32114 The Marmot Messenger STAUNTON STATE PARK

VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER MAY – JUNE 2015 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 3

MARMOT MESSENGER 2

Phase II changes coming this year Park will see major upgrades entrance booth and picnic area at the Taylor said one benefit of the new including nature center current main parking are now center will be more education of Staunton State Park will have a new located. Taylor said he has met with visitors and volunteers will play a face by summer 2018, according to architects and contractors and hopes huge part in this role. construction will begin sometime park manager Zach Taylor. "The nature center will give visitors later this year. Although plans are opportunities to see the history of By 2018 the hope is" we will have not complete, a natural "log house" the park on display" with more infrastructure, easier access to look to compliment the mountain literature about the park, the peoples educational resources (about the surroundings is what is envisioned. park) and visitors' experiences will be who populated the area, mining and enhanced," Taylor said. The center, about 6,000 square feet other activities tied Staunton's rich in size, is still in the planning stages, history, Zach noted. The $3.5 million project, planned and will include a multi-purpose The maintenance facility Phase II for development of classroom to seat 80, also serving as Staunton, will be funded by GOCO. an educational center. A conference In order to maintain the nature Plans for this phase are still in the room, small meeting room, six center and for storage of equipment, works, but Zach has a message for office rooms and a "bull pen" for vehicles, tools and other supplies volunteers: work space, in addition to a necessary for the workings of the "Hang on. It's going quick." He said transaction window replacing the park, a maintenance center will be he wants volunteers to know he is entrance booth and a lobby with built. It will be located just north of doing the best he can to ensure that restrooms are also included. The the Boyd House and will cut off the through the phase he will see current road leading up to the to it the park remains in its maintenance yard. natural landscape. Walk-in campground "The hidden aspect of the park Long-term plans call for two will be maintained," he added. campgrounds, one facility just south of where the Fatty T Phase II calls for the following parking lot is located and improvements in order of another backcountry walk-in priority: site on the Dines property 1. A nature center north of the spur trail to Mason Creek trail. Only the 2. a maintenance center backcountry walk-in site will 3. walk-in camping center will take about eight to nine be constructed during Phase II. months to build, according to 4. road to main parking The plan is to reroute Staunton Taylor, but should be ready to move 5. Staunton Ranch trail reroute Ranch trail through the Dines into by summer 2016 if plans are property which will give access to 6. Elk Falls trail approved and construction begins in these campsites and campers must the fall. Most likely the center won’t Originally, a main parking area with hike in from parking. Each of the be ready to open until fall 2016 or 70-plus sites was included in this roughly 28 sites will include a picnic summer 2017. phase, but funding issues may push table and tent pad. Fires will not be this project into Phase III. The center's multi-purpose room allowed at these backcountry sites. The nature center will serve as the new meeting place No bathroom facilities will be for volunteer meetings to replace the provided in this phase. Parking will The first priority will be to build a Boyd House. be located at the old rock pile, nature center located where the currently horse trailer parking, which MARMOT MESSENGER 3 will be renovated as the new main maintain the current GPA lot as with overnight camping because they parking lot for Staunton Ranch trail. parking for users of this facility only. will be able to spend multiple days Road to middle parking As a result, the trailhead for exploring the park's trail system. Staunton Ranch trail will begin at the Volunteers will be needed more than Although the future middle parking new Rock Pile lot. Other changes ever after this phase is completed. lot to be located near the current will include rerouting through Dines More opportunities in the area of maintenance yard will likely not be property and away from the road, education through the Nature completed this phase, plans for the Chase Chalet and Chase Cabin before center, increased trail hosting and construction of this road will go rejoining the original trail route. forward. The road, currently gated even helping with campgrounds as Elk Falls trail and off-limits to visitors, actually hosts and with campsite begins at the Group Picnic Area. The construction of Elk Falls trail will development will be needed, be the final priority for Phase II and according to Zach. The road will be rerouted in spots to has already been flagged. Zach provide access to a new horse trailer Volunteers have mixed reactions to emphasized that all trail construction parking lot and eliminate some the Phase II plans. Some are taking a will be a last priority of this phase. curves and steep grades. It will also wait and see attitude. Bill Fox said, provide visitor vehicle access into Currently, a timeline has not been "Whatever it is, we'll work with it." middle parts of the park and the established for Phase II. The nature He added it would definitely historical cabin area. In Phase II the center will be top priority with hopes enhance the work load for road will be improved with gravel of breaking ground this fall. volunteers. And although he was surface and asphalted in a future However, no plans are currently somewhat concerned about the phase. determined for the maintenance campgrounds, he said a campground center. allowing tents would be okay with "No plans to extend the road him. beyond the future middle parking Taylor said Phase II will result in lot" are in the works, Taylor "opportunities that are endless" for Gary Finley said, "The devil is in the emphasized. visitors to the park including better details," meaning we will have to wait and see how the plans go forward. Staunton Ranch reroute trail resources for education and climber, biker/hiker and family access to He said there will certainly be more Plans are to build a main parking lot other reaches of the park. He added opportunities for volunteers to get where the current rock pile and horse visitor experiences will be enhanced involved. trailer parking exist. The idea is to

