Autumn 2012 IPF Newsletter - Independence Pass Foundation

Autumn 2012 Indy Pass Newsletter_Layout 1 10/12/2012 8:23 AM Page 1
Improving the ecology, original Beauty & safety of Independence pass
Photo by Linda Fieth
Newsletter of the
INDEPENDENCE PaSS FOuNDaTION
Autumn 2012
Photos Courtesy of Neal Beidleman
The Beidleman Family’s love affair with Independence Pass spans six decades and three generations. The photo at left is of Neal
Beidleman’s Dad, Larry Beidleman, in his beloved jeep up Lincoln Creek Road in the mid-1960s. The 1965 photo at right shows his
Mom, Evelyn, brother Keith and Neal (standing on the fender). These family photos remind us of the many ways people of all ages
enjoy the Pass. Here, where State Highway 82 passes over the 12,095-foot summit of the Pass, travelers can see many of Colorado’s
highest peaks and experience first-hand the magnificent scenery, vegetation and wildlife that characterize the Colorado high country.
This spectacular corridor is a favorite recreational playground, a treasure-trove of history and a priceless ecological resource. It is
also a place where residents and visitors alike can go to find renewal. We invite readers to submit their family photos and stories.
Our Independence
S
By Neal Beidleman
As a teenager, my first climbing experiences took
omewhere around 1965 or ‘66 my Dad threw me in
place on the many craggy outcroppings of rock sprinkled
the back of our beloved Jeep, and up the Pass we
up and down the long corridor. Sunny afternoons were
rumbled. The Pass was not yet paved, and seemed
spent cutting my teeth on the
long and daunting, constituting a
challenging routes, puzzling
big adventure through the eyes of a
through the unique climbing styles
six- or seven- year-old. On the last
required there. Climbing with a
Aspen-side switchback, a huge rock
partner near treeline and no one
in the middle of the road split the
else around was and still is the
up and down lanes to either side.
norm. It has been a wonderful
This made a lasting impression
experience to take our own kids up
on me, wondering how and
to some of the very routes I climbed
when that rock got there. The only
as a kid, and watch them address
safety barriers were the old stone
those challenges themselves. We
and cement blocks at the two
can always count on a healthy,
narrows. Wild West? Not like the
friendly and welcoming reception.
old stagecoach days, but still a
Neal’s 88-year-old Dad, Larry Beidleman,
One memorable route I worked
unique experience. Today the Pass
photographs fall leaves in 2010.
is paved, but the amazing valley
on for an entire summer long ago
the road cuts through is the same
Continued on next page
beautiful and inspiring one traveled by all.
Independence pass FoundatIon, p.o. Box 1700, aspen, co 81612
n
970.963.4959
n
independencepass.org
Autumn 2012 Indy Pass Newsletter_Layout 1 10/12/2012 8:23 AM Page 2
“A large cairn sits proudly at an awesome overlook frequented by deer, elk, goats, and mountain lion.”
Photo by Ted Mahon
success, and to this day it is still one of the really great
climbing memories I have.
When not pursuing climbing on the Pass, my wife
Amy and I spend many days each year hiking and
running the trails scattered throughout the main valley
and its tributaries. The Pass offers such fantastic access
to the above-treeline high country like few other places.
I never tire of exploring the expansive views and
gorgeous country.
Photos Courtesy of Neal Beidleman
“The Pass is a place for the soul, one that
energizes and quiets all at the same time”
Neal Beidleman climbs one
of his routes called Johnny
Come Lately, 5.12b.
Nina Beidleman, 10-yr.-old
daughter of Neal and amy,
goes on her first hike-in,
overnight camping trip up
Lost Man Loop in 2008,
and five-yr.-old son Reed
learns to climb near
Gemstone Crag in 2005.
was a challenging aide climb. This kind of climbing involves
hanging from the little protection we could place in tiny crack
seams and deformities, slowly crafting our way upwards. We
were 14-years-old. Our gear had been mostly scrounged at a
yard sale and the rest borrowed from older climbers. We’d
hitchhike up in the morning to our objective. We donned jeans,
wool sweaters, and our motorcycle style ski racing helmets,
and carried a rack of old pitons, climbing nuts and a rusty
hammer. The only rope we had was a stiff, hemp rope called
Goldline. We threw ourselves up the overhanging cliff face,
learning as we went. The end of the summer finally saw
One of our best kept secret locations offers
towering views from above the road on a surprisingly
flat bench belying the rest of the terrain around. A large
cairn sits proudly at an awesome overlook frequented
by deer, elk, goats, and mountain lion. We visit it often,
and admire the enduring qualities of the stacked
stones. This is also the place I go when I need to sort
out the complexities of life. The expansive views of all
the highest peaks of the Elks in the distance, the central
Sawatch and the Williams Mountains never fail to
provide the powerful, but peaceful environment
thoughtful times deserve.
