Getting iced

Getting iced
Just like video killed the radio star, social media has put a hurtin’ on Silverton’s spectacular Ice Lakes Trail. One of the most popular – and most FBed and Insta-ed – trails in the San Juan Mountains, Ice Lakes is seeing even more unprecedented numbers of visitors this summer with the pandemic. To help keep the area from being loved to death, San Juan Mountains Association is seeking volunteers to help staff its Ice Lakes Educational Basecamp to provide educational outreach and encourage visitors to stay on designated trails, pack-out all waste and respect fire restrictions.

Volunteers are needed six days a week, Tues. – Sat., from 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the basecamp, located at the South Mineral Creek Campground, a few miles north of Silverton. The basecamp will be open July 28 – Sept. 7.
There will be an outdoors training for interested volunteers this Thurs., July 23, at 6 p.m. at the Durango Public Lands Center (15 Burnett Ct.) To register, email: psherman@sjma.org .

And if you happen to visit Ice Lakes this summer, please, turn off your geotagging.

A grate idea
 “The Human Cheese Grater” may sound like the latest horror movie, amusement park ride or extreme beauty treatment. But, it is actually CDOT and the Colorado State Patrol’s latest invention to help save lives. Fortunately it’s not a real grater but one made of paint, placed on roads at various Front Range motorcycle dealerships as a somewhat grisly reminder to slow down, wear protective gear and receive training.

Although the human cheese grater lacks real teeth, motorcycle statistics don’t. According to CDOT/CSP, motorcyclist fatalities increased more than 32 percent from 2011-19. In 2019, there were 103 motorcyclists killed on Colorado roads, accounting for 17 percent of all roadway deaths even though motorcycles make up only 3 percent of vehicles on the road. So far this year, 64 people have died in motorcycle crashes.
"Year after year, approximately 75 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes are caused by the motorcycle rider," State Patrol Major Tim Keeton said.

Proper gear includes boots over the ankles, riding pants and jacket, gloves, eye protection and a helmet. And this should go without saying, but don’t drink and ride – even one drink has been shown to decrease reaction times, coordination, vision, judgement and concentration.