Page 4 - Basalt Mountain News Today

The Basalt-based Roaring Fork Conservancy celebrated its 25th anniversary this month. The changes wrought by climate change mean the conservancy will have plenty of issues to work on in the next 25 years.

My hiking partner Margaret and I tackled the foreboding landscape of Basalt Mountain last week. A burn scar some would say, an iconic valley landmark left bereft of trees and green.

Staff reports Flash flood warnings were issued Tuesday afternoon for wildfire burn scars in the Roaring Fork Valley and Glenwood Canyon but passed without much concern. A flash flood warning was been issued for the Basalt Mountain and Lake Christine Fire burn area and expired at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Basalt Police Chief Greg Knott said that as of 4:35 p.m. there were no flooding or mudslide issues in the Basalt area. Only light rain fell on the Lake Christine burn scar in the El Jebel-Willits area...

Staff reports Planned street closures in Aspen for the 2021 annual Old Fashioned Fourth of July Parade, which this year will be stationary with the crowds walk along the closed streets. Image from City of Aspen The 2021 edition of Aspen’s Fourth of July festivities comes with a big twist with the “stationary parade.“ The annual children’s bike parade is on, but the decorating location this year is in Wagner Park. The “parade” is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and streets in downtown Aspe...

Hunter Creek is an unhidden treasure. The observation deck overlooking town from Smuggler Mountain is a reference point necessary for reminding us why we chose this place. The jog or hike up Housewife Hill is…

Dear Summer Visitors,

It was just dinner. And yet it was everything, I think, to all of us. A couple of weeks ago, my parents and I convened at my brother’s place in Los Angeles to celebrate his birthday. My folks flew in separately from New England. When I arrived on May 22, it had been 16 months and 3 weeks since I last saw them, two days after Christmas 2019. That’s 512 days without face time with my folks. (Or FaceTime, since neither of my parents have cellphones capable of that—and happily so.) I picked a...

Basalt High School graduating senior Tyler Sims and his mother Carrey Sims stand outside of the home they both grew up in at their family’s original homestead in Basalt on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. Tyler is the 6th generation of his family with ties to Basalt. (Kelsey Brunner/The Aspen Times) Basalt High School graduating senior Tyler Sims stands outside of his childhood home in Basalt on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. Tyler is the 6th generation of his family with ties to Basalt. (Kelsey Brunner/Th...

Many roads and trails in the White River National Forest will open for the summer on Friday, but be aware that some routes will remain closed longer in protected areas.

There are countless shining examples year-round of Roaring Fork Valley residents taking action to benefit the environment. Aspen Center for Environmental Studies and Roaring Fork Conservancy have outstanding educational programs to nurture a connection with nature among students. Aspen Valley Land Trust works with ranchers and other landowners to conserve vistas and sensitive lands from development. Wilderness Workshop fights to protect the most important unspoiled lands for people and wildlife...