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The Marmot Messenger STAUNTON STATE PARK

VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER MAY – JUNE 2016 VOLUME 5 ISSUE 3

What’s Inside

Sasquatch: Fact or Fiction? 2

The Marmot Enquirer 4

Zach’s column 5

Give in to your dark side 6

Migratory Bird Treaty centennial 1916-2016 7

Busy season ahead for the park 9

The park taketh away 10

Mushrooms – not just for smoking anymore 11

Eldorado Canyon 12

Mysteries and Secrets of the Elk Creek Valley 14

Spring Fling 16

Best in show 17

Getting to Know You 18

Team Coordinators and Staff 20

The Real Story

International Dawn Chorus Day is the worldwide celebration of nature’s symphony. The annual Dawn Chorus observance at Evergreen Lake will be Sunday, May 15, at 6 a.m. Or simply step outside your house. If for just one day, rise with the birds, get outside and experience the wonders of the many voices of your local wildlife.

This year is also the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty. In 2016, International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) will focus on how birds have inspired many of the most significant environmental conservation actions in the Americas. It promotes the recognition of the ability of citizens in every country to support programs and laws that protect birds and their habitats, including this landmark treaty that, for the last century, has protected nearly all migratory bird species in the U.S. and Canada. While International Migratory Bird day is typically held on the second Saturday in May (May 14 in 2016), any day can be a day of celebration.

The name "peregrine" means wanderer, and the Peregrine Falcon has one of the longest migrations of any North American bird. Tundra-nesting falcons winter in South America, and may move 15,500 miles in a year.

Help give all birds a fighting chance in a changing world and protect them and the places they call home.

Nuthatches get their common name from their habit of wedging large nuts into tree bark, then smacking them with their sharp bill to “hatch” out the seed from the inside. They often traverse tree trunks sideways and upside down as they forage.

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Sasquatch: Fact or Fiction? Has Sasquatch really been seen in Staunton State Park? According to SSP Manager Zach Taylor about six park visitors

have reported seeing or hearing “something” they believed might have been “Bigfoot” while visiting the park. On

Saturday, March 11, Jim Myers spoke to approximately 40 SSP volunteers and staff about Sasquatch, or “Bigfoot.”

Jim and his wife, Daphne, own and operate the Sasquatch Outpost in Bailey.

Nearly three years ago, the Myers family moved into the upstairs of the Bailey

Country Store and spent nine months

restoring this building, which had been

built in 1878. They opened the store

and sold food items, souvenirs and local

books, as well as Sasquatch-related items. The building now functions as an

outpost and soon will host the Sasquatch Encounter Museum, which opened

in April 2016. (Identify yourself as an SSP Volunteer for free admission)

According to Myers, every state in the continental USA has reported Bigfoot

sightings. The most sightings have been in the East, West and in the Colorado

areas. In addition, every continent (except Antarctica) has reported strange

occurrences relating to large hairy creatures that walk on two feet. Every Native

American tribe, according to Myers, has a name for Bigfoot, and stories about

this creature have been handed down for centuries. While these stories are

shared and handed down in Native American cultures, in other cultures such

sightings are usually kept secret for fear of ridicule.

Myers presented several maps that displayed the distribution of local sightings, indicating that Sasquatch has been seen

near Lion’s Head, Shaffers Crossing and Pine Junction.

Sasquatches are said to make quite a bit of noise, such as shaking or rattling trees,

clattering and throwing rocks. They are said to be quite tall—seven to nine feet tall,

covered with dark furry hair, and with enormous feet. They have always been

observed standing upright on two feet. Myers believes that Sasquatches are highly

intelligent and have exceptional hearing. They have been known to run very fast, can

easily run up steep hills and can have strides as long as 12

feet.

A female Sasquatch has been observed as well. Skeptics

claimed it was a human dressed in a furry gorilla suit.

These claims go back to the 1960s. Experts in costuming

have reported that the technology was not available at

that time to create such an elaborate costume. This creature was photographed running,

with two large bouncing breasts. Her legs had a tendon flex, hollows behind the knees,

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and visible calf muscle. Her forearms were very long. Experts concurred that it was not possible that this was a human

in a costume.