What’s Inside Zach’s Column 4 The Fantastic Four 4 Dome Rock SWA 5 Davis Ranch 6 Volunteer Treks 9 Wine & Cheese 10 Sasquatches Roam the Park 11 Geocaching 13 Beth 14 Team Coordinators and Staff 15

Design drawing of new facilities MARMOT MESSENGER 4

MANAGER’S MESSAGE The first months preparing for Living History Days, the Marmot Festival During a recent and so much more. meeting, I was asked Every day I pinch myself to ensure this isn't a dream. how long I had been I look out the window and say (out loud to manager of Staunton Raymond) "What a wonderful day this is going to be" State Park and oddly, I I am honored to have the opportunity to say I am the had to stop for a manager of Staunton State Park. moment and think In the column for my introduction, we discussed the about it. opportunity this park presents and it has certainly not "Officially, three fallen short of that. Each day I get to know another months by the end of volunteer, another visitor, another trail, another March." Wow, has it squirrel peaking in the window. In the past three only been three months, I have met an amazing group of people months? I feel like it has been almost a year. whose passion for Staunton is unmatched. The hard Currently, we are in the works to replace Colin as he work each volunteer puts in is recognized by every grows in his career and we are hiring our seasonal work visitor to the park. staff. In addition, we have been working with the As we continue to push into the summer months architects completing designs and the layout of the and begin seeing the masses arrive at the park, nature center, continuing growth of educational remember why you volunteer at Staunton and know activities with local schools, coordinating with the trail that everyone, small, large, furry and feathered crew and the engineer for new trail systems, building appreciates everything you do. the plant books, continuing raptor and wildlife So, let's get outside and have some fun. monitoring programs, branching out into the rock climbing world, beginning cabin restoration projects,

Elk Creek Elementary School Kindergarten Class Claudia, Randie, Mary Beth, and Annie introduced the class to the Fantastic Four super heroes - Sun, Dirt, Water and Air. They taught the kids about their environment and the importance of these elements. Although this was the education team’s last visit to the classroom for this school year, the students will visit the park on May 12 when they can apply first-hand all they’ve learned during the year.

