Category Archives: Trails

August Trail Night

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FOMP needs you for this work session!
Tuesday August 12 at 6:00 PM 

FOMP is pleased to be holding a volunteer trail work and tree trimming/seedling release work session!

Note: We really need volunteers to come out even if it is only once per year. We need new faces to help us maintain our trails – have you been out enjoying the trails this year? Please consider spending one evening per year giving back so we can keep the trails open! — Thanks!]

We will be working on trails that desperately need some TLC after a long and busy spring and heavy summer rains – as well as some neglect while we have been working to clean up Mt. Herman Rd after the recent recreational shooting ban. We will also be performing seedling release – this involves cutting back scrub oak growth and removing any remaining root balls that are sticking up that could injure people, horses, or bikes.

We will also hold our monthly BOD meeting in the parking lot prior to the start of activities.

FOMP and USFS provide all necessary tools. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for performing outdoor landscaping type of work. Volunteers should bring leather gloves, a personal water supply, eye protection, sunscreen, and bug repellent. We meet rain or shine unless there is lightning active in the area. In the event that you are joining us late we try to leave a note at the trail head parking lot or you can call Chris Tirpak (719.439.8865) to find out where in the Preserve we are working that evening.

We make every effort to accommodate volunteer preferences and abilities at each event. Generally we perform activities such as water bar building or renovation, trail renovation, maintenance, and trimming, etc. So, pretty much everything from trimming back scrub oak or digging lots of dirt to moving boulders. We assign duties based on interest and capabilities. Kids are welcome to join their parents; however, we do ask that you evaluate whether this is an appropriate activity for your child or not.

Meet at the main trailhead parking lot at the corner of Mt. Herman Rd and Nursery Rd at 6:00PM! (map: http://bit.ly/FOMPMeetingSpot)

Thanks and we hope to see you out there!

Mt. Herman Rd. Cleanup

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USFS Closes Mt. Herman Road to recreational shooting!

The USFS has listened to and stepped up for the community and closed Mt. Herman Rd and many of the spur roads between Monument and Rampart Range Road to recreational shooting.  It is time for us to support them in this decision and help clean up and restore Mount Herman. Information and maps about the closure are linked below.

More importantly we need you to come join us and help with the cleanup and restoration efforts.

FOMP is organising trash cleanups at the recently closed shooting areas on Saturday July 12th from 8am-noon and Tuesday July 15th 6pm-dusk (this will replace our regularly planned trail work and seedling release work session).  The main area we will be working is approximately 4.5 miles from the main parking lot up Mount Herman Road (MHR).  If you are unclear where this area is , just wear leather gloves and sturdy footwear (there will be broken glass and other similar hazards), bring a rake and personal water supply (a hat, bug spray and sunscreen  are also good ideas) and head up MHR until you see us.  We are purposely only going half a day because this cleanup, involving up to 16 distinct areas all the way to Rampart Range Road, will take the rest of the season to get cleaned up and restoration started.  Show up for the entire time if you can or just an hour or two, or even just bike-hike-run-horse ride on through and fill a bag up on your way. Every little bit helps!

If you have any questions about the cleanup effort please contact Jon Nordby (719.640.1347) or Chris Tirpak (719.439.8865). Large groups are welcome so rally your group and come join us. 

Additional Information on the closure can be found on these posts on the website:

Recreational Shooting Closure Maps and Order
https://fomp.org/2014/07/09/recreational-shooting-closure-maps-and-order/

Recreational Shooting Closure Implemented on Pikes Peak District
https://fomp.org/2014/07/08/recreational-shooting-closure-implemented-on-pikes-peak-district/

Thanks and we hope to see you out there soon!
FOMP

Recreational Shooting Closure Implemented on Pikes Peak District

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FOMP is glad to see the USFS taking action to make the area safe for all forest users!

FOMP will be sponsoring a cleanup day soon, please stay tuned!

Release Date: Jul 7, 2014

Contact(s): Barb Timock, Public Affairs Officer, 719-553-1415

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO., July 8, 2014…Effective July, 7, 2014, the Pike National Forest – Pikes Peak Ranger District has issued an Order closing a 9,567 acre area in El Paso County to recreational shooting. The Order is necessary to provide for public safety and to protect natural resources and facilities. It prohibits discharging a firearm, air rifle or gas gun in the designated area.

