| Date Submitted |
Date |
Time |
Location |
Group Size |
Activity |
Activity Other |
Observation |
Experience changed Rec/Loc? |
Experience |
Other Party? |
Party Size |
Party Type |
Party Activity |
Party Activity Other |
| November 24 2005, 11:41:00 AM |
11, 24 ,2005 |
09:30AM |
Wolf Creek Pass |
1 - 5 |
skiing |
|
We were skiing and snowmobiles ran us off the trail |
We left |
Yes |
Yes |
1 - 5 |
private |
skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling |
|
| January 03 2006, 11:40:14 AM |
1, 2 ,2006 |
2PM |
Colorado State Forest, Montgomery Pass; NE, E, and SE of Pass |
1 - 5 |
skiing |
|
Two groups of snowmobilers (2+ and 4, or perhaps a single group of six+ spread out) revved through the area, jumping drifts and making an extraordinary amount of noise |
Attempted to get hill between us and them to minimize disturbance. |
Yes |
Yes |
6 - 10 |
unknown |
snowmobiling |
|
| January 10 2006, 08:52:31 PM |
1, 7 ,2006 |
8AM |
Vail Pass, Black Lakes Ridge |
1 - 5 |
skiing |
|
Snowmobile traffic in the non-motorized area (Black Lakes Ridge). This was AFTER we had each paid 6 bucks, the fee charged (allegedly) to fund enforcement of the use areas. From what I could see, the Forest Service Rangers were all at the kiosk. No sign of patrols in the backcountry |
|
No |
No |
1 - 5 |
unknown |
snowmobiling |
|
| January 22 2006, 01:12:59 PM |
1, 21 ,2006 |
12AM |
Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area,
White River National Forest. Shrine Ridge trail and drainage to SW of Shrine Mt. |
1 - 5 |
skiing |
|
While skiing up to the Shrine Ridge, between the Shrine Mt. huts and the ridge there were 2 snowmobiles traveling from south to north in the blue area of the map (39-32.174N, 106-15.157W). When we got to the top of Shrine Mt. we saw that the whole bowl to the SW had been extensively tracked by snowmobiles. While we were skiing in the bowl, 5 snowmobiles entered the bowl and drove around. They were still there when we left at about 1 PM.
We skied the south-facing slope from peak 11602 and found that the snowmobilers had been high-marking the slope. This ruined the otherwise fine powder run available from this point. |
We decided to leave the bowl to the SW of Shrine Mt. because of the extensive snowmobile track on the slopes. We went back and skied the slope down to Black Lakes. |
Yes |
Yes |
1 - 5 |
unknown |
snowmobiling |
|
| January 23 2006, 12:07:15 PM |
1, 21 ,2006 |
11AM |
Worthington branch of the Sts. John trail, right fork instead of Wild Irishman route |
1 - 5 |
skiing |
|
I was skiing alone on a pristine morning. A gang of 5 sledhead mutants raced up the Montezuma/Sts. John Wild Irishman fork and immediately ran a skier off the trail. She skied on out. I proceeded up the "Worthington" fork into the "Hidden Cabin" drainage and up to the high northwest realm. The sledheads had trashed the Wild Irishman area and now came into the Hidden Cabin drainage to highmark and ride around in witless patterns, torturing, gouging, and marring the area with noise and slash tracks. I descended just before they headed up to take over my turnable slopes. Back at the lower fork, the area was hashed and trashed, no ski tracks left for skiers. |
I admittedly took a chance on going to this area because Montezuma trails are becoming virtually overrun with the sledheads in recent years. Without the mutants, the area is exquisitely beautiful and moderate for a skier of my talent. However, more and more I am inclined to stick to Grizzly Gulch/Bakerville, Herman Gulch, Butler Gulch, and East Portal/Rollinsville where no brainless sledders intrude. |
Yes |
Yes |
1 - 5 |
private |
snowmobiling |
|
| February 13 2006, 06:39:33 PM |
2, 13 ,2006 |
10AM |
Both the Worthington branch of the Sts. John trail and the Wild Irishman route. Ascended ridge overlooking Keystone. |
1 - 5 |
skiing |
|