SAVE THE DATES We really need your help for these events too

Living History Days May 16-17 Marmot Fest July 18-19 MARMOT MESSENGER 5

Dome Rock a rare jewel Editor's note: The Marmot Messenger is beginning a new series designed to get volunteers to visit and enjoy Colorado's state parks and wildlife areas. This piece is the first in a series and features Dome Rock State Wildlife Area ~~Nancy Finding Dome Rock State Wildlife Area, south of Divide, was a "why didn't I know about this place before" experience. This place has it all. If you like to hike along a mountain stream with myriads of falls and cascades, or spend time observing wildlife along with beaver dams in a wetland you will want to plan a date with this place. Or maybe you hikes along the creek (near the trailhead) afford enjoy spectacular mountain views of the nearby Pikes beautiful views of rock formations and opportunities Peak system and open meadows filled with wildflowers. to see wildlife. Take a picnic lunch with you because The feature most prominent and which attracted me there are plenty of spectacular spots to stop along the was the rock formations, including massive boulders, trail. rock walls, pinnacles, towers and best of all, the domes, DRWA is restricted to hiking and horseback riding. Rock and Sheep. NO mountain bikes or dogs are allowed. And rock The Pikes Peak granite formations are astounding climbing is prohibited (sorry Zach). In addition, the and reminiscent of our nearby Lost Creek Wilderness entire Rock Dome trail system is closed from Dec. 1- Area. They are what makes this hidden gem unique July 15, as already mentioned. A vault toilet is and well worth the drive. available at the trailhead along with two parking lots. The 6,962 acre area contains a variety of hiking trails, Trail maps can also be downloaded online. some which are closed for part of the year due to Getting there: From Conifer, take County Road 126 bighorn sheep lambing and wintering. But visitors can from Pine Junction to Woodland Park. In Woodland find plenty of areas to hike throughout the year. Park, turn right (west) on U.S. Route 24 and drive to Because the area is more primitive, trails are not as Divide. Turn left on State Route 67 and drive south clearly marked except at junctions. I used a Trails past Mueller State Park. About a mile past the park, Illustrated map with numbered trails to help navigate. turn right onto County Road 61(Four Mile Rd.). Drive about 2 miles and turn off at a Dome Rock SWA Activities besides hiking include fishing, hunting and sign and drive down into the parking areas. the place is a birders' paradise. I saw a variety of species, most of which I could not name. During my decent of Four Mile Overlook Trail, I was able to observe up close a wild turkey. If you are a serious birder, making a visit to Dome Rock is a must. I also encountered mining remnants, skeletons of old cabins including an intact chimney and an earthen dam with small pond in an open meadow. This is a great spot for a picnic or to explore. For good hikers, loop trails to Dome Rock (in season) and Dome Rock overlook are recommended. If you have a day to spend, you can hike into Mueller State Park, which connects to Dome Rock on the north end. Even if you are not a heavy hiker, short MARMOT MESSENGER 6

The Davis Ranch… Gateway to nearly 10 miles to the south. Explorers, trappers, Staunton State Park traders and gold miners also passed through this area, but for the most part, they continued their journey The acquisition of 860 acres of the Davis Ranch in west. 1999 by the State of Colorado using GOCO and lottery Homesteaders began settling the area of the Davis funds enabled the state park system to proceed with Ranch around 140 years ago. George Holdren (1877) planning and development of Colorado’s newest state had two homestead patents totaling 320 acres; G. park. Acreage on both sides of Elk Creek Road was Groth (1895) homesteaded 160 acres. Henry Richards included in this purchase. This land adjoined the (1889) homesteaded 160 acres. Other homesteaders Staunton Ranch on its eastern and southern borders. on Davis Ranch land included W. Dougherty (1882) Much of the Davis Ranch land had been used for with 160 acres, A. Lesser (1896) with 160 acres, and pastures, but the acreage also included a collapsed Charles Hurlbutt (1921) with 80 acres. The old stone portable sawmill, several ponds, and an old stone house on Mason Creek still stands on part of Richards’ house of mysterious origin. Mason Creek, named for land. early homesteader Moses Mason (1904), is a tributary of Elk Creek which meanders near the eastern border of this Davis Ranch portion. A smaller Elk Creek tributary, Jones Creek, flows from the Mountain View Lakes development through the southern portion of the Davis Ranch on the west side of Elk Creek Road. Black Mountain Creek passes through the Staunton Ranch, and then it wanders along the western edge of the Davis Ranch before it joins Elk Creek. Earlier Residents of the Area The Utes were the first residents of this area, dating back to perhaps as long as 13,000 years ago, or at least by the 1400s. They survived by hunting big game and Sen. Francis M. Davis and the Hurlbutts fishing. By 1860, most of the Utes had left the region The Holdren and Dougherty land was owned in 1898 when the US government began settling them on by Francis M. Davis, a Colorado state senator, who was reservations. About all that remains of these earliest no relation to the Davis family of today. Davis was the peoples are some arrow heads, many bent or “Indian” president of the F.M. Davis Iron Works Co. of Denver, trees, and some stories. Don Whetsel, a former a manufacturer of mining machinery. The Tozier foreman of the Davis Ranch, found arrow heads up family owned it next until 1918, when Charles Mason Creek, as well as a 4 inch wide inverted “peace Hurlbutt, his wife and two children purchased their sign” carved into a large moss rock along a rugged trail farm and moved to the Elk Creek Valley. up Mason Creek. (Rex has seen this symbol!) This sign, Charles and Armelia Hurlbutt purchased 640 acres Don was once told, informed other tribes that this was of beautiful ranch land in the Elk Creek Valley from a a “safe trail” and that the various tribes could trade a realtor. They had two young children, including a five little further ahead. A few Utes did remain in the area year old daughter named Catherine. The Hurlbutts and were treated by Dr. Rachael Staunton, who arrived built a large home and several out buildings near the in the Elk Creek Valley in 1918. Dr. Rachael received current Davis Ranch buildings. The Staunton family beadwork and blankets as payment for her services. started building their ranch at the same time, and the It has been reported that as early as 1860, two families got to know each other. It was Dr. immigrants from Norway and Sweden arrived in the Rachael who rode a horse in the middle of the night a Elk Creek Valley and worked as loggers cutting timber few years later to deliver the younger brother of which was used for building cabins, barns and railroads Catherine. that would travel from Denver through Pine Grove, MARMOT MESSENGER 7

