Red Feather Lakes trailheads get major upgrades

By Stephen Clearheart Johnson
North Forty News

Four linked trails in the Red Feather Lakes area are receiving a half million dollars of improvements thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

This federal stimulus money will enhance the outdoor experience for hikers, campers, horseback riders, mountain bikers and skiers.

"These improvements are the first we've seen for trailheads on our ranger district since 1992," said analyst Kristy Wumkes of the Canyon Lakes Ranger District. The environmental assessment, she added, is the first recreation-related EA the district has completed in many years.

Parking is being expanded, especially for horse trailers, and moved away from the roadside. Interpretative signage and toilets are being installed. Trail improvements include new features such as loop trails and bridges over creeks.

Located just east and south of Red Feather Lakes, the four projects include the Mount Margaret, Lady Moon, Elkhorn and Molly Lake trailheads, giving access to 11,000 acres of Roosevelt National Forest lands located between the Boy Scout Road (County Road 98) to the south and east, the Prairie Divide Road (CR 179) to the north and the Manhatten Road (CR 162) to the west.

Three of the trailheads are currently closed during construction, although the trails themselves remain open, with access from Molly Lake and North Dowdy. The original Lady Moon access just uphill from the Mount Margaret area also remains open. This entry will not be improved but will remain available. A new Lady Moon entry is being constructed across the road from the Mount Margaret entry.

Area resident Gabrielle Mor-itz is excited about the changes. Moritz is a member of the Poudre Wilderness Volunteers and regularly rides horseback patrols along the trails for the Forest Service. The trails provide "a good combination of riding, meeting other people and entertainment," said Moritz.

For equestrians, she noted, "the trails are beautiful with water available for the horses." She pointed out that the area abounds in a variety of wildlife and edible plants such as raspberries, mushrooms and edible roots and flowers. Local moose, she added, can sometimes frighten horses.

In Moritz's opinion, the Mount Margaret trail is particularly good for children, as the elevation gain is minor and the trail includes prepared fire pits, picnic spots and "a fun creek crossing." Parking at this trailhead will be expanded to a capacity of 20 passenger cars and six horse trailers. A vault toilet will be added, as well as new signage and cattle guard. Volunteers and an Americorps team are working to improve the trail, located two miles east of Red Feather Lakes.

The Elkhorn trailhead, located along the Boy Scout Road four miles south of CR 74E (Red Feather Lakes Road), will get dramatic improvements. This previously little-known forest access had no off-road parking or signage. It will be improved to include parking for 12 cars and six horse trailers, as well as a two-vault toilet, all located well off the road.

The Elkhorn area will also add 5,000 new acres permitted for mountain bikers. All bike use in these areas is closed from Dec. 1 to June 30 to protect big-game winter habitat.

Molly Lake trailhead, located on the Manhattan road two miles south of 74E, will receive new off-road parking, although it will not include horse trailer parking. A campground located across the road will continue to provide easy setup for hikers, cross-country skiers and mountain bikers.

Hikers or equestrians with dogs will find an immense area where dogs can be off-leash, although leash requirements will be in force in campgrounds and picnic areas and on the Mount Margaret trail.

One group of recreational forest users will lose out: Off-road motorized vehicles will no longer be allowed.