Prints of possible adult and baby Sasquatch have been seen near Wellington Lake.

Trees bent in unusual ways have been found in areas near Sasquatch sightings.

Aspen trees have been found broken in half,

with several in one area, then a fair distance

away, more of the same. Other trees have been

found mysteriously turned upside down with

roots pointing in the air and positioned against

another tree. Star-type arrangements of trees

70-80 feet long have also been found. Some

may claim that weird wind patterns caused these

trees to end up in strange positions; Sasquatch

believers, however, believe that these super-powerful and very large creatures are

responsible. Some PHds and other scientists have been involved in Sasquatch

research over the years. Attempts at DNA testing of Sasquatches, according to

Myers, has shown that Sasquatches may be part human. Mitochondrial DNA (female) indicated human origin, while

Nuclear (male) DNA is of unknown origin. It is surmised that Sasquatches are some sort of human hybrids.

Myers thinks that Sasquatches may live in caves or in large nests. (He does not think they have any connection to old

stone houses.) They may communicate at a lower frequency, thus humans would not be able to hear them. Several

reports of Sasquatch activity have been by campers who have heard strange sounds at night. One reported that this

creature stuck his head inside the tent. One observer in the SSP area was so frightened, he ran to Elk Creek Road, then

all the way to Shaffers Crossing. Apparently, there have been multiple sightings of Bigfoot in many areas near SSP.

What do you think?

Visit sasquatchoutpost.com for more information and for location and store hours.

Pictures from sasquatchoutpost.com, Wikipedia, Dick Scudder, Article written by Bonnie Scudder with Deborah Darnell.

Don’t forget to tune in next time for a special announcement about UFO sightings in SSP.

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Yes, these are actual photos of Sasquatches in the park attempting to disguise themselves in human clothing. Their fur is still clearly visible.

DNA samples from this Conifer

Sasquatch scat were sent to a lab in Kazakhstan and

positively confirmed as a unique human

animal cross breed.

Many Sasquatch photos are blurry. That’s because of the Sasquatch aura that disrupts the molecules in the camera.

THE MARMOT

.

It was revealed that Sasquatch eat almost any meat including marmots. This photo plainly shows one that captured multiple marmots, which most likely became dinner.

“There is no other explanation”

The more you drink the more you believe

S T A U N T O N ’ S E X T R E M E N E W L E T T E R

Ted provided undeniable logic as to their existence

What, they eat marmots! Bring it Squatch.

Hey, if you would have told me years

ago that there would be a little pill that would

result in an erection I

wouldn’t have believed it. So I just have to be open minded

about the existence of

Bigfoot.

Sasquatch love me. I can shoot

one and they will still

support me

From Sasquatch Watch Radio, a podcast about bigfoot research: Radio guest “Fred believes bigfoot are aliens and have the ability to travel to other dimensions. The host of the show however, does not think bigfoot is an alien or has these abilities. Two differing opinions and neither can be proven. What do you think happens? Watch out for flying mud.”

The red circle phenomena that appears in many of the bigfoot photos is unexplained.

From a Prince Edward Island video. Yikes, you better be able to run.

While vacationing in Oregon, Keith took this photo of a bigfoot who reportedly was on his way to visit his girlfriend. No photo of the girlfriend was provided.

They got the band back together.

Broken and bent trees are indicative of their anger management problems.

And who doesn’t

recognize this Sasquatch?

The Colorado Avalanche believe

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MANAGER’S MESSAGE So the majority can experience Staunton

Over the last couple weeks as I contemplated what to write, I struggled. It's been 18 months since I became park manager at Staunton and things have changed dramatically,,, some for good and some not so good.

Today I reached out to my favorite author Edward Abbey who wrote my favorite book Desert Solitaire.

Between the first morning Abbey stepped out of the park service house trailer into the desert near Moab and today, drastic changes have occurred to and within national parks, some for good and some not so good. However, how many of us have visited national parks? How many of us will go back? How many of us will recommend visiting this park to family, friends and neighbors?

