prensa@vaildaily. com Room
The Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District will require campers to use designated dispersed camping in the Homestake Creek watershed to better manage impacts related to heavy use. The new entry will come into effect on August 12.
Approximately 50 campgrounds will be designated scattered along Homestake (NFSR 703) and Missouri (NFSR 704) roads. Campgrounds will be marked with a campsite sign and accessed on a first-come, first-served basis only, with limited camping trips. to seven days. Camping in Homestake Valley will be limited to those sites or the developed Gold Park campground.
“In recent years, the number of campsites along the roads in Homestake Valley has particularly increased and other people are starting to camp in more sensitive spaces, impacting waterways and wetlands,” said Eagle-Holy Cross District Ranger Leanne Veldhuis. “Designating dispersed campsites allows us to reach existing levels of use, but concentrate the campsite in less sensitive spaces that are already in use. “
Campfires will be limited to steel rings provided on site, which will be installed later this summer. Designated campgrounds do not have trash or restroom service. Visitors are required to pleasantly purchase and pack all food and waste to avoid negative interactions with bears. and other wildlife. Solid human waste packaging is also a requirement in the Homestake area. The duration of the group is limited to 40 people.
“Designating specific, sustainable dispersed camping sites will help visitors better understand where they can camp, help prevent wildfires, and allow us to have greater natural resources,” Veldhuis said.
The Forest Service conducted occupancy studies last summer on the number of sites needed to accommodate existing and projected levels of use. Based on this knowledge and existing regulations that restrict camping within one hundred feet of water, the Forest Service will designate about 50 sites.
Most existing sites remain open to exploitation, however some have been closed to larger herbal resources, for security reasons or because they were situated on personal property.
The Eagle-Holy Cross District has required scattered encampments to be held at designated sites on Piney Road (NFSR 701) north of Vail for several years.
The maximum limit at designated dispersed sites is seven days. At Gold Park Campground, the limit is 14 days. The maximum organization duration in the Homestake domain is 40 people.
More data can be obtained from the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District (24747 U. S. Highway 24 in Minturn). For more information call 970-827-5715.