San Luis Stations of the Cross

Maintenance Projects

Prepared by Harry Nachtigall

First, let us begin by acknowledging the wonderful work being done by the San Luis Council, and the Parish of San Luis.  The results of their constant labor and care of the Stations are evident.  When you stop to consider that the Stations are on a steep mountainside, exposed to the weather, visited by thousands of people yearly, and are approaching 20 years old: their efforts are truly extraordinary.

The Stations have many needs at this time and few resources to fill them.  With that in mind the Southern Chapter has undertaken the task to document some of the more pressing needs and publish them in hopes of obtaining help from Councils/Assemblies/Districts around the state.

On Tuesday, March 23, 2010, Colorado Knights of Columbus visited the Stations: Harry Nachtigall, accompanied by IPSD Claude Trujillo, PSD Price Hatcher, and Gilbert Mondragon, Grand Knight of San Luis Council.  As we climbed the trail to the top I took pictures and notes to document what we perceived to be pressing maintenance needs.  Even on this cold March day there were 6 people doing maintenance on the trail and several people visiting the Stations of the Cross.

Signage at the bottom:  The sign announcing the Stations along the edge of the road is in poor repair.  At a minimum, it needs scraped, painted and straightened.  A new sign would be a wonderful addition to the entrance.  The arches that Commerce City Council donated are beautiful and could be used as a model for a new sign.  Photos 1, 2, 3 show this sign.  Photo 4 shows a CDOT sign that is located next to the Stations Sign.  It is illuminated and shows the Holy Father receiving visitors from San Luis.

Welcome Sign:  Photos 5, 6, & 7 show the welcome sign at the bottom of the trail.  Although the sign posts are in good repair the sign itself could use repainting and re-lettering.  In Photo 5 you can see the overgrown vine/weed cover that is threatening to take over the sign.  Sanding and weatherproofing the sign posts would help this sign endure for several more years.

Trail above concrete section 1:  The local Council and Parish have hauled concrete up the steep slope to make a sidewalk and steps on a very steep portion of the trail.  Above this portion of the trail the trail once again returns to dirt and is badly rutted.  Photos 8 & 9 show this portion of the trail.  Many thousands of feet have worn a V shape into the hillside which has allowed erosion to occur on the base of the retaining wall.  Photo 9 shows the extent of the erosion.  This section of the trail needs to have a base course of gravel for drainage and a top course of packed walking surface.  As seen in Photo 8 it extends up to another short concrete section.  Along this section is also the dedication plaque.  The original rock stand has fallen down and the plaque is now displayed as shown in Photo 10.

Trail above second concrete section:  This section of the trail is somewhat flatter than the preceding sections but still shows considerable foot wear and erosion under the retaining wall.  Photos 11 & 12 show the traffic wear and erosion.  Again this section needs rebuilt with drainage and walking surfaces.  Photos 13, 14, & 15 show a gully that is being formed by runoff water coming down the trail.   A proper drainage path needs to be established here.  Rock abounds in this area to construct a drain and line a drain path down the mountain to spread the water, preventing erosion.  Photo 16 is taken looking back down the trail from the second concrete section.

Encroaching Pinon tree:  At several of the Stations, the native pinon trees have encroached on the statuary.  Although it pains us to cut down, or even prune a native tree it might become necessary in the future.  Photo 17 shows the first of these.

Now where do we go???  As you approach the top of the mountain the trail becomes much less evident.  See Photo 18.  Do you go left toward Gilbert?? Or right toward Claude??  The correct answer is to the right to continue on the stations in order.  Many people turn to the left which is actually the exit trail out of the stations.  This is the first of several places that need directional signage.  Photo 19 shows the muddy trail to the next station.  Photo 20 shows the equally muddy trail from the KC building to the restroom building on the right.

Photo 30 is of the Chapel taken from the porch of the KC building.  Photos 35 & 36 show the KC building from the Chapel courtyard.  Photo 35 shows the maintenance workers on the trail.

Rosary walk/Mexican Martyrs:  Photo 31 shows the prayer loop honoring the Mexican Martyrs.  This entire trail needs much work and proper signage to identify the stations and who they honor.  The local Chapter has funded signs for the Martyrs who were members of the Knights of Columbus.  Photo 32 shows yet another muddy trail leading from the KC building to one of the Stations.

Station 14 and Grotto:  The trail to the incomplete 14^th Station and Grotto area is sanded but retains water.  The sandy base is being absorbed by the clay soil and needs grading with drainage.

Outdoor lighting of the Chapel:  All of the outdoor floodlights of the Chapel are broken and inoperable.  The wiring is lying on top of the ground.  The wiring needs to be underground and the fixtures repaired.

Encroaching Pinon Tree #2:  Photo 37 shows an encroaching pinon tree into another Station.  Gilbert told us that the ground around the Station is often covered with Rosaries.  Perhaps the tree should be removed and some sort of seating installed there for people to pray at this station.

General Information and Thoughts:  With the exception of the trails on the top of the mesa, in general the trails are NOT accessible by skid loaders.  Moving materials down the face of the mountain is being done by wheelbarrow.  A powered cement wheelbarrow might possibly be of use to move material down the face.

Directional signage is non-existent on the trail and on the top of the mountain.  Many “shortcut” trails appear once you reach the top.   If these could be eliminated and proper signage installed the maintenance of the top section would be greatly facilitated. 

A drip system has been laid on top of the ground to provide irrigation water for flower tubs and plantings.