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Mont Goliath Nature Center |
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U.S. Department of Agriculture, U. S. Forest Service
Mount Goliath, Clear Creek County, Colorado
Project Description:Preservation of Colorado's indigenous landscapes is the mission of The Colorado Natural Areas. These areas are designed to preserve unique ecosystems for us and our future generations to enjoy. As part of this effort, a proposed nature center was recently constructed near the timberline at an elevation of 11,800 feet to highlight this rare alpine environment. The nature center was developed as a joint venture between the US Forest Service, Volunteers of Colorado, and the Denver Botanic Gardens and was developed to take advantage of the area's distinctive natural resources including stands of Bristlecone pine and rare arctic tundra. The access highway is the Mt. Evans Scenic Byway, Colorado 5, the highest paved road in America.
Client Issues
- High elevation construction
- Frost penetration
- Cost
Kleinfelder's Role
The proposed one-story, 1500 square foot Visitor's Center is an aesthetically-pleasing log and stone structure. In consists of a concrete slab-on-grade floor with a deck along the south, east and west sides of the building. An information center, restrooms and asphalt parking area are also included. Kleinfelder provided design-level geotechnical engineering services and laboratory testing for the building foundation and asphalt pavements. To reduce the cost, excavation for the test pits was accomplished with the use of a Forest Service backhoe. During the investigation, a pocket of existing fill was discovered within the building's footprint. It was not extensive and did not create any major complications to the foundation design. Because the season is so short at this elevation, the project was under an accelerated time schedule. As part of the local community effort, Kleinfelder donated a portion of our services to this project.
Client Benefits
Rapid turnaround. We also donated $400 of our fee to the project.
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