HELPING THE ELDORADO NATIONAL FOREST SERVE THE PUBLIC

MAINTAINING THE STATION

;Even though the Information Station is essentially finished, we must still perform maintenance on it to keep it up to our standard.           Often maintaining the building has required that we dig it out of the snow that has accumulated on and around it before we can open for the summer.   During the winter of 1993 - 1994, we had to Dig It Out of the snow to keep it from being pushed off plumb again.           Opening Carson Pass usually begins in April or early May when an inspection trip is made to assess the winter's ravages.   Even in a mild winter there will be some external damage.   This usually consists of broken wood and is easily repaired.   Actual opening involves the following: Removal of any remaining snow and ice from the porch, walkways, and around the windows. Remove the internal cross-bracing and store the timbers outside. Remove the winter shutters from the second floor windows. Clean the interior. Inspect the under floor area of the cabin for damage. Rearrange the contents for summer operation.   This is necessary because the building is used by the Nordic Ski Patrol during the winter to store their emergency equipment and as a place to stay overnight when on patrol. Prepare the propane stove for summer operation. Put up all appropriate signs. Make everything operational. Clearing away the winter debris from around the building. Anything else that needs fixing before the season starts.           After the cabin is open there is also much to be done.   The cabin needs to be stained every second or third year. (The outside was last stained in October of 2000.)   Every ten years the threaded rod, stiffeners and tie downs must be inspected and adjusted as needed.   That will be done during the summer of 2001.           Closing the station is the reverse of opening.

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ENFIA -- THE ELDORADO NATIONAL FOREST INTERPRETIVE ASSOCIATION