We call it our trail head even though it's not. But we do own part of the land that people park on to ski, ride, snowmobile, hike, etc. And it's not even the official trail head. The official trail head is up the road a half a mile or so.
We continue to pick up the trash left behind by these purists who come up to the mountains to enjoy the day. We have seen people pee, poop, spit, puke, you name it. We have seen it. We have picked it up. Used rubbers, used toilet paper, used hanker chiefs, old broken bungies, left-over parts from snowmobiles or jeeps just left there, twine, cigarette butts (what's up with you smokers that can't understand throwing cigarette butts on the ground is LITTERING!), bottles, cans, bon-fire wood that has been burned even though there is no pit or ring. It's frustrating and now we are even more frustrated.
This winter has started off very slow for us because the snow just hasn't been falling. But, the snowmobilers don't seem to mind. We get an inch and 3 or 4 of them are raring to go, revving up their machines and taking off up the mountain, rocks, water, grass still showing.
The next week, we get and inch and more trailers are barrelling up the road to get it!!
Give it a rest people. This is so ridiculous to watch. Not only that but the snow pack is extremely unsafe right now and everyone knows that but still flirts with it.
This is what happened 2 days ago.
We had a storm, not a huge storm but it dumped some snow on the mountains. The day started out normal. Kids driving up the road like a bat out of hell to get some powder. 10 or so are in the parking lot, smoking, peeing, laughing, revving up the machines, psyched. We see it everyday.
They all take off up the mountain, tandem, towing riders/skiers. They get to Little Alaska and it looks great. Keep in mind, this is serious terrain. It's not to be taken lightly. Well, these guys are standing on the top and of course it slides. Not a little but it was a huge slide. Avalanches can kill you. But so many don't seem to care. Luckily, nobody was caught but it's just a matter of time. This is a daily thing up here and it's so frustrating to see when there is no respect.
Anyway, I'm heading to work and Kurtis is working on skis in the garage. I notice his snowmobile in our driveway and I'm thinking it's some skier/rider using our phone or "borrowing" a shovel without asking. So , I go into the garage and it's Kurtis and I'm joking with him saying I think he's some dude taking a shit in our toilet in the garage. It's happened. We're laughing at how living at a trail head has it's disadvantages when, this guy rides up on his snowmobile, panicked and asks to use our phone. I have absolutely no problem with this and give him the phone. It was just ironic because Kurtis and I were just talking about all of the people coming to the house for various reasons.
This guy dials 911 and his buddy apparently broke his femur up in Deer Creek. Terrible.
As I'm driving to work two cops in their trucks with snowmobiles in the bed are driving up to Deer Creek with their sirens on and I'm just hoping this guy will be alright. They ended up flight for life-ing him out of Deer Creek. I hope they had a fishing license.
That day was just an example of a great day gone bad. I was reading on Facebook all the comments about this day and of course there was the proverbial comment stating that they were just going up for a look-see and if the conditions weren't promising they were just going to hang out and enjoy the scenery and company of friends. I get that but give me a break. The conditions were extremely dangerous and everyone in this county knows that. It's all over the radios, CAIC (Colorado Avalanche Information Center) website, and everyone is talking about it. So, even if you aren't backcountry savvy and can't tell what the conditions are like it's in your face. You get 5-10 twenty-something guys together with snowmobiles, skis, boards, packs, and unstable conditions, something is going to happen.
My husband is beside himself everyday watching this, in our parking lot. And yes, we do consider it our parking lot/trail head because we maintain it.
For those who come up here for the first time or the 101st time and think it's special. It is special. It's been special for us for 21 years. And you first timer's. Quit acting like it's some long lost gem of a secret ski area that you are now skiing/riding and feel the need to tell your friends what YOU discovered. Believe me, I've heard it and just shake my head in disgust.
Be respectful people. If you have an emergency feel free to use the phone. If you're stuck and need a shovel, feel free to use a shovel but put it back where you found it and if you break it-you buy it. If you come up with a snowmobile, don't ride it round and round in the parking lot so we can hear you. Ride up the mountain. If you need to unload your snowmobile, don't park in our driveway to do so. Figure it out without using the berm. If you have to pee or poop don't use our bathroom. Go in the woods where I can't drive up and, for God's sake, see your little, tiny weenie flapping in the wind. And, dispose of your feces like you should. Pick up your PBR cans and bottles and trash and don't feed my dog. He has a sensitive stomach and barfs it all up at 2 in the morning. And last, don't ski/ride when you know the conditions are dangerously unsafe.
And if you do and things go wrong, own up to it and admit that you weren't smart that day.
I'm not saying the guy with the broken femur did anything wrong, that was just a part of everyday life skiing in Deer Creek. I hope he's alright.
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