Locations: Español By Olivia Emmer Published Mar. 17, 2021

Conduce sobre tierra, no sobre barro

Tomada la tarde del 4 de marzo del 2021, esta foto de Red Hill muestra una sección enlodada del camino no lejos del estacionamiento. El consejo de Red Hill alienta a las personas a usar el área temprano durante la mañana mientras el lodo todavía está congelado, y para dar a los caminos tiempo de secarse si están lodosos. Foto de Olivia Emmer.

Traducción por Dolores Duarte

Conforme las temperaturas incrementan con la llegada de la primavera, también lo hace la cantidad de barro en nuestras rutas o caminos locales. A diferencia de los caminos en otras partes del país, donde los suelos son arenosos y el uso de rutas en condiciones de… read more →

Locations: News By Olivia Emmer Published Mar. 10, 2021

Ride dirt, not mud

Taken on the afternoon of March 4, 2021, this photo from Red Hill shows a muddy section of trail not far from the parking lot. The Red Hill Council encourages people to use the area early in the morning while the mud is still frozen, and to give trails time to dry out if they are muddy. Photo by Olivia Emmer.

As temperatures increase with the approach of spring, so does the amount of mud on our local trails. Unlike trails in some other parts of the country, where soils are loamy and use of trails during wet conditions isn’t a problem, many trails in the Roaring Fork River Valley have… read more →

Locations: News By Olivia Emmer Published Mar. 3, 2021

WRNF explores aspen forest management

Aspen forests are important wildlife habitat, with rich soils and the second highest biodiversity of any forest-type in the Rocky Mountain West, after riparian forests. Photo by Olivia Emmer.

The White River National Forest (WRNF) is seeking public comment on a proposal to manage aspen forests. The project cites declining aspen forests due to drought, insects, disease, wildfire suppression, and browsing pressure.
The WRNF’s motivations for preserving and expanding aspen forest-types include “their scenic value, the important wildlife… read more →

Locations: News By Olivia Emmer Published Feb. 24, 2021

Storms boost the snowpack to near-normal

This map of Colorado shows the persistent drought conditions across the state. Maps are released by the Drought Monitor every Thursday. This map reflects improved conditions on Feb. 16, 2021, and takes into account February storms that increased local snowpack. Map by David Miskus.

Colorado ended last year in an exceptional drought. By Oct. 2020, 22% of Colorado was categorized in “exceptional drought.” This number peaked at almost 28%, where it hovered for much of January.
Exceptional drought (D4) is the most severe drought category used by the National Weather Service, and… read more →

Locations: News By Olivia Emmer Published Feb. 17, 2021

Lease appeal dismissed by Pitkin County Manager

This map of Glassier Open Space shows both Lease B and Lease F, the parcels that were recently opened up to a lease award process through Pitkin County Open Space and Trails. Lease B is 81.2 acres of irrigated pasture and Lease F is three acres that includes irrigation and a loafing shed. Lease A, a 40 acre parcel, will come up for lease in fall of this year. Courtesy map.

At the end of January, a competitive lease application process for Pitkin County-owned agricultural land at the Glassier Open Space property in Basalt selected its winner, the Marigold Livestock Co.
On Feb. 1, 2021, José Miranda, one of the other applicants and founder of Rocking TT Bar, filed a… read more →

Locations: News By Olivia Emmer Published Feb. 10, 2021

Conserved ranch looks to future

Sunfire Ranch from above. Courtesy photo.

At the end of 2020, a conservation easement that had been in negotiation for more than five years came to fruition. Sunfire Ranch, over 1,200 acres near the confluence of the Crystal River and Thompson Creek, sold a $10M conservation easement to Pitkin County Open Space and Trails (PCOST). Support… read more →

Locations: News By Olivia Emmer Published Jan. 27, 2021

Lynx tolerate recreation, but rely on limited habitat

Canada lynx, similar in size to bobcats, are specially adapted to life in the snow, with large feet and long hind legs. Photo by Ted Wood.

On Feb. 4, Lucretia Olson, ecologist for the Rocky Mountain Research Station of the United States Forest Service (USFS), will present her research on lynx in Colorado as part of Naturalist Nights. This local series is hosted by Wilderness Workshop, Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, and Roaring Fork… read more →

Locations: News By Olivia Emmer Published Jan. 20, 2021

Plotz for Plosky’s and kvell for Kula

Mark Hardin (left) and David Eisenson (right) stand on Colorado Avenue in front of the partially-constructed building that will house their deli, Plosky’s, which will feature bagels and lox, reubens, pastrami on rye and other classic New York sandwich fare. Photo by Olivia Emmer.

Bagel-lovers rejoice, a new Jewish-style deli is on its way. Slated to open in June 2021 is Plosky’s, the new venture of long-time local chefs David Eisenson and Mark Hardin. The pair met working at Six89, the much-loved restaurant by Mark Fischer that closed in 2012. They’ve both… read more →

Locations: News By Olivia Emmer Published Jan. 16, 2021

How does La Niña impact Colorado snowfall?

La Niña means that water temperatures in the Central Pacific Ocean are lower than average for at least three months in a row. Courtesy graphic.

The world is currently experiencing a La Niña cycle, which means that water temperatures in the Central Pacific Ocean are lower than average for at least three months in a row. The threshold to be in La Niña is at least 0.5 degrees Celsius lower than average, or about one… read more →