I have visited national parks. I will go back. I absolutely will recommend them to everyone.

Why? Because they are a location of the amazing natural wonders of the world, a display of the power and beauty of nature and they call to me. However, I will recommend the back door, the road less traveled, as Robert Frost would say. I will recommend discovering the far reaches, the less traveled first.

In Desert Solitaire Abbey writes, “Once we outlaw the motors and stop the road-building and force the multitude back on their feet, the people will need leaders. A venturesome minority will always be eager to set off on their own, and no obstacles should be placed in their paths; let them take risks...that is the right and privilege of a free American.

But the rest, the majority, most of them new to the out-of-doors, will need and welcome assistance, instruction and guidance.”

You and I are the minority.

We can be the instructors, the assistance, and we can provide the guidance while welcoming the majority.

Staunton State Park is changing, constantly for good and not so good. We might not always agree with this change; however, we can choose to embrace it and remember the first time we stepped out into the unknown and share the stories, the knowledge, the recommendations to those who come to Staunton to experience the pull of Mother Nature out into the unknown that we as minorities have already experienced.

Thank you for everything you do, so that the majority who want to “experience nature” can.

Public Service Announcement

Many of you may recall park ranger Mark (“party pooper”) Lehman’s March email elucidating on the regulatory prohibitions on collection, removal,

destruction, mutilation, modification or defacement of objects of natural/environmental

value or interest from State Park property. This covers objects of zooilogical value or interest. As he stated, “The regulation acts as an umbrella

that allows us to enforce the prohibited collection of rocks, wildflowers, mushrooms, etc. that inturn provides our park visitors with a reasonable

opportunity to view these natural objects of specific interest.” Although not explicitly listed

within the regulation, we all know his etc. was referring to Sasquatches in the park. Sasquatches would be zooilogical in nature, unless of course

they are, in fact, aliens, in which case their classification may be somewhat more ambiguous.

Bottom line is, no messing with a Sasquatch in the park. Please observe them and take your blurry photographs from a respectable distance.

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Slash, they’re thinking about

taking down our cabin. They say we’re supposed to live in our

natural habitat – a burrow.

That’s ridiculous Ray. My widescreen TV and Lazy

Boy won’t fit in a desolate hole in the ground.

Raymond, this means war. Gather the

troops and tell them to sharpen

their incisors.

SAVE THE DATES

We really need your help for Marmot Fest

June 25 – 26

As evolving marmots, this is the life style to which we’ve become

accustomed.

Pay attention. This is an engine compartment. You go for the hoses and wires.

Seek out the Cadillac Escalades first.

RAYMOND & SLASH – together they can rule the galaxy

If you’ve never been kissed by a marmot, here’s your chance:

https://youtu.be/3O05nyS6hwQ

I’ve got a bad feeling about

this.

https://youtu.be/3O05nyS6hwQ

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Busy season ahead for the park

The season ahead will be a busy one for Staunton, according to park manager Zach Taylor, who presented updates at the April volunteer meeting. Phase II is slated to begin soon with a variety of projects, some under contract, and others up for bid.

The visitors center has been temporarily put on hold as bids came back too high, as much as $275 per square foot higher than original estimates. Taylor indicated rebidding for the job will occur as some contractors did not submit bids for various reasons. It is hoped that bids more in line with original estimates will come from future bids so the project can feasibly begin soon.

All Phase II contracting to build new trails has been completed and construction will begin soon. The volunteer trails team will be included in some of these projects. Trail rehabilitation and construction near the climbers access area is in process and volunteer work dates in May have already been set up.

Work has begun on the new group picnic area at Davis Ponds. In addition, a leak has been discovered in the dam at the lower pond and will need to be repaired. Work on this project will begin after spring run-off and no fishing will be allowed in the lower pond until repairs are complete.

Horse trailer parking will be allowed only at the Mason Creek trail head until construction can be completed at the Rock Pile parking lot. Bids for other projects including road construction into the heart of the park will begin soon.

As of the April meeting, movement of the entrance station is on hold due to visitor center issues.

