SAVING A FOREST GEM

Saving a forest gem
Glade Guard Station renovated in Dolores County
June 29, 2008By Karen Boush | Herald Staff Writer
Call it Extreme Makeover: Boondocks Edition.

Last week, renovation began on the historic Glade Guard Station, located more than 20 miles from the nearest paved road in Dolores County.

Volunteers came from around the United States to help the San Juan National Forest restore the main structure on the site - a circa 1916 residence - to its original condition.

Faced with a long to-do list and only five days to do it, they rose to the challenge.

They scraped, sanded and primed the exterior then painted it its original bright white color. They tore off the deteriorating cedar-shingle roof and put on a new one. They replaced an exterior side door and its frame, as well as the porch railing and balusters. They installed a flagpole donated from the Mancos chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and made repairs to the chimney and sandstone foundation.

If that weren't enough, they improved the site drainage and removed the windows so they could be professionally restored.

"Those guys are the hardest-working guys you'd ever meet," said Julie Coleman, heritage team leader for the San Juan Public Lands.

A smokin' crew

"Those guys" are 14 retired smokejumpers from the National Smokejumper Association, which through its trail-maintenance program, restores historic structures on Forest Service land across the country.

Averaging 68 years old, the smokejumpers paid their own way to get to the guard station, where they camped, ate catered fare and enjoyed the chance to look back on their shared experiences as smokejumpers.

"It's a rare opportunity for guys our age to come back together and relive our youth," said Bill Ruskin, a Colorado Springs resident who oversees the program.

Also dedicated to the task at hand were Coleman and her husband, David Singer, with Silverton Restoration Consulting; Elaine Sherman, archaeologist for the Dolores Public Lands Office; Lloyd McNeil, a crew foreman for the Forest Service as well as a founding member of the Jersey Jim Foundation; and Russel Heaton, a rail ranger with the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Together, they got the job done, with time left over for a flag-raising ceremony and barbecue Friday afternoon.

"Without proper maintenance, everything just deteriorates. The paint goes away, animals chew on things, the porch railing rots out," said Rich Hilderbrand, the smokejumpers' squad leader from Colorado Springs.

"(The house) is being restored to look very much like it did 50 years ago."

One hundred years of service

At an elevation of about 8,300 feet, the guard station is located about 10 miles north of McPhee Reservoir, on a remote hillside overlooking a large open area known as The Glade.

As one of the oldest U.S. Forest Service administrative sites in Colorado, it has a well-documented history.

The guard station was first established in 1906, when a log cabin, long since decayed and removed, was built as shelter for the "guardian" assigned to watch over the Glade District of the Montezuma National Forest, now part of the Dolores Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest.

In 1916, both the 600-square-foot house and a barn were constructed to serve as the ranger's seasonal headquarters.

In the mid-1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps set up a camp next to the guard station and built a woodshed, garage and outhouse, all of which still stand today.

The Forest Service used the station well into the 1970s, primarily for storage, but dwindling budgets and a lack of need for the facility resulted in its being left largely unintended.

Neglected but not forgotten, the station remained under the watchful eye of McNeil, who checked on the station whenever his work took him into "the boondocks." He said he continued to pester district officials about the station.

"I've kept fanning the flames or blowing on the coals to get the fire going, because it's meant a lot to me, and I didn't want to see it disappear," he said.

In the nick of time

In 2001, the guard station was listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties, and efforts continue to have it added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Still, even a year ago, the historic guard station remained at risk of being lost to history.

The house was showing its age with a rapidly deteriorating roof, a crumbling sandstone foundation, an infestation of rodents and myriad other problems.

Yet, the San Juan National Forest lacked the funds and manpower to do anything about it.

Last summer, however, things started looking up for the station after archaeologist Sherman told Ruskins, with the National Smokejumper Association, about its dire situation.

When Ruskins jumped at the chance to provide free labor to help save the forest gem, Coleman started rounding up money.

