CATS Trail Project Reports

CATS Attack Duncan Ridge – 13 Sep 2018 Not like Missionary Ridge in during the Civil War, but CATS did lay in a nice attack on stone steps installation on a climbers trail that needed some attention. Larimer County trail crews put in about 30 steps a few years ago and this fall we were asked to add on to their nice work. Some steps needed repairs while the remaining trail requires new stone steps. This is our first whack on the trail and we will most likely be there until it is finished. Lots of available stone and some stone is like cut to order. The vision on putting steps has been fun and all those out there are having a good time becoming ‘rock whisperers’. Not everyone has the ability to see what a black space of dirt will become after throwing in a stone. Tim- our photographer has been having a ‘field day’ with shooting our folks working the stone. These training videos coming out in the future should be a really nice touch for our websit...

CATS Back in mountains at Lory State Park – 7-9 Sep 2018 I missed the other two CPW (Colorado Parks and Wildlife reports) at Cheyenne Mountain and State Forest State Park and decided I better report on this one. Besides I am working on a combo article for all three parks coming out soon. So, this is our 4 th continuous year camping behind the famous Arthurs Rock and whacking trail in the back country to keep it safe and useable for all user groups. This year we were back in our original campsites three years ago (5 and 6) and the place brought back good old memories for sure. Like all years before, we assembled at the maintenance area for unloading and then loading a dump truck full of our personal gear to go up the mountain. So much fun in the parking lot and shuffling around. Finally we were off and going for a spell until Bobcat (me) broke the muley. It just made a loud noise and then thunking or banging thereafter. Very disturbing and nois...

CATS at Mariana Butte – The Hidden Hogback Trail again 30 Aug 2018 Yes, back again and with a vengeance to get the crusher fines done and finished. Guess what? We got it done – except for about 30 feet of open trail. What a night! Especially for some of us that just got back from that huge trail adventure down in the Springs (Colorado Springs) on top of Cheyenne Mountain. We are still sore and tired, but yet we threw out crusher fines and hauled them up the trail in wheel barrows and canvas bags. The trail looks different now as it has a yellow glow to it. We hope this is the answer to the muddy issues in the winter time. We laid down about 2-3” base and thicker in some areas to pull up the trail. Also on the east corner coming into the river view, we put in a nice rubble turn to hold the corner in place. All good – but sweaty. Nice work for our dedicated CATS. Tough work and no joking around – this took muscle power to get it done. Heck, Scott f...