There are few places where I spend as much time.
The Pass is a place for the soul, one that energizes and
quiets all at the same time. Whether it’s a spring ski on
the perfectly angled slopes covered in corn snow,
working our hands into a clean crack on a cliff face
high above the ribbon of road, or returning from the
eastern slope late in the evening, the Pass always feels
like home.
In august, u.S. Forest Service employees led a team of
mules to the ridge southwest of the Pass summit to
remove rebar material for from the Pass. Years ago rebar
dowels were pounded into the ground to act as anchors
for snow fences. Protruding above the ground, these
unsightly dowels posed a hazard for hikers and skiers.
Autumn 2012 Indy Pass Newsletter_Layout 1 10/12/2012 8:23 AM Page 3
The Independence Pass Foundation
appreciates Our Generous Supporters!
summit sustainers
Photo by Mark Fuller
Formed in 2003, as special group of IPF supporters
called “Summit Sustainers” is composed of individuals,
businesses and foundations who commit to making a gift
that totals $12,095. Donors may choose to pay the full
amount of the gift in a single year, or they may take up to
five years ($2,419 per year) to fulfill their gifts by making
annual pledge payments.
What is the significance of 12,095? The Pass summit
is 12,095 feet, and IPF’s stabilization and revegetation
work along the Top Cut lies just below the summit. The
generosity of Summit Sustainers greatly enhances IPF’s
ability to continue our projects throughout the corridor.
The Farwell Mill (lower center) and Highway 82, with the
Independence Ghost Town in the distance: The new .4
mile “Farwell Mill Trail” follows the path of the original
stagecoach road over the Pass.
New Farwell Mill Trail
Will Provide Historic Views
T
his fall the Independence Pass Foundation began
work on a new trail between the Farwell Mill and
the Independence Ghost Town. The “Farwell Mill
Trail”, which follows the route of the original stagecoach
road over the Pass, will be about .4 mile long and will
provide a new access point to the Ghost Town from the
west. The trail work consisted largely of clearing brush,
laying down a surface of crusher fines, and reclaiming the
parallel track of the old two-track road to create a single
walking path. The work was performed by the inmate
crew from the Buena Vista Correctional Facility under the
watchful eye of Aspen Historical Society archivist Anna
Scott, who looked for possible artifacts and made sure that
the site’s historic integrity was not impacted.
Generally paralleling Highway 82, the trail is a
gentle grade with a few small hills and dips and one
seasonal stream crossing. Any able-bodied walker should
be able to easily negotiate it (the trail will be open to
pedestrians only). Trail users can park near the old Farwell
Mill at Mile Marker 57, and walk along the same route
that horses and wagons used to access the Town and the
Pass in the 1880s. New signs, to be developed by the
Historical Society, will provide information along the trail
route so that visitors can understand why, how and when
this area was originally settled.
“The Independence Pass Foundation is very excited
about this significant improvement to the Ghost Town
area,” said Mark Fuller, IPF Executive Director. “The new
Farwell Mill Trail will give visitors a greater appreciation
of the historic significance of the Independence Ghost
Town and a close-up understanding of this area’s unique
environment. It will be an opportunity to interact in a
much more meaningful way with this area than simply
Continued on next page
summit sustainers ($12,095 over 5 Years)
anonymous Donors
Catto Charitable Fnd.
Juliane Heyman
Lisa & Willem Mesdag, The Mesdag Family Fnd.
alison H. & Boniface a. Zaino
If you are interested in learning more about this group, please
contact Judith Olesen, Development Director, 970.230.9223.
august 1 - october 5, 2012
suMMit Partners
($100,000 & above)
Anonymous Donors
City of Aspen
Colorado Dept. of Transportation
Pitkin County
U.S. Forest Service
sub-alPine Friends ($2,500-$4,999)
Jettie Kelly, T.R.Q. Family Fnd.