She secured a $10,000 grant from the Bacon Family Foundation and a $1,000 grant from the Ballantine Family Fund, in addition to $16,000 from the San Juan Public Lands.

The money covered last week's renovation activities, including the construction materials, an historic structural assessment provided by Silverton Restoration Consulting, and catering services provided by Elevated Fine Foods of Silverton.

A new chapter

Coleman said the next major stage of the renovation, slated for next summer, will include painting the interior and reinstalling the windows. She expects the renovation to be fully complete by 2010.

The house will then be available to the public as a recreational rental, operating under permit by the Jersey Jim Foundation.

The nonprofit organization already manages the Jersey Jim lookout tower north of Mancos, and is being considered to oversee management of the lower Hermosa trailhead.

Although national television crews weren't on the scene to film their efforts, the volunteers can be proud of their work.

"I think (the station) really is a connection to the past," Coleman said. "We're giving it a new life and a new chapter."

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MINUTES FROM TRAIL MAINTENANCE ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING

NSA Trail Program Advisory Council Meeting
January 7, 2008, Missoula, Montana

At 0900 hours on January 7, 2008, Jon McBride called the meeting of the NSA Trail Program Advisory Council to order. In attendance were more than enough old NSA Members and Associates to meet or exceed any requirements for a Quorum. Jon reminded those present that this is our one required meeting for the year.

Duties of the Advisory Council: No comments or questions were generated on this topic.

Policies:
Number 5: NSA Membership Participation: Jon reiterated the policy that precludes family members from being on the same volunteer project. He has received criticism from several NSA members who want to have their wives/husbands participate in the same project. The only exception to this policy is if both husband and wife are/were jumpers and are NSA members. The last sentence in Policy Statement # 5 should be changed to read as follows:
No family members will be allowed on the same Project unless both were/are smokejumpers and are currently NSA members.

On one project in 2007, non-NSA personnel who had not signed up for a project showed up. Action was quickly taken and a larger problem was avoided. Squadleaders are charged with handling these types of situations in accord with existing Policy.

Number 6: This policy statement is changed to read as follows:
NSA Trail Maintenance Project personnel will abide by policies of the hosting Agency, i.e. Leave No Trace, Food Storage Requirements in Bear Country, First Aid and CPR certifications, etc. Squadleaders will make sure volunteers are advised of requirements and assure compliance.

Financial Health of the Program: Jon provided copies of transaction registers detailing the business activities of the NSA Trail Program for 2007. He also provided copies of bank statements for the year. The Program is financially healthy at this time.

Jon McBride and Bob Whaley initiated a discussion of the scholarship program expenditures and financial condition. For Leslie Ann Mackey, who is employed as a cosmetologist, we authorized $2000 for advanced training she needed in order to address needs of some cancer patients. This was paid for out of the NSA Trail Program budget because funds were available and there was little reason to go to the NSA treasurer to get the costs covered. Based on what we now know, we have adequate funding in the Scholarship Program to cover projected needs. There is $17,000 in the fund at this time.

Bob Whaley is engaged in discussions with Bobby Mackey and his mother regarding Bobby’s career field and associated training requirements. He appears interested in avionics at this time and he is being encouraged to look at a range of flight related career fields. At this point, he is the only additional person planning on going to college that meets our criteria for consideration under this Scholarship Program.

Payments from Hosting Agencies: Jon advised the group that he is having difficulties working with the current USFS payment system. He submitted bills for three projects where the amounts were exactly the same. He has been paid for one of the projects, but he is unable to determine which one. He requested help from Tim Aldrich to work thru this matter.

The grant funding from the American Hiking Society ($4000) to acquire tools and equipment needed for the Trail Program has been spent within the prescribed time frame. Among the speciality items acquired are eight additional approved Bear Proof Boxes. Jon worked with some of our volunteers, including Rod McIver and Chuck Fricke, to bolster the supply of other tools. Chuck was again able to get a significant donation of tools from the Fiscars Company.