Erin Connelly, Forest and Grassland Supervisor of the Pike & San Isabel National Forests, Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands (PSICC) said, “My focus is on ensuring public and resource protection while more than 94 percent of the PSICC remains open to this sport. This closure will improve the overall safety for visitors to the PSICC.”

The Order affects the area surrounding Mount Herman Road (Forest Service Road 320) from Monument, Colorado west to the Teller County line. This area does not provide for safe or reasonable recreational shooting due to the steep terrain and concentrated public use. The area surrounding Mount Herman Road is particularly rugged and contains a variety of recreational opportunities. Due to the proximity of this area to Denver and Colorado Springs, the volume of recreational shooting has increased substantially in recent years.

Hunters are unaffected by this Order.  The Order does not impact individuals with valid State of Colorado hunting licenses who are actively involved in hunting during an open season.

More details may be found @: http://prdp2fs.ess.usda.gov/alerts/psicc/alerts-notices(Scroll to Closures).

Note: above link should probably be: http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/psicc/alerts-notices

Extra Volunteer Opportunity

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FOMP needs you for this work session!

Tuesday June 17 at 6:00 PM
 

FOMP is pleased to be holding an extra volunteer trail work and tree trimming/seedling release work session!

We will be working on finishing a minor re-route project we started yesterday evening and did not have time to complete. We need as many volunteers as possible to come polish in this new section, shape drains, cut scrub oak, and remove stumps.

FOMP and USFS provide all necessary tools. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for performing outdoor landscaping type of work. Volunteers should bring leather gloves, a personal water supply, eye protection, sunscreen, and bug repellent. We meet rain or shine unless there is lightning active in the area. In the event that you are joining us late we try to leave a note at the trail head parking lot or you can call Jon Nordby (719.640.1347) to find out where in the Preserve we are working that evening.
We make every effort to accommodate volunteer preferences and abilities at each event. Generally we perform activities such as water bar building or renovation, trail renovation, maintenance, and trimming, etc. So, pretty much everything from trimming back scrub oak or digging lots of dirt to moving boulders. We assign duties based on interest and capabilities. Kids are welcome to join their parents; however, we do ask that you evaluate whether this is an appropriate activity for your child or not.
Meet at the main trailhead parking lot at 6:00PM! (map: http://bit.ly/FOMPMeetingSpot)
Thanks and we hope to see you out there!

June Trail Work Session

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FOMP needs you for this work session!

Tuesday June 10 at 6:00 PM
 

FOMP is pleased to be holding a volunteer trail work and tree trimming/seedling release work session!

We will be working on trails that desperately need some TLC after along and busy winter! We will also be performing seedling release – his involves cutting back scrub oak growth and removing any remaining root balls that are sticking up that could injure people, horses, or bikes.

We will also hold our monthly BOD meeting in the parking lot prior to the start of activities.

FOMP and USFS provide all necessary tools. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for performing outdoor landscaping type of work. Volunteers should bring leather gloves, a personal water supply, eye protection, sunscreen, and bug repellent. We meet rain or shine unless there is lightning active in the area. In the event that you are joining us late we try to leave a note at the trail head parking lot or you can call Jon Nordby (719.640.1347) or Chris Tirpak (719.439.8865) to find out where in the Preserve we are working that evening.
We make every effort to accommodate volunteer preferences and abilities at each event. Generally we perform activities such as water bar building or renovation, trail renovation, maintenance, and trimming, etc. So, pretty much everything from trimming back scrub oak or digging lots of dirt to moving boulders. We assign duties based on interest and capabilities. Kids are welcome to join their parents; however, we do ask that you evaluate whether this is an appropriate activity for your child or not.
Meet at the main trailhead parking lot at 6:00PM! (map: http://bit.ly/FOMPMeetingSpot)
Thanks and we hope to see you out there!

April 2014 BOD Meeting

BOD Meeting Time:

Tuesday April 8, 2014 at 7:00PM

BOD Meetings are held in the Fire Center Classroom. For those of you unfamiliar with the classroom building make your first left into the Fire Center after Mt. Herman Rd. turns to dirt, follow the road all the way into the administrative area and the classroom building is the first building on your right.

Agenda:

  • HotShot Potluck – planning
  • Newsletter copies are all gone, decide to print more or not
  • Keddrick Bowen Eagle Scout Project
  • Feedback to the USFS on event permits sent
  • Strategy for trail closed for re-vegetation signs
  • Open forum for any discussion

Thanks and we hope to see you there!
FOMP

Monthly Volunteer Session! July 2013 Edition

FOMP needs you for this work session!

