UltraRob's Adventures

Colorado mountain bikers may find several of the state’s best trails off-limits if the Forest Service pushes through with a new directive. The agency wants to limit or prohibit bike access on the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), which includes the Monarch Crest, Rabbit Ears Pass, Peaks Trail and many sections of the Colorado Trail. In all, hundreds of miles of Colorado singletrack could be lost if mountain bikers don’t make their voices heard. There is more information on the IMBA website.

IMBA has a simple online form that makes it easy for you to send your opinion to the Forest Service. The deadline for comments is October 12th.

Northwave Bike Lizzard Carbon Mountain Bike Shoe Mens Regular Price: $139.95 $90.99 on sale

Northwave Bike Lizzard Mountain Bike Shoe Mens Regular Price: $94.95 $61.49 on sale

Northwave Bike Raptor SBS Mountain Bike Shoe Mens Regular Price: $149.95 $104.97 on sale

Labels: Colorado, Continental Divide Trail, mountain biking, trail access

The local meeting on the Pike and San Isabel National Forests management plan is tonight. This meeting was scheduled because people were turned away from the meeting in Black Forest a month ago. About 50 cars were turned away from that meeting because there wasn't enough parking. Tonight's location should be able to handle enough people. The meeting is from 5:30 - 9:00 PM at the DoubleTree - World Arena, 1775 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd.

Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to make it. If you can't make it but want to give your opinion, you can use the Need for Change Workshop Individual Worksheet. It says it has to be submitted by March 2nd which has already passed but since they're having the meeting tonight I'd think you could still send it in.

Rand McNally Colorado Springs Colorado Street Map Price: $7.95

Denver and Colorado Springs Colorado Vicinity Wall Map Price: $199.50

Colorado Springs Colorado Metro Wall Map Price: $155.00

Colorado Springs Colorado Wall Map Price: $199.50

Labels: hiking, mountain biking, Pike National Forest, San Isabel National Forest, trail access

Thursday night was the 2nd Colorado Springs Watershed Access Meeting. At the first meeting on February 6th, Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) had said there would be no access to the South Slope of Pikes Peak which has been off-limits since 1913. Several groups had been working with CSU to be able to complete the last section of the 60-mile Ring the Peak Trail and one other trail through that area.

I had planned on going to Thursday's meeting but I've been sick this week. Wednesday I came home from work early and slept for over 4 hours. I crawled out of bed and lay on the couch for a little over an hour before going back to bed for the night. Friday's Gazette had an article on it.

City Council members and the mayor and have had discussions with CSU officials and they now have promised to allow "accommodating recreational activity". They outlined a process for creating trails in areas that have long been off limits with trail planning starting this spring. I think this is good news although there weren't many details. Fishermen weren't happy since they've been wanting the reservoirs opened to fishing and that doesn't seem part of the plan. I think there should be trail access through the area away from reservoirs but I don't want vehicle access to the area. The easier the access the more people that will go. The biggest thing though is people that will hike 5 miles to get somewhere generally leave less trash and take better care of an area than those that will only walk a 100 yards.

Labels: hiking, mountain biking, Pikes Peak, trail access

After people were turned away from the Pike and San Isabel Forest Management Plan meeting a couple weeks ago, the National Forest promised to schedule another meeting in the Colorado Springs area. They've made good on their promise and have scheduled a meeting for March 6th. It will be held from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM at the Doubletree Hotel - World Arena, 1775 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd.

Labels: hiking, mountain biking, Pike National Forest, San Isabel National Forest, trail access

The revision to Management Plan for the Pike and San Isabel National Forests isn't the only issue that could affect trail access in the Pikes Peak region. The other issue is the Colorado Springs Watershed Access Policy. Not only would it affect mountain bikers but all trail users. Two meetings will be held this month and the first is tomorrow night from 6-8 PM. The next meeting will be Thursday, February 22 from 6-8 PM. Both meetings will be at the Leon Young Service Center.