Rod McIver is an expert in the use and care of tools and has a strong interest in becoming the “keeper of the Trail Program tools.” Rod has knowledge and skills in the use, maintenance and repair of the tools we use, and he has facilities wherein tools could be safely stored. A decision on this is imminent.

The National Smokejumper Association Leadership Initiative: The draft Initiative produced by Bill Ruskin was reviewed and discussed at some length. Each of the four individual parts was considered by itself and in the context of the whole package. Bill’s initiative, insights, knowledge and skills were recognized and praised by several members of the Council. The common concern expressed was the fact that the personnel involved in the Trail Program are already very busy and hesitant to take on additional significant responsibilities and duties. It was agreed that Bill would need to utilize resources outside of the NSA Trail Program to implement the Initiative. Jon McBride will draft a letter that will document the position of the Council. This draft will be sent to Council member for review and comments.

In conjunction with the discussion of the Initiative, Barry Hicks provided the group with a brief introduction to the planned National Smokejumper Center. The group working on this plan has moved ahead to create its own 501 (c-3) corporation. The facility is to be in West Yellowstone to take advantage of the huge tourist business there. That group will soon meet with personnel from the Gallatin National Forest in an effort to acquire the historic Hebgen Lake Ranger Station as the home for this program. A number of Bill Ruskins basic goals and objectives will be to provide part of the basis for structuring the program that is intended to inform and motivate youth. The group’s analysis leads them to believe that the Program will be self-supporting.

Review of 2007 Projects and Proposed Projects for 2008: The Trail Report for projects undertaken and completed in 2007 is in the mail as of today. There is nice coverage of the Mann Gulch Project completed during the rainiest period of 2007. (rain at camp and snow on top of the mountain where the project was done) Our interest in the protection and appropriate management of Mann Gulch continues. We will meet with the Ranger of the Helena Ranger District on the 16th of January to discuss the draft of a Historic Preservation Plan for Mann Gulch. This draft we will discuss was prepared by Jim Hagemeier with significant assistance from his son. Jon McBride and Tim Aldrich plan to participate in this meeting.

To the credit of the individuals involved, Projects in 2007 were completed without accident. The severe fire season added very significant challenges that were addressed in the professional manner we would expect of smokejumpers. The Trail Maintenance Special Report 2007 should be in your hands at this time. This great production includes lots of information on all the projects and offers statistics that speak to our interest, productivity, skills and senses of humor. Included with the Report is a signup sheet for the 2008 Trail Program. Based on discussions with various USFS units, there will be plenty of projects proposed for 2008. Jim Cherry is currently working to finalize a project proposal for work in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. This would be a first for us in this area and it would involve some new and different situations and challenges. The Council encourages folks to get their forms filled out and sent in so that more definitive plans can be made for all proposed projects.

The Council is encouraging squadleaders to engage in conversations with potential project hosts to develop specific project proposals. At the same time, they are also encouraged to begin recruiting volunteers for their projects. Some called this the establishment of an “unrestricted free agency” approach, but it was recommended that we not establish a super competitive system that might detract from the amazing commitments made by NSA members and Associate Members.

Paul Evenson made a very informative presentation on Back Country Horsemen (BCH), their history and their involvement in trail programs around the Country. Based on information he had obtained, the Forest Service puts a value $18.77 per hour for each volunteer on trail projects. (When I started smokejumping, I was getting $2.04 per hour and may not have deserved it.) With food prices going like they are, maybe we are not working too cheaply! The BCH affiliates have been supporting our projects for a number of years and are also doing many projects with their own resources. Whereas we require the use of the Volunteer Agreement as the instrument documenting our relationship with the Forest Service on Trail Projects, they are often using a Challenge Cost Share Agreement. We will have members involved in the discussions that the BCH is having with the Forest Service with regard to the types of agreements to be used in the future.