feathered creatures at the ranch. One of her first responsibilities as a young child was tending the chickens. She loved to name each one, which made it quite difficult for her mother when she planned a chicken dinner. This interest in birds carried into her adult life; Charles, Armelia and Catherine Hurlbutt, circa 1930 Catherine cared for sick and injured birds in her small

The Hurlbutts also homesteaded 80 acres adjacent home in south Denver and came to be known as to the Staunton Ranch, and then purchased 320 acres “Birdie.” As “the Bird Woman of south Denver,” she to the south and east from Rollo and Lila Shaffer. A was frequently observed driving around in an old taxi house was on this property…. Was this our Stone cab, painted white, with “Bird Taxi” painted on one House??? It may well have been! Rollo’s father was Sam door, and “Bird Ambulance” on the other. She wrote Shaffer of Shaffer’s Crossing. Half of this land had been several books about birds, and she received a 9 Who owned by J.W. Green in 1906, who built the Cares Award for her services in 1985. She passed away mercantile in Buffalo Creek which still stands today. shortly before her 100th birthday. Approximately 100 people with some connection to Catherine attended Catherine Hurlbutt was 13 years younger than her memorial service in 2013. Frances Staunton, but they knew each other. As adults, they became close friends and enjoyed R.T. and Lucy Davis attending operas and travelogues together. Frances Rees T. Davis and his wife Lucy Wilmore Davis were named Catherine as executor of her estate, although from families who owned the Wilmore-Davis Nursery Catherine did not accept that position as she was busy in the Wheat writing about her birds. Ridge area west Charles Hurlbutt overextended himself with the of Denver. Their additional land purchase from the Shaffers. In 1932, it carnation caught up with him, and he lost the ranch. Some business was stories have been told that Hurlbutt lost the ranch in a well-known. poker game; more likely it was lost due to back taxes They acquired and The Great Depression. The Hurlbutt family moved most of the large

