Historic Squaw Mountain Fire Lookout available to rent starting this summer

The Clear Creek Ranger District announced last week that the Squaw Mountain Fire Lookout on the Arapaho National Forest near Idaho Springs will be available to the public. Starting July 1, 2013, members of the public will be able to rent the lookout for overnight stays.

The Squaw Mountain Fire Lookout is listed in the National Historic Lookout Register and is available for overnight rental starting July 1, 2013 throughout the year. Renters will have the chance to experience staying in a fire lookout with an incredible panoramic view of Denver, Mount Evans and other snow-capped peaks.

Volunteers from the Colorado and Utah chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association have been working with the U.S. Forest Service since 2007 to restore the lookout to its historic state. The lookout tower contains a 1930s era fire finder and historic photos depicting the life of a Forest Service fire lookout.

Squaw Mountain is the first fire lookout tower available for rent near the Front Range.

“We think people will enjoy this one-of-a-kind opportunity to spend a few nights in a historic lookout that is situated in a rustic, beautiful setting,” said Deb Ryon, acting Clear Creek District Ranger.

The fee is $80 per night plus a $9 reservation fee. The Squaw Mountain Lookout accommodates up to four people and includes an electric stove, refrigerator, heat, beds, table and chairs, dishes and outdoor toilet. Guests must hike a mile from the parking area on a steep dirt road to the Lookout, packing in all water and supplies. Guests must pack out all garbage. Fees generated pay for lookout operation and maintenance.

Once the lookout is open, people will be able to make reservations online by visiting the National Recreation Reservation Service at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

For more information or questions please call Clear Creek Ranger District Visitor Center at (303) 567-3000.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Memorial Day Weekend on the Arapaho National Forest

Eleven campgrounds on the Sulphur Ranger District in Grand County, Colorado will be open today for the Memorial Day Weekend, and with a forecast of warm weather and sunny skies, it should be an ideal time to enjoy the Arapaho National Forest.

Late spring snows and recent rains have left much of the Forest’s road system soggy and mucky, so gates will remain closed across much of the Forest, and seasonal closures are still in place to protect the road surface. According to the ranger district’s Motor Vehicle Use Map, which can be obtained for free at the district office in Granby, the majority of National Forest roads become available for use around June 15th. The lower portions of several roads, including Vasquez, Beaver Creek, Crooked Creek and Kawuneeche may have a few sites available for dispersed camping, although the ground in these areas may still be wet.

The Arapaho National Recreation Area is an ideal place to recreate at this time of year with seven developed picnic areas, six campgrounds (all of which are open) great fishing piers, boat ramps and trailheads. Lower than average water levels in Lake Granby create expansive beaches where the family can play. Monarch Lake loop is a very popular early season trail and offers a visitors cabin where you can learn more about the history of the area. Portions of that trail, as well as many others on the district, are still snowy and muddy, so if you plan to hike the entire loop be sure to wear appropriate footwear.

In the Winter Park area, Idlewild and St. Louis Creek campgrounds both open this weekend as well. Denver Creek Campground on Colorado Highway 125 is also open. Water may not be available in all campgrounds so be sure to call ahead or check the Sulphur Ranger District recreation webpage.

Due to the wet conditions, off-highway vehicles are currently restricted from riding on motorized trails and roads until the seasonal closure is lifted on June 15th. And, while mountain bikes may not be prohibited from various trails, staying on dry trails will help minimize resource damage.

For additional information you can stop by the Sulphur Ranger District Office at 9 Ten Mile Drive in Granby to pick up maps, information about wildlife, souvenirs and books. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and holidays. You can also call 970-887-4100, or visit the USFS website at www.fs.usda.gov\arp.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Arapaho National Forest to provide updates at town meetings

The Sulphur Ranger District is scheduled to update town boards around Grand County over the next several weeks regarding its current projects and planning efforts.

To learn more about upcoming U.S. Forest Service roadside hazard tree work, trail projects, fuels reduction efforts and forest health projects, plan to attend one of these upcoming community meetings. The presentation takes about 30 minutes and includes time for questions.

Presentations are scheduled:

* Grand Lake Town Hall: 3 p.m. April 22

* Fraser Town Hall: 7 p.m. May 1

* Winter Park Town Hall: 8 a.m. May 21

* Granby Town Hall: 6:30 p.m. May 28

To schedule a presentation with your community group, please contact Reid Armstrong at 970-887-4145. To receive regular updates about Sulphur Ranger District projects, email SRDupdates@fs.fed.us.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ski with a US Forest Service snow ranger, learn about the land

Snow riders at Loveland Ski Area will have two opportunities this spring to take a run with a U.S. Forest Service snow ranger: March 30 and April 27. This is a chance to learn about topics ranging from glacial geology and winter ecology to local history and the longstanding partnership between the ski area and the Forest Service. Skiers of all ages are welcome, however the tour is designed for ages 8 and up.

The tour will start from the Ptarmigan Roost Cabin at the top of Chair 2 at 10:30 a.m. and 1: 30 p.m. The group will take easy-designated trails. Preregistration is not required. Groups will be limited to 30 people.

Loveland Ski Area is celebrating its 75th year of operation and is located on and permitted by the Arapaho National Forest.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Arapaho National Forest Officials Warn Snowmobilers About Boundaries

Sulphur Ranger District officials would like to remind snowmobilers that their machines, like all motorized equipment, are prohibited in wilderness areas. On the Arapaho National Forest, wilderness areas include Byers Peak, Vasquez Peak, Indian Peaks and Never Summer.

To protect its research, the Fraser Experimental Forest also does not allow snowmobile use.

“This winter we have had occurrences of snowmobiles entering both wilderness areas and the Fraser Experimental Forest,” said Brad Orr, recreation staff for the Sulphur Ranger District. “We make an effort to inform riders but, ultimately, it is their responsibility to know where they are and to avoid taking their machines into designated wilderness areas and the Fraser Experimental Forest.”

Some snowmobilers either have chosen to ignore the boundary signs or aren’t aware of where they are riding and are unintentionally entering wilderness areas and the Fraser Experimental Forest. Violations for possessing or operating a snowmobile in a prohibited area are punishable by fines of up to $5,000, six months in jail and the forfeiture of snowmobiles and other items involved.

“Fortunately, there are many excellent areas for snowmobiling on the Sulphur Ranger District,” Orr added. These include the Grand Lake Trail System which can be accessed from County Road 4, the Church Park area that can be accessed off County Road 50 by parking at the Crooked Creek parking area and many trails accessed by parking at the Elk Creek Parking Area located off County Road 73 near the Town of Fraser.

Snowmobiling is a very popular activity on the National Forest that attracts visitors from across the country and provides economic support to many local communities. Sulphur Ranger District provides more than 200 miles of designated snowmobile routes and thousands of acres of off-trail areas for snowmobilers to enjoy.

Snowmobile use maps are available at the Forest Service office in Granby and online.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com