Based on gate usage data and observations, 36/50 cabins
(72%) were used so far this winter. Of
those 36 cabins, 29/36 (81%) drove in on the plowed roads, and the remaining
7/36 (19%) only parked on Guardsman Pass Road (GPR) and used other means to
access their cabins. During weekends, there
were typically 24 cars parked within Forest Glen and 6 parked on GPR.
A private group of 23
homeowners paid for maintenance this winter, and although it was an average
snow season at best, there were no times when the road was not open for
4wd vehicles and snow tires. It has also
been very affordable. The 23 paid
$300/each into a fund that still remains.
HOA dues were used to pay for the maintenance of GPR for the
convenience of the 7 homeowners that exclusively parked there, as well as
trucks and trailers of snowmobilers. It
should be noted that had our roads not been plowed, the 12 vehicles owed by
daily residents would have taken most of the spots on GPR, and most of the
weekend and weekly owners would have had no place to park.
Forest Glen has
changed. Some may argue for the worst,
but most for the better. The waterline
project not only provided a more secure water supply, it enabled plowing and
the ability to enjoy nearly effortless access.
Plowing has been an experiment this winter….a very successful
experiment. The doomsayer’s predictions
of high cost and disaster has not occurred.
For those selling, buying, and going through appraisals, refinancing and
insurance, this is good news. We had our cabin appraised in January, and I
drove the appraiser around the neighborhood.
There was no question about winter access, and the appraisal came in at
about 20% higher than I expected. We have since refinanced, and there are no
concerns about fraud or with-holding information about winter access.
For the homeowners
and their guests that enjoy the winter bounty of the Big Cottonwood Canyon,
it’s even better news. It now only takes a few minutes to get to Brighton and
Solitude. Hauling groceries and trash
doesn't have to be an arduous time consuming chore. There are far fewer
screaming, smelly snowmobiles. The snow
banks contain the noise and headlights of those snowmobiles that do come by
(appreciated by those who live on the downhill side of the road). The roads are
very walkable, skiable, and driveable.
Most importantly, the roads provided a safe, secure, easily accessible
place to park…our cabins.
Guardsman’s parking
is unsustainable. Ironically, this low snow year reduced GPR parking by
limiting the amount that the bank could be extended. Instead of perpendicular parking, there was
only room for parallel parking, about 15 spots.
Had our roads not been plowed, these spots would have been taken by
daily parking eliminating the possibility of weekend parking.
As you can see from
the pictures below, taken at the end of February, Paul Nell has done an
excellent job maintaining our roads. Even
the Wildflower hill is very driveable.
Don Pickard 12325 Skyline View Lane
