Anyone know if the gate is open on big south?

elwood · 06-20-2005

Gate open yet?

Force · 06-20-2005

Nope,

http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/arnf/conditi...rd/index.shtml

the hike in from trail ridge is the best option right now. kind of like earning your turns.

Roy · 06-20-2005

Is it worth sending these guys at the Canyon Lakes Ranger District a polite e-mail imploring them to open access to this amazing resource before the water's all gone? Normally, I'd just shoot one off, but I don't wanna step on anybody's toes if it's being worked. Would it be counterproductive for the whole of the Buzz to start spamming the hell out of them? How about their bosses?

It seems like every year, the water's nearly gone by the time they open it and the road is bone dry dusty--obviously passable for weeks.

RiverWrangler · 06-20-2005

Roy,
They don't like to open the access road until all of the side roads that Long Draw allows access to are dry. Basically they don't wan't OHV's rippin' the shit (at least when it's still wet).

I think it would also be a mistake to flood the forest service with spammed out email. The best option that I can forsee is to put together an organized plea asking for forest service assisted weekend runs. As in -they open the gate at a certain time on sat. and sun. and escort you to the resevoir in a big forest service truck. I have asked some forest service people I know and there is no funding for such a thing at this time though. The run from RMNP starting at Poudre Lake is worth the trouble if you're jonesing for some Big South action (like I am). There should also be water for a descent BS season this year even after they open the gate as well... all of the resevoirs are full in the Poudre right now.

RiverWrangler · 06-20-2005

Long Draw Res. is so full it looks as though it is spilling nearly 300 cfs right now!

cdw · 06-20-2005

is it on 156 rd above or below Peterson lake-- as in can we get to the rio below melt-down and still get the good lovin' from Nitrogen Narcosis on down?

Any guestimate as to when the road will go? I was hoping to do an encampment combo early next week
-Carter