The U.S. Forest Service is holding an open house on their proposal for trails and access in the Bear Creek watershed. The open house is Thursday, April 4, 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, at the Leon Young Service Center for CS Utilities, Pikes Peak Room, 1521 Hancock Expressway.
The proposal would affect all user groups, hikers, bikers, equestrians, and motorized users. The Forest Service is seeking comments from all users.
The proposed changes are in response to the issues surrounding the greenback cutthroat trout in Bear Creek. Under the proposal, the Forest Service would close a total of 6.4 miles of trails and re-route some of these by constructing 2.9 miles of new trails. Trails affected by closures include trails 666, 667, 668, 701, 720A and 622A. Theses closures would be to all users. The proposal also converts 0.6 miles of non-motorized trail on Seven Bridges, 622, to motorized use.
The current ban prohibiting camping and campfires in the watershed would become long-term, and access would be restricted to on-route only.
As you can see, these changes would affect all trail users. The Forest Service wants your comments. Please try to attend the open house, 4 to 9 pm, Thurs, April 4.
It’s an open house, so you can stop by, learn more, and provide your thoughts anytime in the 5 hours, and stay as short or as long as you want.
You can find the assessment, maps of current trails and the proposed system, and other information on the USFS web site at:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/psicc/home/?cid=STELPRDB5397304
Links for the documents and maps are at the bottom of that page.
You can also go to the USFS web page for the Pike and San Isabel Forests, scroll to the bottom, and find the link for the Bear Creek Watershed Assessment
Here is the current map: https://fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5412302.pdf
Here is their proposed map: https://fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5412304.pdf
Very scary stuff, since it appears that Jones Park will be closed to all users!
