December 2003
Friends of the Routt Backcountry Timeline
The Steamboat Springs Chapter of the Backcountry Snowsports Alliance, known as the Friends of the Routt Backcountry (FORB), is working locally to help create and preserve non-motorized areas on public lands by working collaboratively with the Forest Service and other user groups. In the past seven years motorized presence has been steadily increasing in the Routt National Forest and has become not only a conflict with non-motorized users, but also a safety issue. Here is some historical background for the Steamboat area backcountry.
| 1998-1999 | The Friends of the Routt Backcountry becomes a chapter of the BSA. FORB begins meetings with the Forest Service. The Routt Winter Task Force, a collaborative group comprised of snowmobilers, non-motorized users (FORB) and snowcat operators is formed to meet with the Forest Service on winter travel management issues. |
| 1999-2000 | Rabbit Ears Pass issues are discussed. Trailhead educational team created, comprised of skiers and snowmobilers to educate and survey winter recreational users at the Rabbit Ears trailheads. FORB matches funds with snowmobilers to pay for increased signage on suggested use boundaries. |
| 2000-2001 | Buffalo Pass area discussed. Hybrid users (those who use a snowmobile to access backcountry skiing and snowboarding join Task Force, along with representatives from Blue Sky West (snowcat operator). A small non-motorized area is created with a trailhead at Dry Lake. |
| 2001-2002 | Ski Area Buffer Zone "The Toutes" is the main focus of discussion this year. Resolution was never reached within Task Force. The Forest Service draws its own lines based on field trips, feedback, discussion, creating a non-motorized area buffer zone around the ski area. |
| Summer 2002 | Blue Sky West applies for a permit to increase user days and put in a new road along the upper border of the new non-motorized area on Buffalo Pass for snow cat access to Soda Mountain. FORB appeals Forest Service decision to allow this road, based on the road inviting increased motorized use to this quiet, pristine area. FORB loses appeal. |
| 2002-2003 | Routt Winter Task Force is disbanded due to lack of progress. FORB continues to work towards the creation of designated, non-motorized areas on public lands. Representatives of FORB attend the Steamboat Lake Snowclub to help in the development of the North Routt Winter Travel Management Plan. Areas on Hahn's Peak, Pearl Lake, Seedhouse Road, and areas west of CR#129 are considered for non-motorized use. Blue Sky West puts in the new road to Soda Mountain. Road draws in large numbers of hybrid users. Parking problems are exacerbated at the Dry Lake trailhead. FORB meets to begin the creation of a forest wide "Vision", with the help of Vera Smith from the Colorado Mountain Club and Christi Ruppe of the Yampa Valley Community Alliance. |
| 2003-2004 | The work continues with meetings with the Forest Service to present our "Vision". We have invited the Forest Supervisor, Mary Peterson, to visit Steamboat this winter. The scoping process is rumored to begin this winter for a forest wide Winter Travel Management Plan. Our budget this year includes additional funding for more signs and mapping. |
The Friends of the Routt Backcountry is the voice for all non-motorized users of the Routt National Forest. Your comments and concerns are important. Please join, get on our mailing list, and email alert and help us succeed at ensuring a quiet non-motorized experience for you.