Devils canyon will be late to open (Rock Removal)

[Brad]

I was CC'd on a email from Brant the ranger for Clear Creek and he stated there is a large rock in the middle of the trail, he is working on a solution to remove it and stated it cannot simply be rolled down the hill. Just wanted to give a heads up in case anyone is thinking of running it this weekend.

[Patrolman]

Did he happen to send you a photo of the rock? Depending on the size, we may be able to move it.

[Jim]

Depending on the size, we may be able to move it.

That's the IDEA!!!

(or a hammer drill and TNT...)

[96EXXLTinCO]

or a hammer drill and TNT

I'm comin to eat at your house cuz I like what you got cookin!!

[dieseldoc]

To bad blowing things up is fround upon.
We had to blow up some rocks in saint George.
Boy that caused a big mess!

Fun for sure.

[Hypoid]

Maybe roll it uphill. Question is, does it have to be completely off the road?

[Hypoid]

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee120/Hypoid/Saxon/338462ca.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee120/Hypoid/Saxon/3e4951f6.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee120/Hypoid/Saxon/2da3bc84.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee120/Hypoid/Saxon/757af171.jpg

[Patrolman]

I was envisioning something the size of a car or truck to begin with. That rock isn't too bad, so the idea of moving it with equipment isn't bad. It seems small enough that it could be at least moved off to either side so the trail is open, and not have it go down the hill.

[fredrok]

Just give the ranger Mike's number!

[Jim]

Looks like one roll would take it enough to the edge to suffice (that would be a fun project to tackle).

What's downhill from that spot (should the boulder keep rolling)?

[dieseldoc]

Holly crap!

Looks like so trail side enginering need be done!

[Chris]

Yiu guys are forgetting the FS liability views - they won't let us move it for that reason.

Doesn't mean we can't.

[Brad]

Hey Chad,
Just wanted to let you know that Devils Canyon will NOT be opening as schedule due to a HUGE rock in the road. I will send you photos asap. I went to check out and open on Tuesday and made it about 1 mile from the gate only to find the road mostly blocked by one huge rock.

We will need to devise a plan to move or destroy the rock but in the mean time we cannot open the road to the public. If you want to walk up to check it out feel free, but you can’t drive up(unless we meet and I take you up there) I would be happy to meet a couple of you and go up there to check it out…maybe together we can come up with a plan to get it out of there. Let me know…
The Rock is approx. 4 ft x 5ft….it will take BIG equipment(we don’t have any) or some clever planning and work to move it…and NOT have it free fall roll down the hill(although that would be fun to watch…)


He was planning on including some of us in the process.

[Jim]

Doesn't mean we can't.

You know it!

I realize they don't want it moved on cleanup day, and they can't say "yes" (give their blessing) any other day - due to liability - but on any day other any member of the public should be able to visit a public lands and tend the task. Any mishap would be the legal responsibility of the person(s) involved - not the FS. As I understand things / would like to see things.

[Chris]

:thumb:

[Jim]

`just re-read the FS note to Chad - the trail's closed and they won't open the gate with the rock on the trail. Hummmmph. They should simply open the gate for the trail as-is (and let nature to continue being natural).

[dieseldoc]

Can't let nature be nature....that would make sense

[Chris]

Nature would win.

[Hypoid]

Yiu guys are forgetting the FS liability views - they won't let us move it for that reason. After re-reading the email, he is asking for ideas in general:


Please pass on photos and info to the 4x4 world, in whatever way you can, about the delayed opening. We can work on a plan in the meantime and hopefully get the rock moved asap.
Let me know if you have any questions or possible solutions. Thanks.

[newracer]

Hard to tell from the pictures but it appears that there isn't a good anchor point uphill of the rock. If there was it could simply be winched to the side of the trail.

[Jim]

From the pix, I'd vote for a 90degree rotate to the downhill side of the trail. That seems to offer ample space for full width's. The question is what is downhill from the rock / what danger is there should it move downhill out of control.

[96EXXLTinCO]

Lots of questions still. I'll be in the area on a run today and will try and make it over there to take a look and get some better pics of the situation. I have some questions in an email sent to Brant but I don't expect an answer till tomorrow at the earliest. Worst case scenario we may need to source a generator and small electric jackhammer and just break it down.

I'll report back whatever I come up with when I come up with it. Is anyone available during the week if we can get a plan together for this thing? winches, come-alongs, straps, hi-lifts are things that could help.

[Java]

I can work out some time during the week, possibly, sounds like fun. I have a winch, come-along, straps and a highlift.

[dieseldoc]

Sounds like work!
The FS won't want us to bust it up.
Moving it is the option they will prefer.