to Denver. Rees T. and Lucy Davis became the new ranch in the owners of the 1040 acre ranch, with Elk Creek and its mid-1930s and turned it into one of the larger ranches tributaries Black Mountain Creek, Mason Creek, and in the area. Two large barns which still stand were built Jones Creek meandering through its terrain. in the 1930s-40s. They raised Clydesdale show horses on this ranch. Their son, Melrose, inherited the ranch Catherine dearly loved with his sons in 1955. In the picture above, R.T. and her childhood days on Lucy are shown with identical twin grandsons, Keith her father’s ranch in the and Kent, on their ranch (circa 1940.) Elk Creek Valley. She rode her horse to Melrose Davis and Sons school, trotting up Elk Melrose and his wife, G. Mildred Molholm Davis, had Creek to the road to her three sons- Ron, and identical twins Keith and Kent. school at Pine Junction. They used the ranch mainly as a vacation home. Over The Hurlbutts rented a the years various foremen or caretakers have lived full- room to the teacher, time on the ranch in one of the three homes. Don and who rode along with Charlotte Whetsel were caretakers for about 10 years Catherine to school each during the 1970s-1980s. Don and Char raised their day. For the rest of her long life, Catherine relished children on the ranch, and Don certainly knew every this special time. She developed a true affinity for inch of the land. He took care of the Davis Ponds and MARMOT MESSENGER 8 was the person responsible for preventing a major old small cabin owned by the Baxes.) The much larger flood and damage in May of 1983 when Black section on the east was pasture land used for horses Mountain Creek was and cattle. flooding. He was able The entrance to the park is located in the middle in a to stop a dam from rolling meadow area. Mason Creek runs near the breaking by using a eastern border, tractor to push his then heads daughter’s 1966 Ford southwest to cross Falcon into the dam to Elk Creek Road. provide support. Don and Char were present when the Two areas of old car was unearthed a year ago as part of the Davis historical Ponds restoration. significance in this Keith and Judi Davis section are a collapsed portable sawmill and the Old Over the years, Keith and Judi Davis and their family Stone House on Mason Creek. The recently restored have spent many enjoyable moments hiking around Davis Ponds promise to be a favorite destination for their ranch. They were well aware of the old stone park visitors for many years. house, as well as the small huts up Mason Creek. Judi However, completion and opening of SSP had to has hosted her sewing club at the ranch for years. The wait until the acquisition of the Chase property in Davis Ranch has been in the family for over 80 years order to develop a realistic trail system that allowed now. In 1999, accessibility to the Cabin District, the Old Mill and the Davis family bunkhouse, and the Elk Falls / Lion’s Head area. This had the was accomplished in 2006, with the park finally opportunity to opening in 2013. sell their 1,000+ acre ranch to the One Last Thought… Staunton State Park is made up of a number of State of Colorado for properties that were homesteaded between 1877 and the expansion of Staunton State Park. Keith and Judi 1930. Twenty-one different families or individuals Davis wanted to retain ownership of the Davis Ranch have been identified as homesteaders of 25 properties buildings, which included three homes and two barns. on the Staunton, Elk Falls, and Davis Ranches, and the One home is occupied by current ranch foreman, Chase and Dines properties. As park volunteers and David Buck. The Davis family uses the largest home as staff explore the park, build trails, monitor wildlife, their vacation place, and the third one serves as a guest pull weeds or lead tours, it is possible that some house. Ron and Kent sold the remaining 860 acres to remains of other early homestead cabins might be the state. discovered. Several volunteers have already reported ruins near the maintenance area. Photographs and Gateway to Staunton State Park: The descriptions including approximate location are always Davis Ranch Addition welcome. It is possible that the Stone House was built The acquisition of the Davis property meant that as a homestead cabin, or not…. Staunton State Park then had a realistic place for public entrance to the park, with terrain suitable for parking Written by Bonnie Scudder, author of The Secrets of and camping. This land was located on both sides of Elk Creek: Shaffers Crossing, Staunton State Park, and Beyond. Photos provided by the Hurlbutt and South Elk Creek Road, about 1.5 miles north of Davis families, High Timber Times, SSP website, Shaffers Crossing. The portion on the west side of Elk and Dick Scudder. Creek is not open to public use as it is largely a wetland and serves as a wildlife preserve. (Elk Creek is joined by Jones Creek and Black Mountain Creek, with Mason Creek meeting just south of the ranch near the MARMOT MESSENGER 9 Ted Treks & Gary Meanders in March (participate at your own risk)

