Lime

twice on Republic Peak this week!

Caught a Beartooth Alliance meeting last night.  The get-together was centered around the mine reclamation going on around town.  Pretty interesting stuff.   At the big Knife River site (on the upper Soda Butte) I learned about all the wells (14 perimeter and 3 central) that they have pumping water away from the tailings.  The 3 central wells send their water through a treatment facility (on site), before eventually letting it loose down steam.  (iron being the mineral of most concern).  With the tailings, upwards of 30' deep, being dug up, mixed with lime, and put high and dry.

Will be great to get the upper Soda Butte back in action as a healthy fishery.   A couple years out I suppose.  Though I've seen fish around Silver Gate (in a spring fed marsh), the seemingly ideal habitat a stones throw from my cabin is currently without trout..

Also observed a fresh wildfire atop the Thunderer while rubber-necking ski routes on my way thought the Park last night, following a round of t-storms.  I don't foresee it as a problem, as it's right near the summit, and Cache Creek (to the east) seems to have less fuel than needed (from the '88 onslaught) for anything to blow up.