Permits and counts instituted in Elks

[SkaredShtles]

When I attempted Capitol it didn't even occur to me to approach from Capitol Lake.

[XterraRob]

What's stronger? A U.S. Forest Ranger or an Aspenite with deep pockets?

[seano]

This is something I'd hoped I'd never see in Colorado. Just look what it did to California! It got to the point where I'd have to secure a permit 3 months in advance just to go hiking. I hope that's now where we're headed...

Unfortunately, it probably is. The 14ers are shockingly more developed than they were even 8-10 years ago, much less 25-30 years ago when I first hiked a few, and swarming with humanity. As the Front Range cities continue to grow, it will only get worse. I see Centennial traffic picking up, and it will only be a matter of time before graded trails spread to them as well.

On the other hand, look at California. As long as you avoid a few tourist playgrounds -- Whitney, the JMT, Yosemite, Mount Baldy -- it's not hard to find wilderness and solitude. There are still plenty of places in the Sierra where you can go for days without seeing another human.

[justiner]

When I attempted Capitol it didn't even occur to me to approach from Capitol Lake.

I've never approached from Capitol Lake either, but it's the standard approach, yeah?

https://www.14ers.com/photos/capitolpea ... _Mainl.jpg

[SkaredShtles]

<snip>
On the other hand, look at California. As long as you avoid a few tourist playgrounds -- Whitney, the JMT, Yosemite, Mount Baldy -- it's not hard to find wilderness and solitude. There are still plenty of places in the Sierra where you can go for days without seeing another human.

Which is exactly the same in CO. And WY. And Montana. You get the drift...

[TallGrass]

"more than 720 backcountry campgrounds. About half of those campsites are not compliant with Forest Service rules requiring them to be at least 100 feet from trails and water." -- Denver Post
"A campsite inventory was completed in 2010 that documented 729 impacted campsites across the entire MBSW. Of these, 373 meet 2002 LRMP standards for distance from lakes, streams and system trails." --
Draft: Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Visitor Use Management Plan

Some graphic excerpts from that draft:

MB-SWOVUMP1.JPG

MB-SWOVUMP2.JPG

MB-SWOVUMP3.JPG

Maybe "No camping with 100 ft of trails or water" should be added to "Closed for restoration" signs, but putting up 350+ of them... I've spotted ones like this such as right next to small lakes and right next to the creek near the falls. Not surprised how they get established though, as I've seen one camp as I pass on the way in, and another (different tents) on the way out at the same spot. For those planning, there are many signed camp spots, some shown in Appendix F.

If the Draft is too long, here is a shorter MB-SWOVUMP Fact Sheet and MB-SWOVUMP FAQs. This MB-SWOVUMP Appendix F - MAPS has a lot more detail and zooms in on respective areas. Project Documents at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=49388 has more.

Personally, I like peppermints, but haven't tried permints yet.

Quite the "Conundrim", I take it.

[two lunches]

Maybe "No camping with 100 ft of trails or water" should be added to "Closed for restoration" signs, but putting up 350+ of them...

sign debate again, huh?

[TallGrass]

sign debate again, huh?

Nah, just a thought for what's already in use. I've seen a fair number of "Closed..." signs too, but it appears use is outpacing the USFS in some areas. I suspect that some sites rangers log off and break up fire rings sans signs just get "rebuilt" by hikers thinking "it just needs a little work" to be a "great creekside spot."

[mountaingoat-G]

"I have seen the enemy and they are us".. or something like that.

[merrion13]

The article makes it sound like the Capitol permit might be coming subsequent to next summer? Is next summer only Conundrum?

[jladderud]

Will the Capitol Lake Permit essentially limit the # of people that will be going for a summit of Capitol Peak, as well? Interesting to see how that plays out.

Probably. Though I've always planned to do that peak as a day hike anyhow. I've never really cared to pack camping gear when I can go fast and light as a day hike. Now, if the FS decides to limit day use as well (a la Pamelia Lake Limited Entry Area near Mt Jefferson in Oregon), that'll be another story...

[Sean Nunn]

So if I am reading the article correctly it looks like permits will only be required NEXT YEAR for overnight camping, but that that might change in subsequent years. Is that what everyone else is getting out of it?