Build-a-Bear boot found frozen in the bottom of the falls

MARMOT MESSENGER 10 Wine & Cheese Party

S S Elk Creek Road

Buck snort

Hwy 285 Reynolds Park

Pine

American Gothic American

Looking for raptors – up and down

MARMOT MESSENGER 11

Hikers are startled by unusual sounds in Staunton State Park Report # 46805 Follow-up investigation report by ace BFRO from the BFRO files investigator: DATE: 10/11/2014 I spoke at length with the witness by phone. He was able LOCATION DETAILS: Staunton State Park to clearly describe the incident and the surrounding terrain and other incidentals. OBSERVED: My girlfriend and I were on a short hike 2 weeks ago in Staunton State Park, in between Bailey While Staunton State Park is a very heavily utilized and Conifer, CO. We chose a route which would have area, with hundreds of visitors during the time that this less people, as I'd hiked the other routes in the park encounter happened, the area that the witness and his previously. After hiking uphill along a stream for about girlfriend were located was in the far reaches of the an hour, we saw a rocky outcropping and hiked off-trail park, close to the boundary with the Mount Evans briefly to check out the view. Wilderness Area, and close to an area with a couple of Class A sightings including Report #45666 and Report It was very quiet out with little wind movement. There #7225, and within 3 miles of a winter track-line that I were no clouds in the sky and the temperature was in the witnessed personally. mid-50s. Time of day was approximately noon MST. I am planning to return to the exact location with the We sat in the sun on the outcropping for about 10 witness sometime in January to map the location and minutes very quietly, enjoying the view and the weather. terrain in detail. I am very familiar with the Mt. Evans We looked down below the cliff and noticed a Wilderness and Arapahoe Forest area adjacent to the gentleman riding a mountain bike quickly up the path park, and will be spending time this winter snowshoeing with headphones in. As we watched, we heard a very the area. low growl which sounded like a startled exhalation - This incident is obviously interesting because of the "Grrrrrrphhhh," followed immediately by a very different, higher-pitched "Whoooooooop." The combination of sounds that were witnessed. The first mountain biker seemed to hear nothing, as the vocalization - the cough/bark, is a commonly described sound that could be made by anything from a black bear headphones must have been too loud. The two noises came from the same direction, approximately 30-40 to a moose, elk or other ungulate. But, none of these yards below us on the outcropping through thick forest. animals would also emit a whooping sound immediately after, and rock clacking sounds were heard as well by We were unable to see any animals, but the sounds were very clear and definitely came from the same animal. the witnesses’ girlfriend. The animal definitely sounded startled by the fast- In my opinion, this incident may represent a warning to moving biker. other Sasquatches in the area that the mountain biker My girlfriend's eyes got very wide, and she whispered to was approaching. me that she had no idea what kind of animal made that noise. I responded that she'd say I'm crazy, but that only I BELIEVE primates make the "whoop" noise. We climbed down And who doesn’t ? After all, this is straight from the from the outcropping a few minutes later and searched for whatever made the noise, but were unable to find Bigfoot Field Research Organization. Clearly this was a anything, nor heard any more sounds. We definitely did bigfoot encounter and the "Whoooooooop" (which can not feel threatened in any way. only be made by primates) was an obvious warning.to other Sasquatches. What else can that mean but that there

is a whole herd of Sasquatches running amok in the park. Report #46805 was a Class B sighting. Class B means we think it B a Sasquatch. Class A means it is A Sasquatch. The aforementioned Class A reports are of the utmost Bigfoot Field Research Organization credibility. One of the observers astutely noted that the Sasquatch they saw was definitely not a polar bear because Note: The Marmot Messenger would like to thank Ted there are only black bears in Colorado. Hammon for bringing to our attention the existence of But what about Staunton volunteer encounters ? the BFRO and the Staunton sighting report #46805. MARMOT MESSENGER 12

More Evidence On the morning of the March Ted Trek, bigfoot tracks Bigfoot tracks were spotted in the snow along SR trail not far from photographed by Staunton Rocks. Later that same morning volunteers Carol Samberg Gabrielle and her trusty dog Ponderosa reported that they (who you know heard a very loud crashing type noise near Staunton you can trust) Rocks. Ponderosa also reported what he thought was a whooooop sound. Tracks were again spotted during Gary’s volunteer hike. A mere coincidence ? And yet another Class A sighting in Conifer.

What did they hear ? Clearly this balloon found along Scout Line Trail by Nancy saw something shocking.

Staunton Sasquatch Team

RAYMOND

No Raymond! When a hiker goes by I make the whoooop sound and you make the grrrrphhhh sound. Oh, and I’m just a lowly I’m the primate rodent. Is that what remember. you’re implying?

Ted points to what he thinks is a Sasquatch or maybe a squirrel. John, Bill and Rex clearly look on in astonishment. Randie is obviously a skeptic and not so easily impressed. MARMOT MESSENGER 13

Geocaching Progress Profile" which is placed in a piece of aspen truck near the northern DP trail. The fourth, planned for April, is After review of the relatively low participation of the a model airplane hanging in a tree in the vicinity of geocaching community with the several geocaches Davis Ponds, which is called "Fly Fisher", and highlights that were placed previously in the Park, including the the belted kingfisher. "Harvey Seen at Chase Cabin" and "Frances sings

Opera" mystery caches, the Geocaching team presented a plan to increase the SSP geocache population to see if there was resistance to the Park vehicle entry fee, and this was limiting the geocaching visitors. The postulated theory was that if SSP had more geocaches, the concern about paying for access could be overcome, with higher visitation. So, a plan was prepared and approved by Park Management in

December to place additional geocaches in the Park during the winter months in preparation for the high The earth cache is called "Granite Mushroom Rock" visitation season in 2015. This included four and is on a hillside east of Mason Creek. The earth traditional caches (with a physical container). Also an science lesson involves how granite decomposes over idea was developed for the first SSP earth cache, which time, and shows how this process is accelerated in the is a non-physical location where an earth science can zone between the ground surface and the water table. be experienced. The four new caches were all designed to be relatively close to the parking areas to appeal to all fitness levels. They are designed to be relatively easy to find from the GPS coordinates, so that damage due to searches would be minimal. The first in January was

