Forest Glen Update

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

Forest Glen Update

After a couple weeks of little or no snow, NOAA reported 34” at Brighton over the last week.  Paul Nell has done an excellent job of maintaining the Forest GIen Roads.  We’ve had no problems driving in and out at any time.  Paul has managed to stretch the $300 paid by 22 cabins all the way from our first snow fall on Oct 24 to Jan 31, so the high cost of plowing that we all feared has been, so far, unrealized.  Curtis reported that 28 of the 51 B/C cabins (and 1 A cabin) were accessed through our gate since the first of the year, so many of our neighbors have been enjoying this beautiful winter.  Besides skiing and snowboarding at Solitude and Brighton we’ve enjoyed a lot of snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the back-country.  There’s also no inversion up here, only crisp clean air.  So we hope to see everyone visit Forest Glen this winter.

Don Pickard 12325 E Skyline View lane

Thursday, Decmber 20, 2012

Road Condition Update

I walk the Forest Glen B/C roads twice/day.  Periodically I plan to take pictures to show the road conditions.  So far, so good.  After the 3 weeks of no snow, freeze/thaw, and dangerous ice, we received about 3-4 feet of light snow that has packed nicely for walking, skiing, and snow mobiling.  Paul Nell has done an excellent job blowing the road.  By blowing instead of plowing, the banks along the road are very soft.  So, concern about accessing cabins over the bank are, so far, unrealized. The snow is very light and you can walk right through the bank as many neighbors have done.  With our 4WD and snow tires we’ve had no problem driving to Brighton to enjoy the amazing powder skiing.  These pictures were taken 20 Dec.  We hope to see you all up here in Forest Glen.

Don Pickard 12325 Skyline View Lane