Tuesday July 16 at 6:00 PM

FOMP is pleased to be holding a volunteer trail work and tree trimming/seedling release work session!

FOMP and USFS provide all necessary tools. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for performing outdoor landscaping type of work. Volunteers should bring leather gloves, a personal water supply, eye protection, sunscreen, and bug repellent. We meet rain or shine unless there is lightning active in the area. In the event that you are joining us late we try to leave a note at the trail head parking lot or you can call Jon Nordby (719.640.1347) or Chris Tirpak (719.439.8865) to find out where in the Preserve we are working that evening.

We make every effort to accommodate volunteer preferences and abilities at each event. Generally we perform activities such as water bar building or renovation, trail renovation, maintenance, and trimming, etc. So, pretty much everything from trimming back scrub oak or digging lots of dirt to moving boulders. We assign duties based on interest and capabilities. Kids are welcome to join their parents; however, we do ask that you evaluate whether this is an appropriate activity for your child or not.

Meet at the main trailhead parking lot at 6:00PM! (map: http://bit.ly/FOMPMeetingSpot)

Thanks and we hope to see you out there!

FOMP

Waldo Canyon Burn Area Re-opening

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Just in time for Memorial Day weekend!

—

The U. S. Forest Service (USFS) announced Tuesday that it expects to open over 40 percent of the Waldo Canyon Burn Area to visitors Friday, May 24, 2013.

The opening will include the Rampart Reservoir Recreation Area trail, campgrounds, picnic sites and National Forest System Roads 307, 311 and 313 (also known as the Schubarth Road).

According to District Ranger Alan Hahn, “Since the Waldo Canyon fire, we have accomplished a considerable about of work at the recreation sites and the trail around the Reservoir. Our goal is to provide a safe environment for forest visitors.”

Next Spring, forest managers will re-evaluate and determine if additional acres can be open to the public.

The remainder of the Waldo Canyon Burn Area will be closed until further notice.

The Waldo Canyon Trail #640 is not open because the steep valleys pose public danger during a major rain event which could trap visitors in low lying areas, according to the USFS.

Small water craft with electric motors can be launched from the shore at Rampart Reservoir. Visitors are cautioned that the water level at the Reservoir is expected to be low and the boat launch and ramp will be closed. No boats or motor vehicles will be allowed to cross the dam. Nichols Reservoir, south of the dam, is empty and is included in the new Closure Order. Stanley Canyon Reservoir is also empty.

Public safety is a challenge because of the Burn Area’s proximity to Colorado Springs and heavy visitor use in the past.

Violators are subject to a maximum fine of $5,000.

The revised Waldo Canyon Fire Closure Special Order and map will be located on the web at:http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/psicc/alerts-notices/?aid=14836.

 

Monthly Work Session

FOMP needs you for this work session!

Tuesday May 14 at 6:00 PM
FOMP is pleased to be holding a volunteer trail work and tree trimming/seedling release work session!

We will be working on the newly cut fireline area to release small pine seedlings. This involves cutting back scrub oak growth and removing any remaining root balls that are sticking up that could injure people, horses, or bikes.

We will also hold our monthly BOD meeting in the parking lot prior to the start of activities. We will cover new oil and gas drilling information, shooting on Mt. herman Rd., and budget.

FOMP and USFS provide all necessary tools. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for performing outdoor landscaping type of work. Volunteers should bring leather gloves, a personal water supply, eye protection, sunscreen, and bug repellent. We meet rain or shine unless there is lightning active in the area. In the event that you are joining us late we try to leave a note at the trail head parking lot or you can call Jon Nordby (719.640.1347) or Chris Tirpak (719.439.8865) to find out where in the Preserve we are working that evening.

We make every effort to accommodate volunteer preferences and abilities at each event. Generally we perform activities such as water bar building or renovation, trail renovation, maintenance, and trimming, etc. So, pretty much everything from trimming back scrub oak or digging lots of dirt to moving boulders. We assign duties based on interest and capabilities. Kids are welcome to join their parents; however, we do ask that you evaluate whether this is an appropriate activity for your child or not.
Meet at the main trailhead parking lot at 6:00PM! (map: http://bit.ly/FOMPMeetingSpot)