New Business: Jim Phillips moved that the Council assign a small group to develop a draft Business Plan for the Trail Program. It was seconded by Tim Aldrich. This plan would capture our current objectives, policies, methods, etc., and it would also address the changes in smokejumper population and a “marketing plan” that would focus on maintaining and sustaining the Trail Program. It would be much more than a “business” oriented document. The group briefly discussed Jim’s motion and gave approval for him to initiate the effort.

Jon McBride gave his irrevocable commitment to continue on as the leader of the Program through completion of the Report in the winter of 2009. (one more year!) This provided a sobering culmination to an otherwise very cheerful and constructive meeting. Jon, your commitment, leadership and energy have been crucial to sustaining and growing this program. We again offer our sincere thanks for the job well done.
Jon McBride, Trail Boss, NSA Trail Maintenance Program

Smokejumper's "bucket list" Includes Hiking the Bob to NSA Trail Maintenance Project

NSA Trail Volunteers Attack the Bob Marshall and CDT

Have you ever wanted to hike the Bob from north to south? Several NSA trail crew volunteers are planning a trip during the week prior to meeting up with a NSA trail crew in the southern Bob… and are looking for others to join them. If you have had this on your “bucket list” since jumping fires in the Bob, read on.

Mike Overby (MSO 67) and Jim Phillips (MSO 67) (maybe), are planning on a backpacking trip that begins on July 4th/5th where the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) travels through Marias Pass just east of East Glacier on Hwy 2. The trek ends on Sunday afternoon, July 13th when the balance of the Sarbo Creek NSA trail project crew arrives at camp hiking in from the south. The distance on the CDT is estimated at 150 miles. Estimated specs are:

· Marias Pass to Badger Pass; 34.3 mi/4,111’ elevation gain/moderate difficulty

· Badger Pass to Benchmark; 88.3 mi/7,861’ elevation gain/strenuous difficulty

· Benchmark to Grassy Hills (trail to Carmichael Cabin and Sarbo Creek on N. Fork of Blackfoot River); 27mi/moderate difficulty

. Grassy Hills (CDT- trail departure) to Sarbo Creek); 14 miles / moderate difficulty

· Total estimated distance = 164 mi

For those wanting to work the Sarbo Creek Project, there will be a total of 8 NSA crew members working from July 14 through July 19th. The project will end with a hike out on July 19th returning to Missoula by that night.

Other options to missing the great food, cold beer, comradeship (and some work) on the Sarbo Creek Trail Project would be to cut east past Benchmark to a number of trail heads that go to Augusta. Another option would be to continue traveling on the CDT for 38 miles to Rogers Pass on Hwy 200.
A light pack and plenty of mole skin are recommended. We especially welcome “slow runners” that can lead the team through Griz country.

For those interested, contact Mike Overby at 469-222-5559 or mike.overby@expresspersonnel.com.

NSA Membership Application

NATIONAL SMOKEJUMPER ASSOCIATION

www.smokejumpers.com

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

SMOKEJUMPERS:     All who have completed smokejumping training

PILOTS:                        Smokejumper pilots

ASSOCIATES:              All who support the NSA   

      

Last Name___________  First Name________________MI_______

Common Use of First Name (i.e. Buddy, Marge, Joe)_____________

Mailing Address:_________________________________________

City:___________________State:______________Zip:_________

Telephone:(___)__________Email:_________________________

Smokejumper Base & Rookie Year___________________________

Other bases  & Years Jumped_______________________________

For Pilots: Bases & Years Where a Pilot:_______________________

Associates: Current Job or Other Status:______________________

Membership Dues:

1 Year:  $30                                        2 Years:  $50

5 Years: $100                                   10 Years:  $180

                         Life Membership: $1000

Make Checks Payable to:  NATIONAL SMOKEJUMPER ASSOCIATION

MAIL TO:

NSA John R. McDaniel

P.O. Box 105

Falun,   KS  67442-0105

NOTE TO APPLICANTS:  Please copy the application from the blog and paste it to Word and print. Thank you

SIGN UP BEGINS FOR 2008 NSA TRAIL MAINTENANCE PROGRAM

Missoula, Montana
Jon McBride, NSA Trail Maintenance Program Coordinator, announced today that sign up sheets for the 2008 trails maintenance and related projects are included in the the 2007 Trail Maintenance Special Report which will arrive this week.
If you are a member of the NSA and interested in getting back in the woods with a group of fellow smokejumpers working on trail or restoration projects in the national forests, please complete the form by March 15 and mail to: NSA, Trail Maintenance, PO Box 4081, Missoula, MT 59806 Attn: Jon McBride.
For your convenience, and in the event you didn't receive a copy of the special report or signup sheet in the mail, a copy is included here.

