Tag: White River National Forest
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Is mountain town’s ‘Backyard’ a model for recreation management in Colorado?
A unique partnership aims to reduce wildfire risk while improving trails around one of Colorado’s most popular mountain towns — what some see as a model for the state beyond. The U.S. Forest Service is calling it the Town of Frisco Backyard Fuels and Recreation Project. The Backyard is what Summit County locals know as…
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Departing forest chief says crowding is overwhelming Colorado backcountry
After 34 years in the U.S. Forest Service — nearly half of them managing the busiest national forest in Colorado — White River National Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams was busy packing up his office on his final Friday of work when a reporter called to ask him about the health of the forest, as the federal government…
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Reservations opening for popular summer destinations in Colorado
Some of Colorado’s most beloved nature escapes require advanced reservations for a summer visit. Now is the time to plan — no matter the winter-looking scene currently across White River National Forest. Reservations open this month for some of the most popular areas in that national forest, considered America’s busiest. Areas include the Maroon Bells Scenic…
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‘Designated dispersed’ camping comes to another part of Colorado
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Camping rules are changing in a popular part of Colorado’s mountains. The U.S. Forest Service recently announced a shift to “designated dispersed” sites only in an area of the Homestake Valley where camping has “significantly increased” over the years, Eagle-Holy Cross District Ranger Leanne Veldhuis…
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Once-proclaimed Colorado state park might not gain lofty status
One of Colorado’s most scenic lakes might not be a state park after all. In 2021, Sweetwater Lake was proclaimed to be the next state park in an announcement by Gov. Jared Polis that surprised and angered locals living around the historic property. They saw a “state park” title as threatening the place they’ve known.…
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Colorado ski resort proposes new gondola, learning area and more
Breckenridge Resort wants to revamp its popular Peak 9 area with a new gondola, a reimagined learning zone and a chairlift replacement. The U.S. Forest Service, owning the land on which the resort holds a special-use permit, recently announced the proposals as part of the agency’s mandate to seek public opinion and review environmental impacts.…
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Powder primer 2023: A closer look at Colorado’s ski areas
ARAPAHOE BASIN (est. 1946) A-Basin is the oldest of Summit County’s four ski areas, beginning with former ski racers and World War II veterans. The decades ushered in a new cast of characters: a scrappy bunch who called themselves Atomic Janitors, cleaning by night, sleeping in an A-Frame attic and skiing by daybreak. Skiable terrain:…
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Plan moving along to reconstruct Colorado’s Hanging Lake Trail
Land managers are moving forward in their mission to reconstruct one of Colorado’s most iconic hiking trails. National Forest Foundation, the major funding partner of the U.S. Forest Service, recently requested contractor bids in the next step toward realizing a new-look Hanging Lake Trail. White River National Forest officials have spent the past couple of…
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Changes coming to Colorado’s iconic Hanging Lake Trail
Land managers have approved work aimed at “the long-term sustainability” of one of Colorado’s most renowned trails. Sustainability along Hanging Lake Trail garnered heightened concern after the 2020 Grizzly Creek fire, which burned above the popular waterfall and surrounding canyon. Cleared of vegetation, the fire introduced the corridor to flooding and rock and mud slides…
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Breckenridge opening ski season early; other opening dates ahead
Breckenridge Resort has announced an early launch to the 2022-23 ski season. Opening day is set for Wednesday, two days ahead of schedule. Skiers and riders will have 54 acres to roam on Peak 8, according to a news release. Starting at 8:30 a.m., festivities will include a DJ and waffles, ahead of a Friday…