We have officially started our replacement of the aging Second Creek Hut with the new state-of-the-art backcountry Broome Hut! Project Manager Andy Miller picked up our Building Permit from Grand County Building Department, then our approved Special Use Permit from US Forest Service, and promptly mobilized our excavation team to “walk” the track-mounted mini-excavator and skidsteer up to site. Well planned and nice job minimizing impacts to trail and vegetation, will be easy to primp the trail and replace a few steps after the equipment returns to the trailhead in early August.
Team broke ground on 20July11 in coordination with USFS Recreation/Special Uses Manager Mike Rickets, Botanist Steven Popovitch, and Civil Engineer Zach Humbles. By the time I came on site the next day 21July we were down to a rough excavation depth, now approximately 2 feet lower than original planning grade in order to reduce profile and properly balance fill needs. (Photos) Backfill will be done completely by hand, shovel, and wheelbarrow so we must get this right the first time! Excavated material is sandier than surface clay loam, which is great, with outcrops of highly fractured granitic bedrock, and now utilized for grey water adsorption field. Geologic Engineer Jed Dindinger joined the team Saturday 23July11 to confirm excavation conditions and plumb absorption field. 
Lower project perimeter secure with sediment fence and wattles, then willow slash and willow clumps then topsoil grading up to cabin infrastructure. Fingers crossed for good survival there. Reveg nursery growing significantly and looking great in the shade with plenty of rain. Good high diversity grass clumps (photos).
Will need lots of help in early August filling, shaping, and revegetating Hut area.
Cheers Team! Good to be digging.
…geoff
