April 2003
Vail Pass Task Force Update
The Vail Pass Task Force continues to advise the Forest Service on the best way to manage the Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area. The Forest Service does react to complaints about non-compliance, so if you see violations, please report them to the BSA on our BERD form. Fees were collected until April 13, so spring skiing is free there.
This year, the rangers were more aggressive in handing out citations to people who were found poaching in the non-motorized area. More signs and fencing were put up near the Commando Run in direct response to public input. Next year, the map boundaries will change prohibiting snowmobilers from getting off the road from Bowman's Shortcut down to Lime Creek. This should minimize further poaching of this area. The FS plans to put signs up early in the season should the snow fly early like last season as well. In addition, the Black Lakes Ridge area was also more carefully patrolled in response to public input. Some of you did not notice much of a difference, but complaints were non-existent after January, so the FS did not put more energy into that area. Next year, the boundary will change to the ridge top, and the FS promises to be more vigilant in getting compliance. Snowmobiles will also be allowed to go straight up the ridge from the parking lot so as to minimize the noise, odors, and safety issues at the east end of the parking lot.
Some of the other changes to the map will include making the entire Shrine Bowl non-motorized, creating a non-motorized route from the Fowler Hut to Resolution Road, and making the Corral Creek Trail non-motorized to Wilder Gulch. If you have any comments about these changes, please contact Don Dressler (drdressler@fs.fed.us) by May 7 at the Forest Service.
Your input is imperative at this site. Please do not hesitate to contact us with suggestions, complaints, etc. If it's about a specific incident, please fill out a BERD.