Christmas Tree Cutting Patrol Day 1, Nov 29, 2025

[LCPilot]

Meet at the Divide Philips 66 at 7:45 am. Leave at 8:15 and go to 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, maps etc.

Remember to bring a GMRS radio (we use channel 15-0), recovery gear, winter clothes, tire chains, coffee and lunch.

We do a debrief at 3:00 pm back at Rule Ridge, air up and go home.

If you volunteer the FS Rangers will allow you to cut a tree without buying a permit.

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

Attached is a PDF of the Tree cutting area and the FS roads that we patrol.

 

[Goslow]

I plan to be there.

 

[LCPilot]

I will be there for the kick off of the season. I'll try to bring a guest.

 

[SAS]

I'll be there, too!

 

[Goslow]

Four of us showed up for this day one patrol. We had a 60, an 80, a 100, and a Jeep. We drove most of the area and passed out USFS goodies to many of the kids we saw. All of the stream crossings were open, and the Phantom Creek Crossing had ice chunks in it but was not frozen. A highlight of the day was eating the Brunswick stew for lunch that SAS brought. Here we are at our lunch break.

 

[SAS]

Hat tip to Melissa for the inspiration on the Brunswick stew. A couple/few years back she brought some with jalapeno cornbread muffins. I was reminiscing about that trip now that the winter weather is coming. Of course, her's supercedes mine! But it was still hot and delicious!

 

[LCPilot]

Here is a class photo of the participants.