Routt Powder Riders   --   Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Forest Service Proposed Action
- Access trail east of Columbine, west of Hahns Peak

To maintain good public access and minimize user conflicts, the HPBE Ranger District proposes to change the location of grooming currently under special use permit for the SLSC. A new parking lot will be created approximately 1.5 miles north of Columbine on NFSR 550, near its intersection with NFSR 413, and trail 1149. The new parking lot will be approximately two acres in size, designed to accommodate both winter and summer motorized parking.

The proposed groomed trail will be approximately 2.5 miles long, and will connect the proposed parking area with intersection of NFSR 410/490, southeast of Columbine. From the proposed parking area, the route south will utilize approximately one-half mile of NFSR 413.1 and the entire one mile length of NFSR 413.1A. To establish the remaining one mile of the trail, a route will be designed to stay in a forested corridor. Trees will be cut to establish a 20-25 foot corridor for the groomer to pass. Most of the trees to be cut will be dead lodgepole pine, with minor amounts of aspen and fir. A map of the proposal can be found on the Forest Service website at www.fs.fed.us/r2/mbr/projects/rec/

To access NFSR 488 and the Trilby Flats area by snowmobile, a new trail connecting NFSR 410 to RCR 129 near Trilby Flats will be marked. Marking a designated route will reduce potential for trespass onto private property.

The terrain east of the proposed trail is commonly known as “Columbine Meadows” a popular area with non-motorized backcountry enthusiasts. Most snowmobilers respect this as a quiet use non-motorized area, and as a result of cooperation, conflict between uses is low compared to other areas on the HPBE Ranger District. The existing voluntary separation of uses in this area will be supported by the Forest Service through information, maps and signs.

Ground disturbance will be restricted to only those areas of steep side slopes. Overall ground disturbance including both trail and parking lot will be less than five acres. The entire route and parking will be on National Forest lands. If overnight camping or overall use warrants, a toilet will be installed. This may result in fees charged for parking. Fee camping and parking is currently available at Steamboat Lake State Park.

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