Volunteers are encouraged to be visible throughout the park to help visitors who may have questions about construction and to help direct traffic and activity while Phase II is in progress.

School Kids at Staunton in April

Climbing Access Trail work

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Carol and Bob Phelps were stunned to learn at the April meeting that the state was seeking eminent domain to obtain their property under the pretense of protecting the Lions Head historical peregrine nesting area. Once their home is removed the land will be used as an archery and artillery range. The peregrines reportedly “just want to be left alone” and are circulating a petition to “turn off” Elk Falls so that visitors won’t be attracted to Lions Head and the falls overlook.

Colorado State Parks mascot Talon, the red-tailed hawk, has resigned his position with the state in a solidarity protest for protection of his fellow raptors.

MARMOT MESSENGER 11

'Shroom...'shroom...'shroom

Mushrooms come in all types, shapes and sizes...some edible, others extremely deadly and Staunton has its share of the various fungi. You just have to know where to look, according to volunteer Karel Bammes.

Bammes gave a fascinating and informative presentation of the fungi

during April's volunteer meeting, which included a volunteer hands-on exercise.

Mushrooms can be located on dead logs, in “duff,” a pine needle floor or on ground grasses in meadows. Types include toadstools, the colorful witches jelly and cup. Some found in the park include puffballs and coral. Mushrooms are beneficial in the medical field. For example, penicillin is made from this fungi.

A mushroom is made up of several parts including the veil and cap with features such as the gill, pores, ridges and teeth. They go

through various stages in a life cycle as they reproduce. Fungi are not like plants or animals, but are a different organism.

Types include the saprophytic, which are decomposers. An example would be the wood shelf. Another type is the edible mycorrhizal. An example of this type is the porcini. Parasitic is a third type which attaches to living hosts including humans. If you have

toe or finger nail fungus, you have a parasitic type of fungi. The fourth type is ascomycetes which bare spores in sacs.

Bammes also presented a 'shroom hunters environmental checklist used to record data in finding the fungi. She included a

“'shroomers” tool list for gathering information during the hunt.

It is important to note that hunters must be able to distinguish between edible and deadly mushrooms if they are gathered to be eaten. Bammes noted that even though animals may be able to eat some mushrooms, humans cannot. Toxicity in the body could be short-term or permanent such as damage to the liver or other organs, sometimes resulting in death. One toxic 'shroom growing in the park, the Amenita muscirea, is beautiful, but one of the most lethal.

After the presentation, Karel divided the volunteers into six groups where they examined different mushrooms for their features. Each group presented findings at the conclusion.

Mushrooms have

many uses

MARMOT MESSENGER 12

Eldorado Canyon a climber's mecca

editor's note: With the coming of spring, the Messenger is continuing its series on state parks

and wildlife areas. Hopefully, the information in

these articles will encourage volunteers to visit lands set aside by the state of Colorado for

recreation and enjoyment.

Eldorado Canyon State Park, near Boulder, is a geologic paradise where rock climbers find their heaven. The granite monoliths jutting up from the canyon floor of this park provide ample opportunities for technical climbers, but other recreational adventures await park

visitors, including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and picnicing.

The park is divided into two sections including the east side Inner Canyon area and the western Crescent Meadows. Between these sections City of Boulder and County of Boulder Open Space parks, along with private property connect the land area.

The climbing walls, mostly located on the easternmost section of the park, include such

inviting names as Hawk Eagle Ridge, Whale's Tail and Redgarden Wall while The Bastille sounds a little less inviting. Registration is not required to climb in the park. Very little fixed hardware is available on routes.

If you are a hiker, three trails provide access into the park, including Fowler Trail, an easy.7 mile one way trek with wheelchair accessibility along the first half of the trail.

Rattlesnake Gulch Trail, a moderately difficult hike, is 1.4 miles one way. This trail travels to the Crags Hotel ruins. The hotel was

built in 1908 and was a railroad stop until it burned down in 1912. The trail, which contains good views of the canyon, travels to an overlook of the Continental Divide. As its name suggests, this trail may be best if taken during off season for snakes.

