The Canyon Lakes Ranger District of the Roosevelt National Forest is happy to announce a few more areas impacted by the Cameron Peak Fire have reopened for winter recreation. Newly opened areas include the Lower Dadd Gulch Trail, Chambers Lake and Access Road, Long Draw Road (for over-snow use only and no overnight use), Long Draw Reservoir, the Neota Wilderness and the Joe Wright Ski Trail. For these open trails and roads, the area opened is 50 feet on either side of the trail or road.
Areas previously opened include the Zimmerman Lake Trailhead and restroom (which opens Zimmerman Lake, Zimmerman Loop, upper portion of the Meadows Trail and Montgomery Pass trails); Cameron Pass Trailhead and restroom (which opens the Cameron Connection Trail); and Joe Wright Trailhead and restroom (reservoir is open for ice fishing when appropriate). The Long Draw ski route and the lower portion of Meadows Trail are also open.
Most areas impacted by the fire remain closed for safety and natural resource protection. The general area that remains closed is all National Forest System lands east of the Laramie River Road north of the West Branch Trailhead and east of Colorado State Forest State Park south of the trailhead; west of County Roads 69, 63E, and 27; south of County Road 86; and north of Rocky Mountain Park and County Road 43. Details of the latest closure and map are available on the N.F. website.
Crews continue to evaluate other recreation areas as conditions allow. Forest Service staff and volunteer trail crews from the Cameron Peak Nordic Rangers and Poudre Wilderness Volunteers have worked hard to get these new areas open to the public. There are more than 120 miles of Forest Service trails within the Cameron Peak Fire perimeter and over 350 miles of Forest Service Roads. Some areas will not be safely accessible for evaluation until after the snow melts. Many factors come into play when determining when an area can reopen. Beyond the immediate risk of hazard trees, considerations have to be made for trail markers, erosion control and trail stabilization issues, damaged infrastructure like bridges, and safety signage.
Many people would like to help with recovery efforts on the Forest. The District is fortunate to have many wonderful organizations we work with regularly and will be integral to our recovery efforts. The Wildlands Restoration Volunteers and Poudre Wilderness Volunteers may help in hosting some public events that will be available on their websites, depending on COVID-19 protocols this upcoming season.
Jeff
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