Christmas Tree Cutting Day 5 Saturday December 9

[LCPilot]

Meet at the Divide Philips 66 at 7:45 am. Leave at 8:15 and go check in with the Forest Rangers at the Rule Ridge parking lot at 8:30. That is where we air down and get a briefing on the latest conditions, areas to patrol, FS radio issue, magnetic sign issue, maps etc.

Remember to bring a GMRS radio (we use channel 5-0), recovery gear, winter clothes, tire chains, coffee and lunch.

We do a debrief with the FS Rangers at 3:00 pm, return FS gear, air up and go home.

Please reply to this thread if you plan on going on this day.

 

[LCPilot]

I will be there on Saturday

 

[EricG]

Ok, going to try to make this one!

 

[LCPilot]

I received this email from Josh VonLoh.

VonLoh, Joshua - FS, CO
From:joshua.vonloh@usda.gov
Toavid Molter



Tue, Dec 5 at 11:56 AM


David,



I was asked to forward you this information while the club is out assisting with the Christmas tree cutting patrols. Better to be safe than sorry.

Will keep you posted if I hear they are apprehended.

Josh VonLoh Recreation, Partnerships and Volunteers Forest Service Pikes Peak Ranger District p: 719-477-4211 c: 719-237-3063 joshua.vonloh@usda.gov 601 South Weber Street Colorado Springs, CO 80903 www.fs.fed.us Caring for the land and serving people

From:
Sent: Tuesday, December 5, 2023 11:40 AM
To:
Subject: BOLO From Law Enforcement


For everyone’s awareness while working out in the field -



This morning, Law Enforcement mentioned a BOLO for individuals who have been contacted on the Pikes Peak RD in the past. See the attached photos and descriptions. They drive an early 2000 gray Toyota Corolla sedan.



Info from Captain Hightower –



[11/29 9:17 AM] Hightower, Jason - FS, CO

Be On The Look Out

If any FPO observes or contacts either of these individuals, please contact your local LEO or the local law enforcement. Do not attempt to write any warning or violation notices to either, get a good location and immediately contact law enforcement. They are known to rotate their location throughout the forest and to poach wildlife. Last location was around the Rampart Range area of Pikes Peak District. Captain Hightower phone number 970-792-5867

Sue Miller Recreation Special Use Permit Administrator Forest Service Pikes Peak Ranger District p: 719-477-4222 f: 719-477-4233 Susan.Miller1@usda.gov 601 S. Weber St. Colorado Springs, CO 80903 www.fs.fed.us Caring for the land and serving people

 

[Goslow]

I plan to be there.

 

[LCPilot]

Latest weather report that I see has a low of 14, high of 24 and 6 in. of snow expected.

 

[EricG]

I'm seeing 7" to 11" on weather.gov
Snow day guys!

 

[COS80]

My 80 is out of commission.

 

[EricG]

Hey guys, one of my doors won't latch this morning. Working on it, but will likely be late at best.

 

[EricG]

Door latch is FUBAR, need to replace. Not gonna be up today

 

[Goslow]

Hey Eric, this is Vic. We will meet you at the rule Ridge trailhead. But if you don’t show up for quite a while, we will go up road 357 and take an extra radio and magnet signs for you.

 

[Goslow]

Eric, just saw your post. Sorry you can’t make it. Hope you can make it next weekend.

 

[EricG]

Hope you guys had a good day up there. Really wanted to make it.
Here's my latch mechanism. The red line shows the part that broke off. There's supposed to be a spring in that channel that causes the latch to engage when you close the door. Luckily I had one in my parts stash, because it's discontinued by Toyota. But by the time I figured out the problem, found the part, and got it changed (and ran to OReilly because half my door card clips broke) I figured it was to late to head up.

 

[LCPilot]

Another good day of patrolling. Vic was driving his Lexus and I was driving mine with a rider Pam. During the briefing the FS requested that we focus on the East side of the area. We put on tire chains to be on the safe side. I went on the North end of FR357 and Vic stayed on the South end. Overnight the area collected about 10 in. of snow on the South end and got another 2 in. during the day. Up on the North end the day was spent passing out Smokey Bear stickers to kids and lots of driving pushing the track wider. Vic reported that he pulled 2 pickup trucks out of the ditches on the end of FR 364 near the intersection of FR357.

 

[Goslow]

The F250 was a difficult pull, even with four tires chained up. I like how the guy’s wife was doing the shoveling ha ha ha.

 

[Goslow]

Here’s a picture of the second truck I pulled out, a half ton, 2 WD Ram. He had backed over the bank too far to get out, and I could not get him out with traction boards, so I hooked the rope up to him and pulled him out. He made a substantial cash contribution for our Christmas party fund tonight.