[Spieg]

Seriously? The trail is closed because of this? Maybe the photos are deceiving but it sure looks like you could simply drive around it. I vote for explosives!
http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43718&stc=1&d=1466280036

[Chris]

Stay the Trail, right? Go over obstacles, not around.

[Spieg]

Go over obstacles, not around.

I'm gonna need more lift...:thumb:

[Brad]

Work during the week or I would help. Let me know if I can help otherwise.

[Java]

I saw an episode of This Old House where they had to get rid of an old concrete staircase / landing that was huge and heavy. A backloader dug a hole in a few seconds, knocked it in, and dragged the dirt back over, gone. Tom Silva was thrilled. Just a thought.

[96EXXLTinCO]

Well, in true form........plans got messed up at the last minute yesterday and we didn't go on the run by Idaho Springs, so I didn't make it over to check out the rock and get better pics of the situation. He says the rock is about a mile in and anyone who's done that trail knows that that's all uphill. I'm no spring chicken these days so I'm going to try and find a day when Brant can meet me there so we can drive up and look at it................unless someone has a drone with camera they want to go play with?

While I absolutely agree that 1ft. off trail to the right gets you around it, the bottom line is that the decision was made to keep the trail closed until the rock can be moved, and our roll in the situation is to uphold said decision and help in any manner needed or requested. I have no problem doing whatever it takes, especially if we can get this trail opened sooner rather than later.

I'll update again when I have more info.

Chad

[Patrolman]

Worst case scenario we may need to source a generator and small electric jackhammer and just break it down.

I actually have a large generator and an electric jack hammer. It might be a large job to do, but it would eventually dismantle it.

[JGRubicon]

How about 5 guys dig a hole, push the rock into it, back fill a little and bam small trailside obstacle that isn't going anywhere?

Well, that's a good enough idea, but might make grading the trail hard... I don't know how they do that.

That's a pretty stout "rock".:lmao:

[newracer]

How about 5 guys dig a hole, push the rock into it, back fill a little and bam small trailside obstacle that isn't going anywhere?

Well, that's a good enough idea, but might make grading the trail hard... I don't know how they do that.

That's a pretty stout "rock".:lmao:

Best idea yet. :thumb:

[Fireball]

I was heading there today to camp. Looks like I'm screwed :(

[Fireball]

Just off the phone with the ranger station. I was told the boulder is not scheduled to be removed this year and Devil's Canyon will be walk-in only. The gate will remain closed.

Someone please reach out to them and see if we can get in there to move the boulder for them. Otherwise we just lost a trail for at least a year.

I'm going to try Barbour by myself today and do some camping.

[KnuckleHead]

If we can get in during the week to work on whatever the plan is when there is one i can help... im not currently working due to a shoulder injury so im good to do what i can during the week...

[96EXXLTinCO]

There's 2 discussions going on with this. Here's what I just posted in the other thread:

I've been emailing with our Forest Service contact Brant, and he's not indicated any such thing to me so far, in fact quite the opposite. He says that a neighboring district has some............micro-blaster? thing that he's trying to schedule to take care of this rock. I've told him we have a ton of resources in this group alone, let alone other groups and facebook pages I'm a member of. They are limited in tools and equipment, only having a skid steer for available equipment which will not touch this rock as it is. One of the issues I have learned is the location of the rock. He said it's about a mile in and the reason it can't be rolled off the downhill side is that if the trees can't manage to stop this thing it could potentially end up on the highway. I offered to get 4 winched rigs up there, 2 on each side of the rock (if there's anything uphill to hook a couple snatch blocks to) hooked to the rock with the other 2 to act as anchors and pull it back to the uphill side where a hole dug out could help secure it there. Of course if it was up to me I'd load up the "howitzer" they use to set off potential avalanche areas and turn it into gravel. He's says he will keep me informed of any plans with it and if I don't hear anything more by end of next week or so I'll reach out to him again. Not sure why they would say it's staying closed this year. Anyone else have any ideas, or access to equipment/tools that might be of use to break this thing down to a skid steer manageable size? Or equipment that could help in breaking it down or moving it? I'm sure if we could offer a solid solution they would let us take care of it.

[Jim]

Thanks for that - I was curious about why it couldn't be rolled down slope.

Electric jackhammer or rent an air compressor style and break it up into small bits that way? I'd get involved on that.

[Brad]

I agree, jackhammer would do the trick.

[Patrolman]

If they have access to a skid steer, why not use a jackhammer attachment on the front of it to break it apart? This thing could be in pieces in minutes. My electric jackhammer could do the job, but it would take a while. It also weighs about 50lbs and you wouldn't want to hike it in, not to mention the need for the generator which weighs well over 100lbs.