The trail headed up was washed out by snow mobile tracks. Further uphill, snowmobile tracks littered the landscape, greatly restricting nice powder lines. We witnessed 2 snowmobilers riding on the ridge above Wild irishman, a ridge that lacked snowcover, thus demolishing the tundra. My major concern is that the USFS restricts motor vehicle use to the roads. Roads that I cannot believe head straight up the ridges and are all over the area. |
More upset at the loss of another wonderful place to ski. |
Yes |
Yes |
11 - 15 |
unknown |
snowmobiling |
|
| February 13 2006, 06:43:05 PM |
1, 21 ,2006 |
8AM |
Vail Pass Recreational Area |
1 - 5 |
skiing |
|
Just a complaint that if I have to pay to use the area, the Forest Service should do a better job enforcing the seperation of users. Went up Shrine Mountain, and only briefly (from Shrine Pass to Shrine Mountain Inn and the very top of Shrine Mountain) did we not encounter any snowmobile tracks. From the top of Shrine Mountian, we could see the extent of snowmobile travel in non-motorized areas. |
I don't know when I'll go back to Vail Pass. |
Yes |
No |
11 - 15 |
private |
snowmobiling |
|
| February 13 2006, 06:56:40 PM |
2, 12 ,2006 |
12PM |
Saints John / Wild Irishman Mine Valley |
1 - 5 |
skiing |
none |
Witnessed approx 3-4 separate snowmobile groups high pointing peaks and racing across the valley. I called Dillon Ranger at (970) 468-5400 to loge a complaint. Sleds are required to stay on roads only. |
They do not have hte right to ruine that valley! |
No |
Yes |
1 - 5 |
unknown |
snowmobiling |
|
| March 06 2006, 01:24:04 PM |
2, 28 ,2006 |
10AM |
Vail Pass Rec Area |
1 - 5 |
skiing |
|
There was much evidence of Snowmobiles leaving their designated area and riding on, near, or across the ski/snowshoe trail. |
|
No |
No |
1 - 5 |
unknown |
snowmobiling |
|
| April 03 2006, 06:34:57 PM |
3, 31 ,2006 |
11AM |
butler gulch |
1 - 5 |
skiing |
|
snowmobiler in butler gulch. the rider had accessed the upper bowl via the non-motorized trail. i stopped the rider and explained that it was non-motorized, and he acknowledged as much, but continued riding in the area. i spoke with several other skiers who had also informed him of the violation, but he apparently did not care. |
|
No |
Yes |
1 - 5 |
private |
snowmobiling |
|
| April 27 2006, 04:10:46 PM |
4, 23 ,2006 |
8AM |
Berthoud Pass, current creek, second creek, vasquez wilderness |
6 - 10 |
skiing, other |
photography, picnic |
Tracks of snowmobiles are evident in the second creek drainage, down into current creek, along the headwall, and up onto current bench behind hidden knoll. The tracks were not evident on Wednesday, so it is likely that they occured on Saturday April 22, though possibly thursday or friday. Every year, the weekend after winter park ski area closes, someone takes a machine up here and violates the wildeness and BC user areas. |
We saw the tracks from the road, and decided to ski elsewhere on the East side of the pass. From here we heard a snowmobile, but did not get a visual confirmation of their location. |
Yes |
Yes |
1 - 5 |
private |
skiing, snowboarding |
|
| May 02 2006, 08:37:07 PM |
4, 20 ,2006 |
2PM |
homestake peak and slide lake area |
1 - 5 |
skiing |
|
snowmobiles were hightopping at slide lake and they summited homestake peak two times in two days.this was in wilderness area |
|
No |
Yes |
1 - 5 |
unknown |
snowmobiling |
|
| November 01 2006, 10:12:36 PM |
10, 27 ,2006 |
11 |
Butler Gulch / Jones Pass Trailhead |
|
skiing |
|
Access road beyond mine entrance and trailhead parking not plowed. Snowmobiler on road did a poor job of yielding to skiers. |
|
|
|
|
|
snowmobiling |
|
| February 07 2007, 11:10:46 PM |
1, 13 ,2007 |
11 |
West of Hogan Creek/Fish-hook Creek intersection northwest of point 9921, from Fox Curve TH. |
|
skiing |
|
