Perspective
by Bill Houghton
Sometimes when you see a situation from a different perspective,, a whole new vision appears.
Following through on a promise made to a past chair of the Pikes Peak Group, I committed to climb El Diente and Mt Wilson in the San Juan range. I had seen the north approach to El Diente and noticed a distinct trail off the ridge to the south. I recommended that we try this south approach as an alternative to the dangerous north side of the mountain. We had been intimidated on the north slopes by rotten, loose rock with hazards of rock fall on that route. Besides, Roach (Colorado Fourteeners) had recommended the Kilpacker Basin along the south approach as an “enchanting place.”
I was physically prepared for the endurance required for the climb, but not for the distinct difference between the Silver Pick (north) and Kilpacker (south) approaches to the same mountains. We had always made the climb from Silver Pick and endured the climb to Rock of Ages saddle before climbing either peak. This route reveals old mining roads, spectacular creek gorges, views of the remains of the aerial tramway, and a very special rock structure that must have been a bunkhouse for the miners. A good deal of information about mining history is gained by those who take the time to study these features.
In contrast, the Kilpacker route takes us from a high meadow on a beautiful aspen and wildflower filled trail, traverses the nose of a ridge, then through a mature pine and fir forest on a well shaded hike to Kilpacker Creek. Belying the confusion of descriptions, the trail up Kilpacker Creek was distinct and obvious. It rose through Corn Husk Lilies and crossed the creek before arriving at Roach’s recommended camp site below the lower falls. It was indeed enchanting. This was the idyllic mountain setting that so many envision. Could this be the other side of our dangerous mountain?
The (by now obscure) point I am trying to make in this picturesque way is that, although our environmental views have taking a media bashing for “obstructing” fire hazard reduction efforts of the Forest Service, seeing the issue from the other side of the mountain helps give a more complete picture. Although your club has not been a party to these lawsuits, the efforts of the environmental community have not been to obstruct but to challenge the Forest Service to provide fire hazard reduction closer to population-dense areas, rather than “way back in the hills.” To us, it sounded like an excuse to build roads and harvest timber. Please take these editorial diatribes for what they are and read them with a grain of salt.
The Colorado Mountain Club was involved in a challenge to the Forest Service permit for the “Adventure Race” around Telluride. The Forest Service was in the process of granting a permit for this activity when the club found out about it. During the high fire danger period and without public comment, the Forest Service was about to allow a commercial operator to do what no private citizen could do in the San Juan National Forest: run, camp, ride, rappel, and be supported by over 700 personnel in an environmentally fragile area that is a habitat for endangered species. We are (and were) not against adventure races, but we oppose the granting of a permit without following the established procedures that allow public comment and suggestions for mitigation. Just as the Forest Service saw fit (pun intended) to allow fire hazard reduction in low priority areas, they were allowing a commercial operator to trample (literally) the Environmental Protection and Endangered Species Acts.
We rarely have had such a high profile as in the last few months over conservation issues. We usually operate inside the system, but it is time that we stand up for what we believe in a more dramatic and forceful way. The mountains are being taken away from us by the very stewards who are charged with protecting them. We need to show them the other side of the mountain. P