Off-Road Officials Take To The Trails For Some Four-Wheeled Investigation

On November 17, several members of Colorado off-road agencies, coalitions and clubs came together for what would be best termed a "ride of the minds." These experienced forest riders set out on ATVs for a full day's ride to share ideas and better understand current usage of the Rampart Range Recreational Area. This forested high-mountain maze of trails may see as many as 250,000 riders a year.

From left to right, those in attendance were:

Scott Dollus, United States Forest Service (USFS)
Glenn Graham, Rampart Range Motorcycle Management Committee (RRMMC), Past State Trails Committee
Jim Peasley, RRMMC
Dan Delasantos, Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition (COHVCO), Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA), Colorado Quad Runners ATV Club
Kenton Page, SVIA, Western Slope ATV Association
Doug Morris, All-Terrain Vehicle Association Executive Director
Dave Lindeman, SVIA
Lloyd Liebetrau, L&M Productions, Fay Myers
Jeff Engleman, Northern Colorado Trail Riders, COHVCO

Along these trails located just outside Denver, discussions took place that touched on trail markers and what information should be added, how to better inform riders of local trail issues and get them involved, overviews on trail management and thinning projects being conducted In the area.

Unlike many other states, where riding areas are few and far between, Colorado is rich in OHV trails. An ATV rider could casually ride for the better part of 10 years and never see all the trails that crisscross this Rocky Mountain state. It is the lure of all these trails that brings riders from all over the country to test their abilities. Colorado's effort continues to get OHV enthusiasts more involved with the concept of Tread Lightly and increase support for the maintenance necessary to keep these trails open. Colorado boasts more than 45,000 registered ATVs. Managing these riders and continuing the fight against trail closures is a constant effort on the part of individuals such as those mentioned above. In addition, several of these OHV titans support or are active ATV Safety Institute Instructors and part of the SVIA.

During our ride, we were guided into a temporarily restricted area where the forest service unleashed its new thinning project. This was not a standard, run-of-the-mill woodcutting project; on the contrary, it was one of the most-intense Star Trek efforts I've seen in years.

We arrived at what looked like a heavy-equipment forest parking lot. However, these two huge forest-chomping Hydro Axes had a rather unique $30,000 munching device attached to their front.

Once the Axes' 8-hour maintenance was complete, the ground began to rumble as they started up and headed our way. Each had a 5-foot center rotating blade with an additional spinning blade at each end. Cutting at more than 1000 rpm, with their tall pivoting heads, these vegetation-munching monsters can level a 70-foot tree to rubble in less than 30 seconds. It can also sling debris more than 500 yards across the landscape.

Why thin the forest?This project was put in motion to thin an extremely overgrown forest in and around the Pike National Forest. In the background, behind Jim Peasley and Jeff Engelman (The Bobbsey twins), you can see how densely populated the forest can become.

Above, you can see how a well-maintained forest area should look. In one to two years' time, some of the standard growth will fill in the bare spots between these thinned areas. USFS Hydrologist Fred Patton and Recreational Planner Scott Dollus explained: "This is what the forest actually would have looked like 300 years ago before the human prevention of forest fires began populating these areas with overgrowth." When fires ravage populated trail areas such as these, it can take 13 to 18 years for regrowth to mend the damage so they can be reopened. This project is slotted to help thin approximately 6000 acres over the next couple of years.

What are some of the positives?

• More water can be diverted to local watersheds
  
• Less fuel for out-of-control forest fires, such as the Colorado Hayman fire
  
• Better access to areas previously impassable
  
• No-fee permits can be offered to the public to use the downed timber
  

After our "mind meld" was over, we headed back to the trucks and trailers to discuss the conclusions of the day's ride. Gatherings such as these help promote the design of several off-road elements, which have a positive impact on our trails here in Colorado and those enthusiasts who enjoy them.