Antero Reservoir to be drained for drought management

Denver Water, in coordination with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, will close Antero Reservoir on May 1st to drain the reservoir to save water supply during the ongoing drought.

Antero Reservoir has the highest evaporation rate of any of Denver Water’s reservoirs, so draining and storing the water in Cheesman and Eleven Mile reservoirs will reduce system evaporation losses by about 4,000 acre-feet.

“We’re exploring as many ways as possible to be efficient with our water supply,” said Dave Bennett, water resource manager for Denver Water. “Antero is a drought reservoir designed to provide water to our customers during a severe drought. Moving water from Antero to Cheesman will allow us to make the water available for our customers and reduce evaporation losses to our system.

Denver Water is working closely with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to minimize the loss of fish during the drain and to allow the public to use the reservoir before it closes.

- Beginning Wednesday, March 20, the bag and possession limit on trout at Antero will be increased from two to eight fish with no minimum size restriction. All other fishing regulations apply.

- Immediately after the ice has melted off the reservoir, CPW staff will trap and relocate spawning trout. Once the fish have moved off the shoreline and inlet areas, the draining of the reservoir will increase significantly. CPW staff will install a series of screens below the reservoir to capture fish as they leave the reservoir.

- In March, the standard recreation regulations apply.
> South: Open 24 hours a day and camping is permitted.
> North: Open from a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset.

- Beginning in April, Antero Reservoir will be open for recreational use from a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset. No camping will be permitted. After the ice has melted, only hand-launched vessels will be allowed. No trailered boats will be permitted. Recreation will cease May 1st.

Drought conditions will determine when the reservoir can be refilled. The reservoir was also taken out of service to assist with water management during the drought that began in 2002.

Wildlife concerns and questions regarding fishing at Antero can be directed to Colorado Parks and Wildlife at 303-291-7227. For questions regarding Antero operations, contact Denver Water at 303-628-6117.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Unauthorized Snow Removal Hampers Usage of National Forest Road

A recent incident involving the unauthorized plowing of a road on the Medicine Bow National Forest has resulted in the temporary closure of the road to motorized wheeled vehicles, as well as disruption of over-the-snow recreation uses on the road.

Over a mile of the Barber Lake Road (Forest Road 351) on the Laramie Ranger District was plowed from Highway 130, and in addition to causing an inconvenience to other users, the responsible party has been cited by U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement for the plowing.

Until conditions permit or until May 15, the road will be closed to wheeled vehicles to protect the road base. Recreationists should be aware that the snow-packed, center portion of the road, which was used by both skiers and snowmobilers, no longer exists, necessitating alternate routes and caution when approaching the area from the northwest.

Cabin owners and users of the National Forest are reminded that snow removal or maintenance on a National Forest System (NFS) road requires a permit and an agreement of liability for damages that occur as a result of snow removal activities or resulting traffic on the road.

In recent years the illegal plowing of NFS roads has caused extensive damage and delayed openings and use of roads by up to three weeks.

Instances similar to Barber Lake have occurred in past years on the Medicine Bow/Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland (MBRTB) on NFS Road 500 near Albany, Wyo., Road 512 near Foxpark, Wyo., Road 111 near Arlington, Wyo. and in North Routt County, Colo., around the community of Clark.

There are many reasons why the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) does not plow snow on NFS roads when it appears that they could. Plowing snow on native or aggregate surfaced roads can lead to costly damage, such as ruts, due to increased traffic on wet roads. Additionally, roads plowed prematurely can result in public safety issues when road conditions are muddy or impassable. Ruts can channel muddy run-off water into nearby creeks, causing soil erosion and damage to fisheries. Also, per USFS guidelines money is not appropriated for snow plowing as part of the road maintenance program.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

The Via Ferrata in Telluride

Did you know there was a Via Ferrata in Telluride? No - me neither, until I ran into this video the other day.