Please copy and paste the information below into a Word document, fill out and mail to Jon McBride.

SIGN UP SHEET 2008
NATIONAL SMOKEJUMPER ASSOCIATION
TRAIL MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
If you are a member of the NSA and interested in getting back in a high country wilderness setting with a group of fellow smokejumpers working on USFS trail maintenance or restoration projects, please complete this form and mail by March 15th to: National Smokejumper Association, Trail Maintenance, P.O. Box 4081, Missoula MT 59806, Attn: Jon McBride.
“Pay is real bad, food is real good and the camaraderie and fun is outstanding.”
************************************************************************
Last Name______________________First Name_______________MI___

Street Address_________________________________________________

CITY_______________________ STATE_______ZIP________________

TELEPHONE__________________E-Mail_________________________

Year Trained______Base Trained____________Years Jumped________
Years participated in NSA TM projects _____ Number of projects_______

My AVAILABILITY in 2008
Anytime (for 1 week___, 2 weeks___) (Can arrange my schedule to fit assignment)
I will be available only during the following periods:
Idaho Fence Project ____ July 6-11, Montana/Idaho___ July 12-19 ___July 20-26,
Minnesota___ Sept TBA, Utah___ TBA, Colorado___TBA.

________I wish to work in a Guard Station/Camp accessible by car. This will involve restoration work on FS Facilities. This option is important if you are not in good shape for hiking steep grades. See page 50, Pack Test.

Unless a choice of locations listed below is selected by the volunteer, the projects will usually be assigned in Montana. Assignments in Idaho, Minnesota and Utah will be on a first come first serve basis. (Note: 75% of the projects are in Montana.)
I wish to work in ID ___, MT ___, MN ___, UT ___, CO (TBA) ___.
Other important information
________I am a qualified EMT, MD, or other emergency medical expertise.
________I am experienced in cooking and can cook for 6 to 12 individuals.
________Desire assignment with_____________________(Jumpers Name)
________I would like to help in scouting, or logistics and will come early.
________I am an experienced carpenter and have tools will travel!

Jon McBride’s phone 406-728-2302, E-mail is n2601@aol.com (preferred)
Bill Ruskin (for Colorado info) 719-599-3759, E-mail is bruskin1@earthlink.net.
Note: Assignment to projects are usually finalized and sent out in May.
Please use back of sheet to tell your story.