"Abert's Squirrel" near the horse trailer parking lot. The second in February is "Historical Cabins of the

Staunton Rural Historical Landscape" which involves a After this plan is implemented, the Geocaching team model cabin that contains the GPS coordinates of all will monitor the activity during the summer season to the historical structures within the designated see if having more geocaches in the Park has the Historical listing. The third in March is "Aspen Tree desired visitation impact from the geocaching community. The team will also focus on three more earth caches in the next several years, highlighting Staunton Rocks (with possible focus on how the geology impacts the rock climbing community), the possible change in path of Elk Falls and the fault along Mason Creek canyon with different rock masses on each side.

~~ Jack Darnell

MARMOT MESSENGER 14

Dickman's beauty more than through some rough things in the past few months and everyone has been so supportive and helpful." She skin deep added she could not ask to be in a better place. She makes her own beauty products and attended Dickman hopes the job leads to a full time position. culinary school, but Beth Dickman's heart is in the "My goal is to stay in Parks and Recreation. It's been a outdoors. dream of mine to work (in Parks and Rec) for many Beth was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she lived years," she said. with her mother Jane and older sister Brenna. She The outdoors are a draw for Beth. She loves all kinds attended catholic elementary school through the of sports including hiking and swimming. She also eighth grade before attending public high school. likes to paddle board and ski. When she is not "After high school, I went straight into working in outdoors, Dickman enjoys reading, cooking and the mortgage industry for about 13 years," she said. working crafts. But Dickman wanted to attend college and decided to "I make my own beauty products that are all natural go to Minneapolis Community and Technical College and/or organic and environmentally friendly," she (MCTC) and later Colorado Mountain College to said. study the culinary arts. After school, she worked as an During her internship, Beth has been living in Elk Falls Cabin, which, she says, has been "one great experience in winter." Her adventure has included dealing with freezing pipes, having to shovel off the roof after a snowfall and battling the mice. In the future, Beth hopes to spend more time with the new friends she has made at Staunton "whether in or out of the park."

assistant manager at City Market in Breckenridge. Beth's love for the outdoors led her to apply for the job as the park ranger intern at Staunton. After she moved to Littleton, a friend put her on to the job. She sent a resume to Dave Stigall after her friend gave him a tip about Beth. "I got an interview and a few days later got a call from Jen," she remembers. Beth thought the call would be bad news but was surprised to learn she was offered the job. Visitors and volunteers will often see Dickman at the entrance station selling passes and giving helpful information. "I love being at Staunton. The people I interact with on a daily basis are amazing," she said. "I was going MARMOT MESSENGER 15

Volunteer Team Coordinators

Education: Claudia Gunn – [email protected] Fencing: Susan Festag – [email protected] Wayne Parkinson – [email protected]

Chainsaw: Scott Aaronson – [email protected] Ted Hammon - [email protected] Newsletter: Nancy Coburn – [email protected] Elaine Rideout – [email protected] Small Construction: Ed Samberg – [email protected] Jack Gunn - [email protected]

Trails: Gary Sims – [email protected] Plants: Jack Darnell – [email protected] Deborah Darnell – [email protected] Raptor Monitoring: Richard Prickett – [email protected] Wildlife: Ron LaLone - [email protected] Elaine Rideout – [email protected] Park History: Bonnie Scudder - [email protected] Deborah Darnell – [email protected] Rock Climbing: Dave Montgomery - [email protected] Entrance/Office: Susan Anders - [email protected] Susan Festag – [email protected] Trail Host: Sally Parkinson - [email protected] Wayne Parkinson – [email protected] Weed Warriors: Mark Fisher - [email protected] Patty Warnick - [email protected] Scouts/Eagle Scouts: Randie Boldra - [email protected] Mark Fisher - [email protected] Ron LaLone - [email protected] Gary Finley - [email protected] Geocache: Jack Darnell – [email protected] Parking: Ted Hammon - [email protected] Newsletter Team: Staunton State Park Staff Nancy Coburn Bonnie Scudder Zach Taylor Park Manager Dave Stigall Park Resource Technician Elaine Rideout

Beth Dickman Seasonal Intern Marmot Mascot Designer: Meagan Webber

Special Thanks to Zach Taylor

www.parks.state.co.us