David B. Spencer, The Joe W. &
Dorothy Dorsett Brown Fnd.
Montane Friends($1,000-$2,499)
Ruth H. Brown Fnd.
William H. & Mattie Wattis Harris Fnd.
James J. Markalunas, In Memory of
Ramona Markalunas
Lisa A. Markalunas, In Memory of
Ramona Markalunas
Forest Friends ($500-$999)
Gillian V. & Robert Steel, Robert K.
Steel Family Fnd.
Meadow Friends ($250-$499)
Peter Anzalone & Angeles N. Torres
Sallie M. & Thomas E. Bernard
Anthony M. Dilucia, Jr., In Honor of
Ramona Markalunas
Susan & George Fesus
Bette D. Oakes, Roaring Fork Market
Place
streaM Friends ($100-$249)
Aspen Elks Lodge #224
Barbara Allen, Pine Tree Players
Rebecca T. Ayres
Beatrice H. & Gordon T. Beckley
Michael Behrendt
Clark’s Cash Savers Program
Rosemary & Stirling Colgate
James L. Curtis, Curtis Associates
Catherine R., Peter R. & Richard
Russell Davis
Marian Lyeth Davis
Suzanne Farver & Clint Van Zee
Eileen Fish
M.J. & John C. Gray
Richard Horvitz
Loretta W. Hubbard
W. Robert Laitos
Roberta B. & Myrl L. Lemburg
Andrea & Lubert Stryer
Everett J. Wiehe
Andrew F. Wiessner
Moraine Friends ($1-$99)
Linda C. Binder
Kathryn M. Buster, In Memory of
Ramona Markalunas
Thomas G. Chapin
Cathryn R. & Thomas F. Crum
Lizbeth & John Diprato
Randy Gold & Dawn Shepard
Philip R. Hodgson
John G. Keleher
Cathleen M. Krahe
Marianne B. & Harry M. Martin
Marian F. McAleenan
Cliff Mohwinkel
Helen Palmer
Fonda & Charles Paterson
Rachel E. Richards
The Gary Rosenau Fnd.
Marlene Schroeder
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The Independence Pass Foundation
is grateful to The Thrift Shop of aspen
for its generous grant of $5,000 in
support of the IPF Newsletter.
Independence Pass Foundation
Photo by Mark Fuller
Bob Wade, President
Kristen Henry, Vice President
Debbi Falender, Secretary
Paul D’amato, Treasurer
Directors: Boots Ferguson, adam Fortier,
Bill Gruenberg, Heidi H. Hoffmann, Gail Holstein,
David Hyman, James Peterson, & King Woodward
Mark Fuller, Executive Director
Judith Olesen, Development Director
looking over the Town from the parking lot, and it will be
a pleasant and beautiful walk in its own right.”
IPF hopes this trail will become the first segment of
a longer trail that will eventually enable Ghost Town
visitors to make a complete circuit around the Town,
including a leg on the north side of Highway 82 through
the lodgepole pine forest opposite the townsite. This
forest, which was planted in the Depression of the 1930s,
is a unique feature of the Ghost Town in that it is a
man-made, mature forest that represents an early attempt
to reverse the environmental damage wrought by the
area’s original settlers and miners.
Developing a trail through the lodgepole pine forest
would give visitors a different recreational opportunity,
and provide a venue for education on the history and
forest ecolog of the area. Planning and environmental
studies to determine the potential impacts of such a trail
will be underway soon so that IPF, Aspen Historical
Society and U.S. Forest Service can make decisions about
if and when to move forward with this project.
Photo by Mark Fuller
Over the years, students from local schools have helped
to reclaim the Farwell Mill site by planting native seedling
trees, shrubs and wildflowers.
On October 3, IPF Executive Director Mark Fuller teamed
up with Jim Kravitz, Director of Naturalist Programs at
aspen Center for Environmental Studies, to teach a oneday class in the natural and human history of the Pass
called “My Independence”. at the Weller Lake Trailhead,
the group learned about the ecology of aspen groves.
PerMit #134
GRAND JCT CO
INDEPENDENCE PaSS FOuNDaTION
P.O. BOx 1700
aSPEN, COLORaDO 81612
Paid
US POSTAGE
NONPROFIT ORG