If you are looking for a more challenging hike which takes you into the heart of the park and the area, try Eldorado Canyon Trail, a moderately difficult trek of 3.25 miles one way. This scenic trail has magnificent views of the canyon floor as well as the surrounding mountains to the west. The trail also connects into the Walker Ranch, a Boulder County Open Space park. The trail also passes through the Western Mountain Parks Habitat Conservation Area and wildlife and various bird species can often be seen here, such as the Red-breasted Nut Hatch we observed. The trail switch-backs up from the canyon floor, provides access to climbing walls and passes through mostly open mixed pine forests.

MARMOT MESSENGER 13

The visitors center, built in 2001, is informative and well worth time spent there. The center contains a climbing wall with information about the park's climbing history. Various books and other souvenirs can also be purchased.

Just outside the visitors center is a picnic area running along South Boulder Creek. Parking is limited here and facilities are first-come first-served. In fact, parking is at a premium throughout the park. It is best to visit on a weekday or arrive early on weekends.

Getting there: from Conifer, take U.S. 285 to C470 east. Exit off onto 6th Avenue and head north toward Golden. This highway will connect into Colorado State Highway 93 north. Take Highway 93 north from Golden until reaching State Highway 170. Turn left and travel west through the small village of Eldorado Springs to the park entrance. Signs for the park are visible on SH 93.

MARMOT MESSENGER 14

The Mysteries and Secrets of the Elk Creek Valley

A variety of secrets were shared with me as I was researching the history of the Staunton Ranch and the Elk Creek Valley. Within the first few months of research, I had the opportunity to meet and interview 95 year old Robert Calfee at his daughter Dee’s home in Evergreen. Calfee shared his memories of the ten years (1951-1961) that he and his family enjoyed on 15 acres in what is now known as Calfee Gulch off Hwy. 285. He also spoke of his “top secret” assignment with the Manhattan Project in Oakridge, Tennessee, as a nuclear physicist. Calfee was also happy to share his recollections of the Denver Sunshine League’s secret “nudists’ colony” that had existed in that area for several decades before he arrived. Of interest was that John Doud, father of Mamie Eisenhower, had been a member of the Denver Sunshine League. (The family had requested that this remain a secret until Mamie died in 1969.)

A few days after my conversation with Mr. Calfee, I had a telephone interview with Orason Brinker, Jr., a 95-year-old grandson of Arthur W. Brinker who had owned 160 acres of land on both sides of Elk Creek Road (from Shaffers Crossing on the north side) over 100 years ago. He knew his family had enjoyed spending time at their mountain cabin near Shaffer’s Crossing, and he believed that their cabin was still standing. Brinker, no relation to our Brinker volunteers as far as we know,

was my mother’s fourth cousin. Orason also shared that he held a top secret assignment during WWII with the Civilian Army Corps in 1941. The Brinker property was later owned by the Freeman family, who owned and enjoyed this land for seven decades. After these two interviews, my book “The Secrets of Elk Creek” began to evolve!

There have been other secrets in the Elk Creek Valley over the years, but not all have been shared. Yet, in the course of writing my book, some secrets were revealed to me. I have

decided that some of these need not be printed, because some sounded more like rumors or gossip than fact.

Mysteries, according to definition, are a form of a secret. Staunton State Park definitely has its share of mysteries, beginning with the old stone house on Mason Creek. There are also several small structures about 12’x12’ heading up Mason Creek, and a larger building near “Stump Meadow.” There’s an inverted peace symbol along the trail. Rex knows about this. All are candidates for investigation by an archaeologist.

A big secret as well as a mystery is the Shower House. Was it part of a TB sanatorium which the Stauntons operated? Will archaeologists find proof of this? Will additional evidence surface, or will this remain a mystery?

Does a mystical spirit seem present near Elk Falls? Please share your experiences, if any. How do you feel as you are hiking towards the falls? And when you are standing where the two ladies once stood? Are there other copies of the picture of the two

ladies at the Falls? If we can locate other copies of this photo, perhaps we can learn who the photographer was. Another mystery to solve.