The draft policy was presented to the public on November 28th, 2006. The Gazette had an article about it on December 13. At the meeting a map was shown that had 3 different zones on it. Zone 1 has no public access, Zone 2 has trail corridor access only and Zone 3 has limited public access. It's a little hard for me to figure out exactly where the boundaries of the zones are on the map since there's not much detail at least on the online version. In any case Zone 1 was drawn to not only include Coloraod Springs Utilities (CSU) property but big sections of Pike National Forest Land. Some of these areas include popular mountain biking and hiking trails. It seems that areas around the Forester Trail and Jones Park, the old Manitou Incline, Camerons Cone, etc. could be in restricted areas.

Jim Yount wrote the following in an e-mail to the Medicine Wheel Group

Scott Campbell of CSU has stated that the map was misunderstood and frustrating to those at the 1st meeting and that it is being revised for the 2nd public meeting. The revision will supposedly zone only CSU land (not National Forest) and he also has stated that the placing of Zone 2 corridors is ongoing and that all "accepted use" trails on CSU property will have Zone 2 corridors around them. However, CSU does manage National Forest Land, so they still might restrict access on land coincident with the first map but just not tell you that during the public process because it is separate from the Watershed Access Plan (I'm not a cynic!).

However, it is up to us to ensure that the trails we love are Zone 2 and not simply leave it up to CSU to define "accepted use." For example, he stated that official (numbered, like 701 for example) Forest Service Trails are "accepted use," as is Barr Trail, but that we shouldn't expect "social" trails to become Zone 2.

Although the South Slope watershed has been off-limts since 1913, several groups have worked with CSU and the Forest Service to come with a Pikes Peak Master Plan. It included two trails through the South Slope. One would connect the last 4.5 miles of the 60-mile Ring the Peak trail and the other one would connect Cheyenne Canon area trails with Barr Camp. I'd like to see those trails happen although I think it's good to have some of the South Slope restricted. I want the area to be protected and no more roads built. I don't think it's necessary though to make parts of the South Slope and west of Pikes Peak into a wildernes area like the Central Colorado Wilderness Coalition wants. As part of their Wilderness and Mountain Biking Guide, IMBA has a section on how to preserve areas like this without banning mountain bikes

Labels: hiking, mountain biking, Pikes Peak, trail access

The meeting about the Management Plan for the Pike and San Isabel National Forests was last night. According to an article on Gazette.com, 214 people got into the meeting but people in at least 50 cars were turned away because of insufficient parking. Forest Supervisor Bob Leaverton has promised that another meeting will be held here so everyone interested can attend. Meetings are still planned in Westcliffe, Pueblo, and Fairplay.

Labels: mountain biking, Pike National Forest, San Isabel National Forest, trail access

I've gotten a few e-mails including ones from IMBA and the Medicine Wheel Email List about the Management Plan for the Pike and San Isabel National Forests being revised. The Pike and San Isabel National Forests cover a huge area along the Front Range and into the central mountains. The area includes epic mountain bike rides like the Monarch Crest Trail, Buffalo Creek, sections of the Colorado and Continental Divide Trails, and numerous trails near Colorado Springs, Salida, Leadville, and Pueblo.

There is a page on the web that gives ways to get your opinion heard. The Forest Service is holding 7 public meetings. Two of them have already taken place. One is scheduled for this Tuesday in Denver and our Colorado Springs meeting is planned for Wednesday night. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend it but hopefully I'll be able to get some information on what happens there. I know at least one person from Pikes Peak Velo plans to go.

The biggest issue is some people would like to see the whole west and south slope of Pikes Peak, among 10 other places in central Colorado, be designated as Wilderness. I've spent plenty of time backpacking in wilderness areas and think they are important but they don't allow mountain bikes. According to the email on from theMedicine Wheel Email List, the Central Colorado Wilderness Coalition would like to see Wilderness designation and they are planning on attending/commenting in large numbers. If you can't make any of the meetings, you can send an email to r2_psicc_webmail@fs.fed.us or snail mail comments to

Pike-San Isabel National Forests
Attn: Forest Plan Revision Team
2840 Kachina Drive,
Pueblo, CO 81008

Labels: mountain biking, Pike National Forest, San Isabel National Forest, trail access