Finding a volunteer that has the right mix of strong communication skills, a knowledge of conflict management, a positive attitude and a thorough knowledge of Valley View culture, is not that easy to find. That's why this summer season, we're lucky to have two guys that possess all of the above virtues, and more. Plus, they have committed to perform Camp Host duties for the entire summer!

Camp Host Dave Hendricks acts as an assistant Volunteer Coordinator, monitoring volunteers and keeping them on task, giving various engaging talks on Saturday nights, as well as serving as a full-time ambassador for the organization. Camp Host Kevin O'Donnell provides orientation to guests, monitors a fire at the pavilion on weekend nights, as well as doing some light-duty tasks at the Welcome Center during the day. This frees up our busy front desk staff to complete the myriad tasks that keep Valley View running smoothly.

The volunteer Camp Host position is a "working vacation' for these dedicated folks. They are expected to be on-call, via 2-way radio, 24 hours a day/seven days a week; including weekends and holidays. Sure, they get to sit in the pools and mingle with guests as part of their job description, but they could be summoned by staff at any time day or night; to help a visitor find the correct accommodation, re-supply the ice freezer, unclog a shower drain, jump a car battery, or perform a hundred other tasks, as needed.

So, the expertise required of our valued Camp Host's and the extensive training required to orient them to their responsibilities, necessitates that they commit to a longer stay. The continuity this affords provides a better experience for our guests and makes life easier for our small staff, as well.

If you only have a week or two that you can commit to volunteer here, then we've got several other host opportunities that might work for you. Please complete an OLT Volunteer Application and drop it off at the front desk. If your skills meet our needs, you'll be hearing from us.

As always, thanks for your interest in volunteering at OLT/Valley View Hot Springs!

by David Beaulieu, Visitor Services Manager & Volunteer Coordinator

If you visited Valley View in June or July 2013, you may have noticed the thick, choking smoke and the western horizon ablaze.

The West Fork Complex fire, actually three fires started by lightning in spruce forests that had been ravaged by beetles, burned 108,000 acres. In the heart of that fire was Rainbow Hot Springs, a collection of primitive, clothing-optional pools every bit as lovely as those at Valley View, but requiring a long hike each way into the Weminuche Wilderness to reach.

Some wondered what would happen to the springs. Would the campsites be destroyed? Would post-fire erosion fill in the fragile pools? Would the U.S. Forest Service keep the trail closed?

I am happy to report the answer is "no" to all of the above. Though the area is a sea of dead or burnt trees, as of late June 2013 the campsites were usable. The largest pool, known for its huge slime-coated waterfall, was hot and clear. The relaxing warm pool in the meadow beyond was fine, and some good Samaritans had recently dug out the hot pool just across the San Juan River. They told me it was 104 degrees, hotter than they'd ever seen it.

The hike is not for the faint of heart, 6 miles and 1,200 feet of climbing - and you thought the hike to the top ponds at Valley View was a lung-buster. But make the trek and you'll experience solitude and immersion in the wilderness like never before.

Reach the trailhead just west of Wolf Creek Pass on U.S. Highway 160. Turn north at the sign for the West Fork Campground and drive 3.5 miles to the trailhead. Trail No. 561 goes up the dirt road then turns off to the right and is easy to follow. You'll know you've reached the first pool when you see a trail to the left marked by two small cairns. Carefully follow this down steeply to the river for the first, and largest, pool.

To find the other pools return to the main trail and hike another quarter-mile, where a trail branches to the left and leads into a meadow. One lukewarm pool is in the meadow and the hottest pool is across the river.

The area is snow-covered and difficult to access November through April.

by Scott Rappold

Massage Therapists

 Cynthia L. Nielsen - Bodywork, Yoga, Watsu (OLT Bodywork Coordinator)

(email) 719-298-0360  www.radiantflow.co

"...bodywork that settles the mind and touches the heart..."