MARMOT MESSENGER 15

Then there are the Sasquatch sightings that have been reported in SSP and in other nearby

areas over the years. I guess this goes into the mystery category. Jim Myers, owner of the Sasquatch Outpost in Bailey, believes that the Sasquatch may live in caves. (See article on Sasquatch presentation in this edition.) I wonder if Carol and Bob have seen footprints. Or maybe in wooden tepees… Carol Mac… anything near your home? Myers didn’t think it likely that they are stone house dwellers. Some local residents are convinced that Sasquatch does exist and has been in SSP. If this is true, then future SSP campers may have some incredible stories to share with their children and grandchildren some day.

More mysteries abound at the sites of the bunkhouse and cable. Archibald Staunton

built the bunkhouse and obtained the cable, but the origin of the cable remains a mystery. How did they get it

up to its present location? How did they install

it? Was it worth all the time and trouble? And when did the loggers first arrive on the scene?

There’s also the mystery of the Spanish pick, reported by early historian, Jaime Houze. Cowboy and Pine Grove resident Murray Hall discovered an unusual pick when digging for fence posts on the Freeman property located on Elk Creek Road near Shaffers Crossing. Museum personnel told Hall it may have been

from the Spanish Conquistadores! Hall, allegedly, decided to keep the pick, rather than selling it to the museum. Does anyone know anything else about this?

Lastly, there is the search for the Reynolds Gang’s stolen gold, and the bullet-ridden sign that once stood near the trout ponds at Shaffers Crossing. Was the gold hidden in this area, or somewhere

else? Did early homesteader Anton Glasmann actually find it? Will the truth ever be known?

Secrets and mysteries are interesting. I believe that some things need to be kept secret in order to protect and preserve the specialness of this place. As SSP attracts more and more visitors each year, we as volunteers must help preserve the wonderful treasures of this park. Frances Staunton was very specific in her will when she donated her family’s 1,720 acre ranch to the Colorado Division of Parks and Recreation in 1986. She wanted all of the people of Colorado to enjoy this beautiful land as she and her family had. Secrets and mysteries are part of this!

He used to be respectable.

Now look at him.

MARMOT MESSENGER 16 Spring Fling and Earth Day Celebration at Ken-Caryl Ranch

Outdoor recreation & education activities

Although Smokey was publicized as the special

guest, we all know who

the real special guest

was.

While Smokey lounged around most of the time in the ranch house reading comics, Raymond was out and about promoting Staunton SP and Marmot Fest.

In marmot years he is well over 21

After a busy day, Raymond still made time to patronize a

“Where’s Raymond” sponsor Brooks Tavern.

Tweeting chirps

MARMOT MESSENGER 17

Staunton’s the best …

MARMOT MESSENGER 18

Getting to Know You California girl loves the snow

A native Californian, volunteer Mary Beth Carpenter has found that living in Colorado suits her just fine.

“I wouldn't trade the snow in Colorado for all that awful southern California traffic,” she explains.

Carpenter was born in Los Angeles

and lived in Orange County all her life until, as she describes it, “a mid-life crisis” brought her to Conifer in 2005. She goes back often to visit as most of her family still live in California, including daughter Susan, a granddaughter, step-kids and step grandkids, sisters and others. She also has a daughter who lives in Atlanta. But she has a brother, who she describes as “the other rebel” living here in Colorado.

Mary Beth graduated from Cal State—Long Beach where she earned a BS degree in microbiology. She worked in healthcare diagnostics for her entire career retiring from Quest Diagnostics in 2012 where she worked as a marketing communications manager for the hospital division.

Volunteering is in Carpenter's blood and she wanted to join Staunton's original group but it did not work out. “I missed the first volunteer recruitment because I was out of town for work, and by the time I got my hat in the ring, there were 52 on the waiting list,” she said.

But “patience is a virtue” and while she was waiting for the next training opportunity, Carpenter became a volunteer for Lookout Mountain Nature Center in Golden, which later aided her entrance into the Staunton program.

“That helped my volunteer resume,” she says.

Carpenter, who describes Lions Head as “my own personal Half Dome,” has fallen in love with the park and immediately got busy, first by joining the plant team and then becoming a member of the education team.

