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<br />nf)f) <br />~ ~ 1. J ~ [.,.I Chapter 2 - The AlIe17&tJli't1t:s <br /> <br />PATROL HEADQUARTERS AND OTHER FACILITIES <br />Under Alternative C, the new 1,500 square foot PHQ would be consll'Ucted as part of the Loge Peak dining <br />facility south of Loge Peak. The existing ski patrol headquarters at the top of Cloud Nine would either be <br />removed or. if an interpretive center is not incorporated within the Loge Peak Restaurant building, it might be <br />turned into an interpretive center and/or warming hut. Just as in Alternative B. the existing powder mixing and <br />storage magazine facility for use in avalanche control would be moved to one of two alternative positions under <br />Alternative C. The nrst location would be on a bench along the Steeplecbase Catwalk and southeast of the <br />Meny-Go-Round ReslJlurant, while the second would be to the south of the Loge Peak Lift's upper tenninal and <br />just west of the Loge Peak/Highlands ridge. The distance between the powder-mixing room and any other <br />Sll'UCture would be at least 300 feet to meet standard safety requirements. <br /> <br />SNOWMAKING <br />Alternative C would include a 48-acre increase in the snowmaking capacity. bringing the total snowmaldng area <br />to \24 acres. This would be \72 acres less than under Alternative B and snowmaking would be limited to two <br />commonly used egress routes between Midway and the Aspen Highlands base area. The snowmaking facility <br />would require the similar buildings as would be needed under Alternative B, including one conll'ol building and <br />two pumphouses each with one or more optional cooling towers, all of which would adhere to Forest Service <br />standards and guidelines for visual quality. <br /> <br />SUMMER RECREATION ACTIVITIES <br />Under Alternative C, reinll'oduction of the sky rides to Loge Peak would be considered. This would entail <br />operating the Exhibition I and Loge Peak Lifts to access Loge Peak and the proposed Loge Peak Restaurant, <br />which would be open for dining. Hours of operation would likely be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Opponunities <br />to hike down the mountain would include walking down the existing road network from Loge Peak to the Aspen <br />Highlands base area or other shon pathways to improve circulation. Additional activities such as mountain <br />biking, hang gliding, and equestrian activities would not be accommodated on NFS lands due to lack of <br />accessibility, steepness of terrain, and area consll'aints. Opponunities exist to participate in these activities on <br />other ski areas in the inunediale vicinity. <br /> <br />Another possibility, contingent upon approval of the ASC and private landowners at the base of Highlands, would <br />be to offer an additional staging area for the Maroon Bells Wilderness transit bus at the Highlands base parking <br />facility. This would lessen vehicular traffic up Maroon Creek canyon and decrease bus lI'affic in the town of <br />Aspen. It would also atll'act visitors to the Aspen Highlands base area facilities for the proposed sky ride and <br />dining on Loge Peak. All parking facilities for Aspen Highlands are on private land but remain part of the SUP. <br /> <br />PHASING <br />Consll'Uction of any elements of Alternative C that might be approved for development would be phased in <br />accordance with the management priorities of the ASC. Generally, the lifts would be phased similarly to <br />Alternative B with the surface lifts being consll'Ucted at about the same time as the Highland Bowl Lift. <br /> <br />OFF-SITE DEVELOPMENTS <br />The base area development proposed by Hines would not affect Alternative C differently than the No Action <br />Alternative and, therefore. is not discussed further in this section. <br /> <br />Allenral;ve C - Preferred Allernalive <br />OffSi1e DevelopfUrW <br /> <br />2-15 <br />