By the creek, snowmobiles had penetrated half the way - probably 2 miles - into the 'Skier Only' zone. Also, just north of the Fox Curve TH, snowmobiles had torn up the snow in the meadow extensively. This area should for skiers only, dammit! |
|
|
|
|
|
snowmobiling |
|
| April 23 2007, 12:21:11 AM |
4, 22 ,2007 |
1 |
Vasquez Wilderness, second creek |
|
skiing, other |
|
Seven or more snowmobiles entered the second creek drainage from the Vasquez Wilderness. They proceeded to high mark the second creek headwall. We had just been observing ptarmigan and pelicans in the vicinity. |
|
|
|
|
|
snowmobiling |
|
| April 30 2007, 06:16:46 PM |
4, 28 ,2007 |
10 |
Never Summer Range / Neota Wilderness |
|
skiing |
|
Observed evidence of snowmobile high marking and travel in the Neota Wilderness. Snowmobile tracks were visible along the south slopes of Mount Richthofen and Mahlur. Snowmobiles had driven to the saddle between Richthofen and Mahlur. In addition, we saw visible tracks of snowmobiles in the upper silver creek drainage on the west flanks of Lead Mountain and below 12,058. High marks were visible in all drainages and extended up into the coulors. |
|
|
|
|
|
other |
|
| December 10 2007, 01:49:22 PM |
12, 9 ,2007 |
9AM |
Walton Peak, outside of Steamboat Springs |
1 - 5 |
skiing |
|
Skinned up drainage from parking lot with the noise of snowmachines very close. On arrival at Walton Peak found the slope "high pointed" by snowmachines in five places. |
Considerable noise and pollution from the snow machines lingered. As well as damage to the ski slope I intended to ski. |
Yes |
Yes |
6 - 10 |
private |
skiing, snowmobiling |
|
| December 10 2007, 02:38:53 PM |
12, 9 ,2007 |
10AM |
Routt National Forest, Walton Creek (peak) winter trailhead of of US 40 on Rabbit Ears Pass. |
1 - 5 |
skiing |
|
The parking area and trails in this area are designated for nonmotorized travel. There is a large sign at the trailhead showing the motorized and non-motorized areas. As we were skiing in along the trail, marked in blue diamonds, we picked up snowmobile tracks and the scent of exhaust hanging in the branches. The snowmobile had been all along the trail toward Walton Peak, circled in several of the meadows and high pointed the nice skiing slope of North Walton Peak. |
The way our experience was changed is that we had to deal with skiing over snowmobile tracks instead of fresh powder. |
Yes |
Yes |
1 - 5 |
unknown |
snowmobiling |
|
| December 10 2007, 04:16:52 PM |
12, 9 ,2007 |
10AM |
Walton Peak Drainage, Rabbit Ears Pass, Steamboat Springs, CO |
1 - 5 |
skiing |
|
Deep snowmobile ruts all over North Walton Peak. This is a motorized free area. |
We dealt with it, but were not happy. |
Yes |
Yes |
1 - 5 |
private |
snowmobiling |
|
| December 10 2007, 06:55:06 PM |
12, 8 ,2007 |
10AM |
Walton Peak, Rabbit Ears Pass area |
1 - 5 |
skiing, other |
trying to have quietness |
snowmobile tracks in a non-motorized area. This is the only telemark hill on Rabbit Ears. |
they ruined half the ski terrain. Where else can I go? |
Yes |
No |
1 - 5 |
private |
snowmobiling |
|
| January 14 2008, 09:15:58 AM |
12, 24 ,2007 |
12AM |
Mcallister gluch, machine gun ridge area, around the Fowler Hilliard Hut |
1 - 5 |
skiing |
|
sleds in McAllister Gulch, sleds all over the green sled-accessed skiing areas, no rules, no enforcement
See
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxQIFjHS_d0
for a documentary videa |
Will probably not go back to any sled accessed skiing areas, or any of the no sled areas in the vail pass rec area, as there are sleds, noise everywhere regardless |
Yes |
Yes |
16+ |
private |
snowmobiling, snowcat |
|
| February 13 2008, 01:46:26 PM |
2, 10 ,2008 |
4PM |
Arapaho National Forest.
Guller Crk, Stafford Crk. near Janet's Hut |
11 - 15 |
skiing |
|
2 snowmobiles riding in the area just west of Janet's Hut. They came over from Vail Pass. |
|
No |
Yes |
1 - 5 |
private |
snowmobiling |
|