Temporary Closure of the Parika Lake and Baker Gulch Area

The USDA Forest Service is temporarily closing the area around Parika Lake and Baker Gulch in Grand County from July 31 to Aug. 4, as Colorado Parks and Wildlife assists the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest with non-native fish removal in the area. The trailhead for this lake is located within Rocky Mountain National Park.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is conducting this operation as part of the Poudre Headwaters Project, an effort to reintroduce greenback cutthroat trout to the headwaters of the Cache la Poudre River in Larimer County. The Grand Ditch, located in Grand County, acts as a connection for fish populations in tributaries upstream of the project area. The removal of non-native species in Parika Lake and Baker Gulch is a vital step in the preparation for the reintroduction of greenback cutthroat trout. The greenback cutthroat trout is Colorado's State Fish and is listed as "Threatened" under the Endangered Species Act.

Parika Lake and Baker Gulch are both located in the Never Summer Wilderness. The lake has historically been stocked with brook trout, which outcompete the native greenback and present an enormous threat to the viability of the eventual population of the greenback in the Poudre Headwaters Project. Sterile, non-reproducing brook trout will later be reintroduced to maintain the recreational opportunity at the lake. Unable to reproduce, the sterile brook trout do not present a threat to the greenback in long-term population dynamics. This removal is done using rotenone, an Environmental Protection Agency-approved organic compound used for decades to control fish populations.

As part of the reintroduction project, the Sulphur Ranger District is temporarily closing the area around Parika Lake and a portion of Baker Gulch for public health and safety during the non-native fish removal activities. The closure includes a quarter-mile buffer around Parika Lake and Baker Gulch and segments of Forest System Trails 29 and 29.1 that fall within the buffer area (see map).

Subsequent phases of treatment in the Poudre Headwaters Project will establish approximately 37 miles of stream and 300 acres of lake habitats for greenback cutthroat trout. More information about the Poudre Headwaters Project can be found here. 

 Based on the closure map, it appears that the trail to Baker Pass will remain open.



Jeff
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Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
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Sprague Lake Boardwalk Replacement Project Starting Monday, July 31

Work to start the repair of the Sprague Lake Boardwalk will begin on Monday, July 31st. The majority of the Sprague Lake Trail, accessed from Bear Lake Road, will remain open to park visitors. There will be a full closure in place for a small portion of the Sprague Lake as crews work to replace and repair a 210-foot-long section. Because of this closure, the trail will only be accessible as an out and back instead of a loop.

The initial boardwalk was created in 2000. During the Sprague Lake Boardwalk Replacement Project, the park’s trail crew, assisted by a Rocky Mountain Conservancy Conservation Corps trail crew, will replace failing wooden boards, as well as widen a section of the boardwalk. Crews will also repair the substructure by replacing with steel beams to extend the total life of the bridge. These improvements will improve accessibility for visitors who use wheelchairs and strollers. The project will also improve two scenic overlooks. Once complete in the fall of 2023, the new Sprague Lake Boardwalk will look very similar to the Lily Lake Boardwalk.

This project is funded by park entrance fees to help improve visitor experience and protect resources for future generations.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Fatality on Mount Ida Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park

On the afternoon of Monday, July 17, a 51-year-old male from Carencro, Louisiana was found unresponsive a little over one mile from the Mount Ida Trailhead by park visitors hiking in the area. They notified park rangers via a personal locator beacon and began CPR on the individual. Park rangers responded to the scene and continued CPR and initiated advanced medical care. The man was later pronounced deceased.

As is standard protocol the incident is under investigation. Park staff conducted recovery efforts via a litter carryout to the Mount Ida Trailhead. The man’s body was transferred to the Grand County Coroner’s Office who will determine the cause of death. The man’s name will be released by the coroner’s office after next of kin are notified.

The park was assisted by Grand County Sheriff’s Office, Grand County EMS, Grand Lake Fire and Classic Air Medical, stationed in Steamboat Springs.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Reminder: Wild Basin Road to close to all uses beginning today

Beginning July 18, through Friday, July 21, the Wild Basin Road in Rocky Mountain National Park will be closed to all uses, including vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians for road maintenance. This closure will occur at the Wild Basin Entrance Station and will include the entire two-mile section of the road to the Wild Basin Trailhead.

The park’s roads crew will be spreading gravel and grading this narrow road to address ruts, potholes and help with drainage. Due to the road being closed to all uses from July 18 through July 21, visitors should avoid this area of Rocky Mountain National Park during this time.

The trailhead parking area for the Sandbeach Lake Trail will not be impacted by this closure



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

Volunteer clean-up project on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park

Are you interested in participating in a volunteer clean-up project?

Rocky Mountain National Park and the Rocky Mountain Conservancy are hosting a clean-up project on the west side of the park. Participants will meet at the Holzwarth Historic Site Parking Area on Friday, July 21, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This family-friendly event is fun for all ages! Registration is required. For more details and to sign up, visit www.RMConservancy.org/volunteer.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park