Cynthia is an intuitive Bodyworker, Yoga Instructor & Water Being.
Call to discuss which therapy fits you best. Modalities offered:
   Watsu, myofacial, trigger point therapy, Hot River Rocks, scalp massage,
   Hand-crafted essential salves & reflexology.
~Sign Up for WiseWomen Yoga Retreats as they fill up quickly~
~Private and Semi-Private Yoga classes offered Spring & Summer~

 Suzanne Rouge - BSE Certified Reflexologist

970-308-1415  http://www.hummingbirdhorizons.com 

Reflexology is acupressure on feet, hands and ears. It induces deep relaxation, increases circulation and clears neuropathways. Creating an alignment with the natural world, Suzanne reads auras, uses sacred numerology, medicine wheel insights, and elemental breathwork to bring the body into balance. Her mission is to teach people how to heal themselves.

 Louise Nelson - Massage Therapist

970-424-4090 

Louise Nelson brings years of massage experience to helping clients at OLT.

"I've always just loved giving things away. But then we created the non-profit. So now, it was my job to give! People from all over gave to me so I could share with others! Even organizations supported me... doing just what I always loved!"

I'll never forget how Neil's face lit up as he recounted OLT's founding years. And he wasn't alone in this adventure. He and Terry worked side-by-side with a group of incredible volunteers and professionals who each loved and respected this delicate and precious place. Together, they carefully crafted the principals that would preserve this unique experience for generations to come.

I was recently asked what motivates my service to this community. The founder's example immediately came to mind, but also the hundreds of others whose kindness meant as much to them as to those who received it. There was the hippy who first introduced me to Valley View decades ago, the wealthy couple who shared their favorite hot springs secrets, or the exuberant nine year old who helped me build tiny rock houses for the magic people. There's musicians, cooks, and artists. Even if it's just a kind welcome or some soaking story, we all love to share. And through OLT, each of our gifts mean so very much to so many. So like Neil, I only wish I had more to share.

- Doug Bates (the other Doug)

Sign up for our mailings and we'll keep you in the loop with semi-annual newsletters, volunteer opportunities, and membership updates. Naturally, the best way to stay in the loop is come visit us here at the Ranch, Hot Springs, and Mine. We've got something for everyone! 

Click here to Manage Your Subscriptions and add to your address book to ensure delivery.

Long-time volunteer, Ted Peck, has volunteered to host a summer science camp for one week at OLT that will span our properties from the Everson Ranch to the Hot Springs and Orient Mine. It's a great opportunity for up to 20 kids (and their parents) to learn a little science and renew or create relationships that may last a long time. We're lining up presentations in geology, hydrology, biology, plants, ranch animals, astronomy, and of course our beloved bats.

Ever try to squeeze into the Oak House kitchen on a busy evening?

Many have asked about the cabin we positioned next to the pavilion. Last summer, it served as a trading post. But this summer, we'll be opening it for campers to store food and prepare meals with the nearby grills. We'll add a couple communal refrigerators and room to stow coolers inside keeping any curious bears away. Spring water will be available for drinking and cooking. When done, dishes can always be cleaned with sinks at the main bath. It's not perfect, but it should help keep the Oak House less cluttered and easier for everyone to share.

Eventually, we'll move it from this temporary position to a permanent site. A number of options are being considered. We're also reviewing many exciting and innovative suggestions to better accomodate the community's cooking and other needs, year round.

We hope this eases the crunch at Oak House and makes the cabin's present position a bit more palatable for the time being.  

Greetings from the new and inexperienced trainee on staff. It’s been great! Thanks to all for the warm welcome. The competent and capable staff has been patient and helpful. Those who’ve offered their congratulations and support have helped me start this new job with confidence and the comfort of your warm wishes.

We reached capacity over the Memorial Day weekend. Reservations will make things run smoothly for everyone during the busy summer months.

We’ve had some rain and some spring run-off from the snow melt. The volume of the water of the springs is up. The top spring has cooled down to 80 degrees. The valley looks green, though I don’t think the drought is over.

The big project is approaching. The final design has been sent to the state and we may be very close to getting the green light. Even though it will mean some big machinery at work below the Oak House, we are excited about digging in.

Thanks to the board for your leadership and hard work. Thanks to the community for your strong and abiding support. Thanks to all for your contributions to the spirit of wisdom and care and the characteristics of goodwill, trust, and generosity.     

Doug Bishop

Attention All Awesome Orient Land Trust Members:

We're happy to announce the lineup of bands scheduled for our 2014 OLT Membership Appreciation Weekend; Friday, August 8th – Sunday, August 10th.

