Year 4: Same Mountain, New Name
There is currently a motion to rename Mt. Evans to Mt. Blue Sky given the racist history of Mr. Evans. It may or may not pass by the time the event happens.
Weather
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.5882&lon=-105.6437#.XNnOBShKiUk
Telegram
https://t.me/joinchat/WQln3i3YUnpICnd6
When
Saturday, July 30 See time details below
Where
Marshdale Park in Evergreen and the top of Mount Blue Sky See meetup/rideshare details below
How
By car, unless you're motivated. ;)
RSVP
While RSVPs are not required, they help the organizer plan better for each new event. You may RSVP here.
Cost
The cost should be free, as we will be going up after the ranger station has closed for the day. That said, renting the picnic shelter is not free. If you’d like to donate to help cover the cost of that, see below.
Note: If you wish to go to Mount Blue Sky directly and intend to ascend before 6pm, Mount Blue Sky is one of several recreation areas in Colorado using a ticketed, timed-entry access method at this time. Please see Recreation.gov for details.
Time Details
Cookout
3p-6p at Marshdale Park in Evergreen
We have the picnic shelter rented for this time.
We’ll want to start cleanup early enough to get up the mountain in time.
Mt. Blue Sky
Depart Marshdale Park at ~6pm.
Sunset is estimated to be at 8:15pm.
We should reach the lot at the top of Blue Sky with enough time that those that want to can hike to the summit (short, easy, a bit rocky) and watch the sunset.
Rideshare Details
Please coordinate ride shares among yourselves.(Feel free to ask in chat!)
Drivers: I recommend determining who is bringing coolers, grills, fursuits, etc. Room for people is not room for their stuff.
Food and Drink
Bring your own drinks and food to grill. Only propane grills are allowed..
Note: Rules for Evergreen Parks and Recreation District (EPRD) Parks restrict grills to propane only and they must be at least 2 feet off the ground. Furthermore, they can’t be placed on the picnic tables. However, there are no rules prohibiting them from being placed on other tables or similar that someone might bring. Tango will be bringing some.
Please coordinate coolers within your vehicle and remember to bring trash bags to take everything away.
Alcohol
Cookout
EPRD rules allow the consumption of alcohol at Marshdale Park but only in cans or plastic cups filled from kegs. AKA: no glass. You are responsible for ensuring that any alcohol you bring is not supplied to anyone underage and that people you do share with have a sober ride - up the mountain and/or home.
Mt. Blue Sky
Basically, same as above. None of us want to see a friend in jail or worse.
Other Substances
Please respect people’s wishes not to smoke or vape around them, and if you choose to do so - do so responsibly.
Under the laws of the state of Colorado, you may not legally smoke or consume marijuana in Marshdale Park or on Mount Blue Sky. Be smart. Similarly, if it’s otherwise illegal, a group trip is not the time or place.
Speaking of that Pandemic
You are welcome and encouraged to wear a face mask at our event if that’s what makes you comfortable. Masks are not required outdoors at this time, provided you remain reasonably distanced and ungathered. That said, that’s the opposite of what furries tend to do. If you’re not yet fully vaccinated, it is recommended you wear a mask if you're in a crowd.
Other Tips
It's likely to be hot and sunny in Evergreen - wear sunscreen, hats, etc.
It's also likely to be very cold on top of Mt. Blue Sky. The lot at the top is just over 14,000 feet of elevation, the summit itself is 14,271’ . You may want long pants and a light jacket at the top.
If you aren’t used to the elevation, drink lots of water in advance and consider supplemental oxygen available in most supermarkets and convenience stores in the area.
Fursuits
Fursuits are welcome and encouraged, but please be aware we won’t have a dedicated changing area at Marshdale Park due to the restriction on tents, pavilions, and similar temporary shelters.
Whether or not one is available on Mt. Blue Sky will depend a bit on the wind, which means it is unlikely.
Other Rules
EPRD has a PDF of their rules and regulations here. Of particular note, drones and amplified audio are prohibited.
Inclement Weather Plan
If inclement weather prohibits the picnic, we’ll move everything to late August.
If the picnic can happen, but weather prohibits a safe experience at the top of Mount Blue Sky, the picnic will continue but we’ll make the trip at a later date.
Shelter Rental and Related Commentary
If you’d like to donate to help cover the cost of renting the picnic shelter, various electronic methods are below. If you want to give me cash in person, that’s fine too; just be aware I won’t be bringing change.
Any funds collected in excess of the rental cost will be donated to Mount Blue Sky. This makes year four without paying the normal cost of driving up and after 2020, they could use the funds.