She says she got hooked on flowers, shrubs and

weeds and was impressed with what she was learning.

“Those Darnells (Jack and Deborah) are pretty convincing,” she said.

The education team is where Mary Beth has found her niche, however, and working with this group is a passion for her. “I am not a teacher by profession, but all my life...I would tell (people) I want to be an interpretive guide and teach little kids about nature,” she explains. Carpenter adds that she is still learning, an energizing activity for her.

“There is nothing like watching a kindergartner or fourth grader 'get it' knowing they may finally become a steward of the forest or environment,” Mary Beth said.

In the future Carpenter hopes, “we will honor Frances

Staunton's vision of a place of wilderness and peace, where people can come and experience her wild Colorado, plants, animals, people living in as much harmony as nature and our Creator allow.”

An avid hiker, Mary Beth is a Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) which gives her opportunities to share her love of the outdoors. She is also a world traveler.

MARMOT MESSENGER 19

“I have been to all the continents except Australia (on her bucket list) and Antarctica,” she says. And she has been in the right place at the right time more than once.

“I was in Germany when the Berlin Wall came down and Egypt two months before the whole place fell apart,” she said. But her favorite place “in the whole world” is right here in America.

Carpenter loves Yosemite National Park in California and has specific instructions for her children to “throw my ashes off Glacier Point” after she passes.

One thing Mary Beth hates to do is cook, but she adds that she loves company.

“So...come over some time.”

MARMOT MESSENGER 20

Volunteer Team Coordinators

Staunton State Park Staff

Education: Claudia Gunn – cmarygunn@gmail.com

Annie Thran – annie.thran@state.co.us

Fencing: Susan Festag – kpfestag@wispertel.net

Wayne Parkinson – wayne.sally.96@gmail.com

Chainsaw: Scott Aaronson – sea_b5@yahoo.com

Ted Hammon - ted@urotek.us

Newsletter: Nancy Coburn – peakbagger10@gmail.com

Elaine Rideout – elainer_9@msn.com

Small Construction: Ed Samberg – ed@sambergs.org

Jack Gunn - jharoldgunn@gmail.com

Trails: Gary Sims – simsgry@comcast.net

Plants: Jack Darnell – jackrdarnell@earthlink.net

Deborah Darnell – deborah_darnell@yahoo.com

Raptor Monitoring: Richard Prickett – cyclevetd@yahoo.com

Wildlife: Ron LaLone - ronlalone@yahoo.com

Elaine Rideout – elainer_9@msn.com

Park History: Bonnie Scudder - bscudder@evcohs.com

Deborah Darnell – deborah_darnell@yahoo.com

Rock Climbing: Dave Montgomery - rockymontyd@yahoo.com

Entrance/Office: Susan Festag – kpfestag@wispertel.net

Trail Host: Jane Nault – jfnault@msn.com

Sally Parkinson - sally.parkinson.96@gmail.com

Wayne Parkinson – wayne.sally.96@gmail.com

Weed Warriors: Mark Fisher - fisher@wispertel.net

Patty Warnick - plwarnick@yahoo.com

Scouts/Eagle Scouts: Randie Boldra - rcwbold@yahoo.com

Mark Fisher - fisher@wispertel.net

Ron LaLone - ronlalone@yahoo.com

Gary Finley - gmfinley@wispertel.net

Geocache: Jack Darnell – jackrdarnell@earthlink.net

Parking: Ted Hammon - ted@urotek.us

Mike Mladjan – mladjanmike@gmail.com

Zach Taylor Park Manager

Dave Stigall Park Resource Technician

Mark Lehman Park Ranger

www.parks.state.co.us

Newsletter Team:

Nancy Coburn

Bonnie Scudder

Elaine Rideout

Marmot Mascot Designer:

Meagan Webber

Special Thanks to

Zach Taylor

mailto:cmarygunn@gmail.commailto:kpfestag@wispertel.netmailto:sea_b5@yahoo.commailto:peakbagger10@gmail.commailto:cyclevetd@yahoo.commailto:kpfestag@wispertel.net