Fireman with Shovel
Honors the fire crews from across the Four Corners who answered the call and worked long shifts to save homes and forest.
Directions
No. 1 — Fireman with Shovel
Around the lake · Tour of Carvings
The Tour of Carvings
Ringing Vallecito Lake are 14 sculptures chainsawed from the standing trunks of trees killed in the 2002 Missionary Ridge Fire. Together they tell the story of the fire, the people and animals caught in it, and the valley's recovery — a free, self-guided loop you can drive in an afternoon.
This page brings the whole tour together: the story, what each carving depicts, and a map of where to find all 14. It's a local tribute — the tour itself is a project of the Vallecito Lake Chamber of Commerce.
Born from the Missionary Ridge Fire
In June and July of 2002, the Missionary Ridge Fire burned about 73,000 acres across the Durango and Vallecito Lake area — roughly 13,000 of them severely — and much of that worst burning happened right around the lake. Fueled by deep drought, heat, low humidity, and overgrown forest, the fire ran for roughly five and a half weeks before crews held a full perimeter. One firefighter, Alan Wyatt, lost his life.
As the valley began to recover, artist Chad Haspels turned the blackened trunks left standing into a series of carvings — a way to honor the firefighters, first responders, neighbors, and wildlife of that summer, and to mark the land coming back to life. There are 14 carvings in all. Look at the very top of each one: Haspels carved a flame into every sculpture as a dedication to the 2002 fire.
- 14 carvings
- 2002 Missionary Ridge Fire
- ~73,000 acres burned
- 39 days to contain
Where the carvings are
All 14 stops, mapped from each carving's published GPS coordinates. Tap a numbered pin for its name and turn-by-turn directions, or scroll down for the full list with photos. The loop runs roughly south to north around the reservoir.
Map tiles couldn't load. You may be offline — every carving is still listed with directions below.
Map data OpenStreetMap contributors. Carving coordinates courtesy of the Tour of Carvings.
All 14 carvings
What each one depicts, in tour order. Use the “Directions” link to navigate straight to any carving.
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You found all 14 — nicely done!
Black Bear & Cubs
A sow and her cubs, for the wildlife displaced by the fire — families of every kind forced to flee.
Directions
No. 2 — Black Bear & Cubs
Mountain Lion
A lion easing down a rock ledge — a nod to the big cats that range these forests and were pushed out by the burn.
Directions
No. 3 — Mountain Lion
Sheriff with Radio
For the La Plata County Sheriff's Office — traffic control, evacuations, and the daily briefings that kept residents informed.
Directions
No. 4 — Sheriff with Radio
Alan Wyatt Memorial
A memorial to firefighter Alan Wyatt, who died fighting the fire. It was carved from a still-rooted trunk whose top was sheared off by a fire-driven thermal vortex.
Directions
No. 5 — Alan Wyatt Memorial
EMT & Eagle
An EMT beneath an eagle, for the medics and the many volunteers who joined the effort.
Directions
No. 6 — EMT & Eagle
Rebirth of Vallecito
Instead of flames, a rising sun over returning trees, ground cover, and animals — the valley coming back to life.
Directions
No. 7 — Rebirth of Vallecito
Firefighter with Chainsaw
A sawyer, modeled on an Oregon firefighter, for the crews who traveled from across the country to help.
Directions
No. 8 — Firefighter with Chainsaw
Firefighter & Slurry Bomber
A firefighter on the line as a slurry bomber runs overhead — many agencies working as one.
Directions
No. 9 — Firefighter & Slurry Bomber
Firefighter with Raccoon
A firefighter with “Rocky,” an orphaned raccoon rescued nearby who returned to the door for food all the following winter.
Directions
No. 10 — Firefighter with Raccoon
Doe & Fawn
A doe and fawn, remembering the six-week-old fawn a firefighter carried to safety from under a log.
Directions
No. 11 — Doe & Fawn
Lynx & Eagle
A lynx and an eagle, for the valley's wildlife — bald eagles gather along the lake in winter.
Directions
No. 12 — Lynx & Eagle
Fireman with Hose
For the professional and volunteer firefighters who answered every emergency in the valley.
Directions
No. 13 — Fireman with Hose
Colorado Mounted Ranger
The mounted rangers who rode rough terrain to move firefighters and supplies and to rescue people and animals.
Directions
No. 14 — Colorado Mounted Ranger
All fourteen. You've walked the whole story — the fire, the people, the coming back. Tell a friend.
About this tour
The Tour of Carvings is a project of the Vallecito Lake Chamber of Commerce. The carving history, locations, and reference photos here are courtesy of the Chamber's official tour site — please visit it for the live tour and consider supporting their work.
Official tour & map Donate to the tour