Facebook Event

Boulder's Intuit, scheduled for Friday at 8:45pm, draws inspiration from reggae, funk, jazz, blues, hip-hop, folk, and world music to create a lively and original sound. With heart-warming lulls, energetic peaks, and endless stylistic shape–shifting, Intuit delivers a captivating groove that everyone can enjoy.  Website - Facebook

Saturday at 9:00pm we feature Denver's premier afro-beat stylists, ATOMGA. We'll be squeezing this 11-piece afro-funk collective, featuring a four-piece horn section and awesome percussion, onto the Pavilion stage. We're hoping Atomga's heavy-duty, down and dirty, positive vibe blows your mind, but doesn't blow the roof off the place!  Website - Facebook

So, loyal members; come to Valley View Hot Springs, shed your threads and get your boogie on at the 2014 Orient Land Trust Membership Appreciation Weekend.

Holistic Management is based on a decision making framework which results in ecologically regenerative, economically viable and socially sound management of grasslands.

Grasses across the earth developed with large herds of prey (ibex, yaks, bison, camels, elk, moose, and, yes, the ancestors of cows, goats, sheep, etc.), and their predators – wolves, lions, hyenas, etc. Think of the buffalo - the prey lived in large bunches, eating all plants down to a healthy level, pooping and peeing and working it all into the earth with their feet. When the predators came around, or they had eaten all the plants down to the stalks, the herd moved on quickly, in a tight herd, to start the process over again elsewhere. The result was healthy plants, roots and soils.

Today we have eradicated the large herds of wild prey and most of the predators. We have divided vast grasslands into plots of a few acres (even many acres) surrounded by fences. Animals are put out for many months, eating only the plants they like most, returning to the shoots, and eventually killing the plants. The result is that the most desirable plants die off, and the less desirable plants survive, leading to a more and more limited plant array, and loss of biomass above and below the soil surface. This in turn leads to unanchored soils, which we see blowing in the valley all the time. This method of grazing has created enormous damage to the northern San Luis valley. But we can change this, and at OLT we are doing just that.

More than just for feeding livestock, grasses are important for the wellbeing of the globe. They are, on a global scale, huge carbon sequesterers (hmmm, a word?). So, it's a good thing to optimize their health to optimize our health.

And the way to do that on a large scale is to help to bring back the model of predator-prey dynamics to our grasslands. A few issues, certainly. We have the prey, in the shape of food animals. However, as we have fenced the entire world, we can't just let the proverbial wolf loose because the prey animals would not be able to flee naturally. So what to do?

Among others, the Savory Institute (savoryinstitute.com), has been working all over the world for decades to help food producers mimic the prey-predator model of grasses revival to great success and acclaim. His premise is that even though it is not realistic to bring in predators, we can use cattle, goats, sheep, even pigs and chickens, to revive grasslands by stepping in and using holistic grazing management to take their place. The method is to put a lot of animals on a small area of land and move them quickly when they've eaten the grass down to a desired level and only bring them back when the grass is ready. That is done with lots of determination, work, and electric fence. The result is healthy roots, healthy soils that readily absorb and hinder evaporation of the sparse water, and healthy grasses of multiple species. This will not create immediate results. It will require hard work and dedication for years.

To that end, OLT has entered into a collaborative partnership with a local ranch, Arrowpoint Cattle Company (you might have eaten their delicious beef that we sell at OLT), which has been using this grazing method for years. We have also joined hands with the Savory Institute, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Bureau of Land Management, and our neighbors, Richard and Linda, to bring this effective process to the Everson Ranch, Richard and Linda's lands, and OLT's BLM grazing allotments, in order to bring our grasslands back.

Arrowpoint's cattle are Scottish Highland, small, drought and harsh weather resistant beauties that are trained to a whistle and a kind word - okay, and maybe some cow cookies. We have a total of around 120 cattle on the Ranch.

OLT has always had cattle on the Everson Ranch. The difference now is that we are practicing natural resource enhancement as opposed to commodities resource extraction.

So come help us celebrate our commitment to the preservation of OLT's beautiful lands and helping to build a model of sustainable agriculture so ranchers in the Northern San Luis Valley can continue to ranch and preserve our beautiful open spaces!