa pines, small pines, and larger oaks, many areas have been razed while other areas are partially cleared or not touched at all. While this appears to be indiscriminate elimination of vegetation, it will eventually grow back. In the meantime, be cautious while hiking or biking in the preserve and be alert for debris.

Steve Pate can be contacted at stevepate@ocn.me.

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