Smokejumpers Dodge Fast Moving Blaze, or: Fire Chases Old Smokejumpers

Retired smokejumpers find another project to work on after fleeing the Bridge Fire near Powell Ranger Station. They were at work Friday.
Volunteer trail workers dodge fast-moving blaze
By Dean A. Ferguson
Saturday, July 28, 2007
POWELL - Nine old smokejumpers were probably too tough to burn, but they fled the forest fire near Powell Ranger Station anyway.
"They're a pretty amazing crew, let me tell you," said Carol Hennessey, recreation and wilderness manager for the Powell Ranger District in the Clearwater National Forest.
On Wednesday, the retired smokejumpers were among about 30 people who hiked or rode out of trails southeast of the ranger station when lightning sparked the fast-moving Bridge Fire. Accompanied by six packers with the North Central Idaho Back Country Horsemen, the men were afoot deep in Idaho's most rugged terrain.
The members of the National Smokejumper Association had come from as far away as North Carolina as volunteers clearing wilderness trails.
"It was hot," was all Bob Whaley, 72, of Missoula had to say about the trail toward Pack Box Saddle.
Whaley jumped fires in the late 1950s before his career as a U.S. Marine pilot. Smokejumping taught him "military duty and camaraderie," preparation that made Marine training "a piece of cake."
Hennessey bragged about the men, since they were "too modest" to do it themselves. She said the crew had made fast progress clearing the trail - not even taking into account the youngest was 62 years old.
On Tuesday, the men cut at least 100 downed trees, some as big around as truck tires, with cross-cut saws. They pitched camp late and hit it hard the next day.
Maybe old smokejumpers just can't stay away from fire.
"One of the fellows looked down at the creek and said, 'Look at that plume of smoke,'" recalled Jim Renshaw, 75, of Kooskia, a retired outfitter who was packing in supplies. Renshaw turned on his radio and got a call from the rangers. "They called and told us to get out."
Even though the men used to head toward fires, nobody argued about retreating, Whaley said - the operative word in this case being "retired" smokejumpers.
The forced hike out was uneventful, although the men joked about prodding Renshaw's mules to make them go faster. The whole crew made it to safety and comfort at the ranger station around midnight.
It's little surprise the men weren't too excited about the ordeal. They jumped from airplanes during smokejumping's earlier days.
The first fire jumps were made into the Nez Perce National Forest on July 12, 1940, according to the National Smokejumper Association.
Thirty years later Jim Phillips, 64, of Helena was carrying on the tradition.
Phillips paused from skinning the bark off a lodgepole pine log Friday to recall his most memorable jump.
It was the day he jumped a fire with two other men. As he prepared for a soft landing in a grove of 30-foot-tall trees, a sharp snag pierced the armpit of his jumpsuit and ran all the way up to the tip of his glove. He was stranded, helpless, far off the ground.
"I'm impaled," Phillips recalled. "I'm not hurt, not injured, I just can't get out of it."
So, he hollered and help arrived, sort of.
"My two jump partners, they could see I wasn't injured and they saw I wasn't bleeding, so they sat down under the tree and had lunch."
Phillips' story goes a long ways toward explaining why a group of retirees can work like sharecroppers and call that a vacation. They find humor in working up a blister or getting chased off mountains by fire. They're the kind of men who know cold beer tastes best after you work up a thirst. And sore feet make a stump next to a campfire as comfortable as any Lazy-Boy recliner.
The ranger district still has plenty of work to keep the smokejumpers happy.
On Friday, four of them refurbished a cabin near Wendover Campground four miles west of Powell Ranger Station. The other five did maintenance work along the Lolo Motorway.
Although the work is volunteer, the Forest Service is paying for the men's meals and travel expenses. The men will donate that $1,200 to the Selway Bitterroot Foundation, a group dedicated to keeping the back country wild and open.
The smokejumpers will head back to their homes Monday. Maybe they'll relax a little bit. After the vacation they've had, they could use a break.
---
Ferguson may be contacted at dferguson@lmtribune.com or at (208) 743-9600, ext. 274.

Bloggers Note: Following are comments about the article.

"I love it...we need to bill them as the fleet of foot trail crew and in the future make appropriate assignments in fleet footed terrain. tk

"The guys are really pissed about the article using the word "fleeing". I helped a lot by telling them they are the only trail crew we have ever had that "fled" a fire."
Jon

NSA Trail Maintenance Recognized by American Hiking Society with $4000 Grant

On April 24, Jon McBride received a call from Ivan Levin of the American Hiking Society, headquartered in Silver Spring, MD confirming that the NSA Trail Maintenance Program will be the recipient of a $4000 grant for the purposes of purchasing new equipment for the use of our volunteers. In addition, a company in Oregon will donate three large camp stoves plus make available at a very low price the purchase of Sun Showers. Ivan complimented the NSA on its application and Newsletter saying it was one of the finest they had received and their board had spent a lot of time looking it over. NSA will receive confirmation of the grant in writing in the next few days and will receive the grant in 3 to 4 weeks.