Colorado Units Overrun by Recreation?

[ckleeves]

Some, but not enough, I assume it is pretty bad

It’s real bad. From what I have seen it’s almost easier to avoid rec users in front range units, just because they stick to a trail going to a specific peak or other destination.

The overall headcount might be less in the San Juan’s, but they are spread out everywhere and much harder to predict. Thru hiking the longer trail systems, bagging 13’ers, yodeling and rolling rocks off peaks, bivy camping everywhere with the much less strict dispersed camping rules etc.

 

[Poser]

It’s real bad. From what I have seen it’s almost easier to avoid rec users in front range units, just because they stick to a trail going to a specific peak or other destination.

The overall headcount might be less in the San Juan’s, but they are spread out everywhere and much harder to predict. Thru hiking the longer trail systems, bagging 13’ers, yodeling and rolling rocks off peaks, bivy camping everywhere with the much less strict dispersed camping rules etc.

And don't forget to mention the endless stream of SxSs

 

[Hnthrdr]

It’s real bad. From what I have seen it’s almost easier to avoid rec users in front range units, just because they stick to a trail going to a specific peak or other destination.

The overall headcount might be less in the San Juan’s, but they are spread out everywhere and much harder to predict. Thru hiking the longer trail systems, bagging 13’ers, yodeling and rolling rocks off peaks, bivy camping everywhere with the much less strict dispersed camping rules etc.

Haha it’s wild seems like that is the norm in the front range as well, I live close to the most used wilderness area in the country it’s an absolute zoo! Not unusual for there to be cars parked a mile from the trail head for a September leaf peeper hike. The volume is unreal. The rock rolling is about as dumb as it gets though… yelled at some dudes doing it on a switch back trail with trail right underneath… it’s like a contest for how stupid people can be…

 

[ckleeves]

I think the bottom line is it’s bad everywhere if it’s a scenic area I guess that’s what I was getting at. Front range wins on overall headcount, San Juan’s win on packs of side X sides blaring mariachi music and disco lights going with drones recording them from overhead all while a dude who’s so high he needs a parachute strums a John Denver tune from a distant basin that had 70 elk in it the day before until he blew them out.

 

[Hnthrdr]

I think the bottom line is it’s bad everywhere if it’s a scenic area I guess that’s what I was getting at. Front range wins on overall headcount, San Juan’s win on packs of side X sides blaring mariachi music and disco lights going with drones recording them from overhead all while a dude who’s so high he needs a parachute strums a John Denver tune from a distant basin that had 70 elk in it the day before until he blew them out.

The SxS are out of control… I mean I get they can be fun but a couple years back in Taylor park it’s just people ripping up and down the main drag all day, blaring music and kicking up dust, like WTF get a life?

 

[The_Jim]

And you can thank YouTube and instagram for all of it. 80% of the people you see wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for influencers.

 

[Poser]

And you can thank YouTube and instagram for all of it. 80% of the people you see wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for influencers.

Yeah, the ORV/Overland influencers are a real thing and I've seen the effects first hand. Not to mention the amount of influencer branded Jeeps, Toyotas and SxSs. The traffic on the Alpine Loop and various offshoots around Lake City, Silverton and Ouray is just insane and I don't think it is sustainable. If nothing else, there definitely needs more education and enforcement. The Forest Service opened up 2 positions last summer dedicated to patrolling the alpine loop, but its almost for certain that those positions have been eliminated. Its also the case that those are mostly county roads and I have seen a sheriff's deputy up there once in a SxS, but its just not a practical use of their time considering those counties only have a sheriff and 2 deputies and the town themselves only have a police chief and 2 cops. There just aren't the resources to have enforcement constantly tied up on 20 mile stretches of roads that place the officers 2+ hours away from the highways and towns.

 

[The_Jim]

Yeah, the ORV/Overland influencers are a real thing and I've seen the effects first hand. Not to mention the amount of influencer branded Jeeps, Toyotas and SxSs.

For sure, I have a brother in-law that is watching some youtube dipshit's videos out about all his Colorado trips. My BIL has never left a maintained gravel road in eastern Nebraska, and is convinced that because his Jeep Cherokee has rear lockers he should be able to drive any road in Colorado.