Chaffee County Camping Restrictions
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Chaffee County Camping Restrictions
Not sure if this info is widely known in the 14ers community, so wanted to share it.
https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/ ... 012291/510
TLDR: The BLM is considering closing the vast majority of campsites on BLM land in the Chaffee county area. The only 14er approach this looks like it effects is Shavano (which has already seen significant closures of camping ‘spots’ in recent years). For the whitewater crowd this looks to be shutting down much of the camping near the Arkansas river.
The interactive map linked on the page shows specific campsites and whether they’ll remain open or not depending on various management plans. The majority of the little tent-symbols are red indicating closures in the majority of management plans.
I’m of mixed opinions on this. Less camping is typically not a good thing but given the BLM and forest service are incapable of getting the public to follow even basic backcountry behaviors (packing out trash, not having fires during burn-bans, etc) this seems to be the new normal as population growth continues degrading the quality of Colorado’s outdoor spaces. I’m disappointed and saddened to see the front-range nonsense extending it’s reach this far southwest.
https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/ ... 012291/510
TLDR: The BLM is considering closing the vast majority of campsites on BLM land in the Chaffee county area. The only 14er approach this looks like it effects is Shavano (which has already seen significant closures of camping ‘spots’ in recent years). For the whitewater crowd this looks to be shutting down much of the camping near the Arkansas river.
The interactive map linked on the page shows specific campsites and whether they’ll remain open or not depending on various management plans. The majority of the little tent-symbols are red indicating closures in the majority of management plans.
I’m of mixed opinions on this. Less camping is typically not a good thing but given the BLM and forest service are incapable of getting the public to follow even basic backcountry behaviors (packing out trash, not having fires during burn-bans, etc) this seems to be the new normal as population growth continues degrading the quality of Colorado’s outdoor spaces. I’m disappointed and saddened to see the front-range nonsense extending it’s reach this far southwest.
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Re: Chaffee County Camping Restrictions
Well, it had to happen at some point. It's neither the first, nor the last, casualty of hashtag-vanlife in Colofornia.
- justiner
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Re: Chaffee County Camping Restrictions
This would have a huge impact on people backpacking the Colorado Trail.
- speth
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Re: Chaffee County Camping Restrictions
Sorry if I missed it, but where's the information about closures?Tim A wrote: ↑Sat Jan 22, 2022 8:36 am Not sure if this info is widely known in the 14ers community, so wanted to share it.
https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/ ... 012291/510
TLDR: The BLM is considering closing the vast majority of campsites on BLM land in the Chaffee county area. The only 14er approach this looks like it effects is Shavano (which has already seen significant closures of camping ‘spots’ in recent years). For the whitewater crowd this looks to be shutting down much of the camping near the Arkansas river.
The interactive map linked on the page shows specific campsites and whether they’ll remain open or not depending on various management plans. The majority of the little tent-symbols are red indicating closures in the majority of management plans.
I’m of mixed opinions on this. Less camping is typically not a good thing but given the BLM and forest service are incapable of getting the public to follow even basic backcountry behaviors (packing out trash, not having fires during burn-bans, etc) this seems to be the new normal as population growth continues degrading the quality of Colorado’s outdoor spaces. I’m disappointed and saddened to see the front-range nonsense extending it’s reach this far southwest.
All I want is to just have fun, live my life like a son of a gun
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Sarcasm or not, it's not even funny to post something like this. Not at this time. Reported.
Re: Chaffee County Camping Restrictions
The info. link is in the orig. post. It looks like is BLM land only, not USFS land, so shouldn't affect most 14er THs and CT hikers.
- 434stonemill
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Re: Chaffee County Camping Restrictions
A good article on the Chaffee County camping situation. Of course this sounds like a song on repeat...we have all heard and discussed it many times. More and more people were already dispersed camping on public lands, but the pandemic hugely increased those numbers. Many are not practicing LNT. Rising housing costs in the Salida/Buena Vista valley have caused a rising homeless situation where folks are not "camping" but living on public lands. The demand is causing people to create more dispersed sites. All of this is affecting wildlife, local ranchers and the land.
What to do....close areas, create reservation system, educate public, etc.
https://coloradosun.com/2022/02/04/disp ... ee-county/
What to do....close areas, create reservation system, educate public, etc.
https://coloradosun.com/2022/02/04/disp ... ee-county/
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Re: Chaffee County Camping Restrictions
this article is a total bummer. i hate seeing places get "loved" to deathIn the county that’s 82% public land and home to a fifth of the state’s fourteeners, wildlife populations are plunging in the face of habitat loss and an increase in motorized recreation. Ranchers are reporting growing problems with campers damaging fences, leaving gates open and trampling grassy meadows bare. Poorly tended campfires are raising wildfire fears. Trash and human waste are overwhelming public lands workers and threatening to mar the longest stretch of Gold Medal trout waters in Colorado.
“To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles.” – Mary Davis
- HikerGuy
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Re: Chaffee County Camping Restrictions
This is the quote I found most interesting:
I know I am probably gatekeeping, but it seems to me that large RVs, toy haulers and trailers packed with side-by-sides is not really congruent with the ethos of dispersed camping. Large vehicles and large groups belong in developed areas.“It used to be a couple decades ago, someone might go up there on the weekend and pitch a tent, but now you’re seeing people with big RVs, multiple vehicles, toy haulers, four-wheelers, side-by-sides — it’s much more intensive use,” Williams said.
- SkaredShtles
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Re: Chaffee County Camping Restrictions
Next you're going to tell me that they should stay on the roads/trails with their SxS and 4-wheelers?HikerGuy wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 11:39 am This is the quote I found most interesting:
I know I am probably gatekeeping, but it seems to me that large RVs, toy haulers and trailers packed with side-by-sides is not really congruent with the ethos of dispersed camping. Large vehicles and large groups belong in developed areas.“It used to be a couple decades ago, someone might go up there on the weekend and pitch a tent, but now you’re seeing people with big RVs, multiple vehicles, toy haulers, four-wheelers, side-by-sides — it’s much more intensive use,” Williams said.
Why do you hate freedumb??
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Re: Chaffee County Camping Restrictions
nerdSkaredShtles wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 2:34 pmNext you're going to tell me that they should stay on the roads/trails with their SxS and 4-wheelers?HikerGuy wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 11:39 am This is the quote I found most interesting:
I know I am probably gatekeeping, but it seems to me that large RVs, toy haulers and trailers packed with side-by-sides is not really congruent with the ethos of dispersed camping. Large vehicles and large groups belong in developed areas.“It used to be a couple decades ago, someone might go up there on the weekend and pitch a tent, but now you’re seeing people with big RVs, multiple vehicles, toy haulers, four-wheelers, side-by-sides — it’s much more intensive use,” Williams said.
Why do you hate freedumb??
“To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles.” – Mary Davis
Re: Chaffee County Camping Restrictions
Thank God, about time.