[newracer]

Call me pessimistic but I think some of you are underestimating the durability of that boulder. I don't think a hand held jackhammer will do they job. I think the skid mounted jackhammer might work but it will still take some time.

[Patrolman]

I am of the same opinion. My electric jackhammer might take an entire day to dismantle it into smaller chunks. It could be an option, but I figure it should be of last resort.

[javaman34]

Just put a strap around it and pull it out of the way.:thumb:

[Spieg]

Wonder how hard it would be to make something like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_kKRNBpuh4

[Brad]

Any update on this Chad?

[Java]

CCRD page still says closed http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5292500

[96EXXLTinCO]

I've got an email in to Brant but it always takes a day or two to hear back. Judging from past email exchanges I expect to see something today or tomorrow and will update as soon as I do.

[Jim]

Construction site air compressor and one or two jack hammers?

[96EXXLTinCO]

Got an email back. Good news is the rock is going to get blasted. Bad news is it's not for a couple more weeks, so we only have Barbour to worry about this weekend. I know some were wanting to run Devil's due to it being a little easier, but if it puts your mind at ease at all, my 96 Explorer with only 1.5" lift and 31's made it with only a couple little bumps underneath, and this time I'm bringing the 94 Explorer Sport with the same lift and tire size. I'm not worried about it one bit. It looks more daunting than it actually is.

Here is the email I got back from Brant:

"We have it planned to remove but it will be a couple more weeks. Blaster and crew is tough to schedule…be patient. Focus on the Barbour Fork side for this clean up.
Sorry for the delays but the boss wants this done in house so we don’t have to worry about volunteers getting hurt etc."

I get it, but still frustrating, and I'll leave it at that. Anyone who absolutely does not want to drive Barbour, I'm sure we could find a few open seats if you'd still like to ride along and participate. It really is a fun trail the more help we have, the easier and quicker it will all get done. Then maybe hit another trail in the area?? I'd love to sneak up the backside of Saxon. Great view from up there and I helped put in the cell towers at the top 20 some years ago, haven't been back up there since.

[Jim]

Thanks for the update. Overall, great news (don't get bummed by two weeks...)!!

[Brad]

Great to hear!
Unfortunately I have to sit out this clean up (first one in years) as I have a rear driveshaft issue and had something come up with my family this weekend. Once I get my rig sorted and Devils is open I will run up there just so I don't miss out! :thumb:

Rear arm driveshaft carrier bearing bushing cracked:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/LR3%20build/513D9EEB-D1D2-42CD-B258-4B16F37200E9.jpg

[96EXXLTinCO]

That's just how these things go Brad, we'll miss you, but hey, there's a couple clean ups per year!!

[FINOCJ]

If I ever get my jeep back up and running - and there is hope that I will - I will be first to volunteer for a separate DC clean-up run when it opens. Thanks for keeping up with the FS on our adopt-a-trails.

Edit- looks like Brad already was first to volunteer - so I'll join you.

[Brad]

I will be in as soon as I get it fixed! Looks like I have a trip to Bills englewood driveshaft in my near future.

[96EXXLTinCO]

We'll start planning a DC clean-up as soon as I get word that rock is gone.

[Mark]

We'll start planning a DC clean-up as soon as I get word that rock is gone.
Will be glad to help on Devils canyon couldn't make Barbour but did d/c last year just let me know

[Jackie]

I'll be in on DC if I don't have to work. If I know the date in advance, I can request-off.

[96EXXLTinCO]

Wonderful Jackie!! As soon as I have an opening date, or receive word that it's open, I will start another thread and maybe a 2-3 day poll on dates, so hopefully we can get a date locked down quickly and get you enough notice to request it off.

[The StRanger]

Id love to join the DC run. But well have to see where we are at by then.

[Jackie]

I could be wrong, but considering it has been closed for a while now, I wouldn't anticipate too much litter and damage, but one never knows what we will find. I'm not able to walk too much on uneven terrain since my broken foot is still healing, but I can pop-a -squat at fire pits and dig them out just fine! (Brass and glass - UGH)! Now, if we can keep the fires away, I can see this happening!!!

[96EXXLTinCO]

Even if you just come along for the ride, more company is always welcome. No need to do more than what is comfortable.

[marksnow48]

I still like the idea of the Boulder Buster. Found it online (of course) for a paltry $4200 plus add-ons. Anyone feeling generous? I'm sure the FS would LOVE this tool on their side!

http://maystrailequipment.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=25

I've got a ten spot...

[96EXXLTinCO]

Was considering delaying this clean up run due to wheather, but all the weather sites say we're ok till afternoon. I'll see everyone at the Ranger Station at 9.