First off, what exactly is a Via Ferrata? According to Wikipedia:

A via ferrata (Italian for "iron road") is a protected climbing route found in the Alps and certain other locations. The essence of a modern via ferrata is a steel cable which runs along the route and is periodically (every 10 to 33 feet) fixed to the rock. Using a via ferrata kit the climber can secure themselves to the cable, limiting any fall. The cable can also be used as aid to climbing, and additional climbing aids, such as iron rungs, pegs, carved steps and even ladders and bridges are often provided. Thus via ferrata allow otherwise dangerous routes to be undertaken without the risks associated with unprotected scrambling and climbing or need for climbing equipment.

Wikipedia goes on to state that "the origins of via ferrata date back to the nineteenth century, but via ferratas are strongly associated with the First World War, when several were built in the Dolomite mountain region of Italy to aid the movement of troops."

The Via Ferrata in Telluride was built in 2006 by Chuck Kroger, a local explorer and climber. Now known as The Krogerata, this thrilling technical hike, along the east end of the Telluride Canyon, offers spectacular views of Bridal Veil Falls and the Telluride Valley. You may want to note that the locals have been trying to keep this a secret. Good luck on that!



This video will give a much better perspective on the heights you'll achieve on this "hike":


Telluride Newb | Season 1 | EP 26 from Open Exposure on Vimeo.


For more information on the Telluride Via Ferrata, please click here.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Video: Rocky Mountain National Park

Another great video featuring the sights and wildlife of Rocky Mountain National Park, from Matt Brass:


Rocky Mountain National Park from Matt Brass on Vimeo.





Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Forest Service Warns that Spring Conditions can be Volatile

Spring in the Rockies brings with it a wide variety of weather conditions, and officials from the Medicine Bow and Routt National Forests (MBR) are reminding forest visitors to be prepared for all possible extremes.

Prompting this message is a recent string of lost or stranded recreationists, and fatal accidents. Just this past weekend there were multiple groups of snowmobilers that needed search and rescue assistance in north central Colorado, and the previous weekend there were both avalanche and snowmobile fatalities in the same area.

Remember that days beginning as sunny and warm can end up with blizzard conditions, resulting in navigation difficulties for even the most seasoned outdoor enthusiasts. Additionally, periods of warm weather can create a freeze-thaw cycle, and thus an icy base layer of snow. Snow accumulation on that icy layer and high winds can then make the snowpack unstable and put avalanche conditions at a dangerous level.

Current avalanche conditions across the MBR range from moderate to considerable, but can change daily. Deep persistent slabs do exist and are hard to trigger, but the consequences of releasing one could be deadly.

Forest visitors are urged to know the conditions and weather forecasts in the area you plan to visit.

Following are safety recommendations for National Forest visitors during the winter/spring:

* There is no avalanche control and forest users must know the snow conditions and their abilities.

* Conditions can change rapidly in the backcountry. Be prepared for extreme conditions, carry appropriate survival gear and be prepared for self-rescue.

* Remember these safety items: shovel, beacon, probe, and KNOWLEDGE.

* Don’t recreate alone.

* Know how to use your emergency gear. Items such as an avalanche beacon are not useful if they cannot be properly used.

* Much terrain throughout the Rocky Mountain region is subject to avalanches. When traveling or recreating in those areas, you are responsible for the safety of yourself and those around you.

* Get avalanche savvy and take a certified avalanche course.

* Pick up a map of the area you plan to visit. Recreation maps, such as the Wyoming State Trails Snowmobile maps, often show avalanche prone areas.

Although the majority of avalanche accidents occur in the backcountry, an avalanche can occur in areas thought to be safe. Ski areas provide a high level of avalanche control on their managed slopes within bounds. Skiers and riders are reminded to stay out of closed and roped off areas and use the buddy system.

Backcountry users should also be aware of potential risks. They should be skilled at recognizing potential avalanche areas and snowpack conditions, and should be able to act accordingly. It is recommended that backcountry users perform careful snowpack evaluations and stability tests prior to entering an avalanche-prone area. There are typically plenty of routes for safer backcountry travel in avalanche country. Be able to recognize and use them as needed.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com