The San Juan National Forest and Bureau of Land Management are hosting two public recreation meetings this month, including one about proposed Sage Hen and Rico Trails, and another on regional projects.
The Canyons of the Ancients Visitors Center and Museum is offering a photo exhibit, and archaeology tours and presentations including a “behind the scenes” curation tour of the museum’s vast archival collection.
On Sept. 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. there will be a public meeting at the Dolores Public Lands Office about new recreation trails around Rico and Sage Hen.
The open house will include an overview of the planning goals and process and an opportunity to provide feedback to the Forest Service.
Forest Service staff will be available in an informal setting to discuss questions, concerns or ideas regarding the trail projects.
For more information contact Tom Rice, Recreation Staff Officer, at (970) 882-6843 or via email at [email protected].
The Sage Hen project seeks to create a single motorized route on an existing road from Road X across Sage Hen to Forest Road 504 at the base of McPhee Dam in the lower Dolores River Valley. Montezuma County officials envision the trail as the beginning of a connection to the 160-mile motorized RimRocker Trail that links Montrose with Moab.
Dolores Valley TrailsThe Rico-West Dolores trail proposals includes relocation of the motorized Spring Creek trail in the West Fork Valley, and the addition of 3.4 miles of new motorized single track. A segment of the Stoner Creek Trail would be changed from single track nonmotorized to single track motorized to provide a motorized connection from Taylor Mesa to Stoner Mesa.The proposed Rio Grande Southern Trail would provide connection from Rico to the existing Scotch Creek trailhead and Salt Creek/Ryman trailhead.The trail would generally follow the alignment of the former Rio Grande Southern rail line, parallel to and west of the Dolores River. A bridge crossing over the river is proposed to provide access to Scotch Creek trailhead. The existing Montelores Bridge would provide access to the Salt Creek/Ryman trailhead. The proposed trail would be 4.32 miles in length.
Also, the existing Circle Trail that connects Silver Creek with the Colorado Trail will be officially added to the forest trail system and improved.BLM Resource Advisory Council to meet in DoloresThe Bureau of Land Management’s Southwest Resource Advisory Council will meet Wednesday, September 25 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Dolores Public Lands Office, 29211 Highway 184, Dolores.
Planned agenda items for the meeting include a discussion about managing electric bikes on public lands, a proposed fee at the North Fruita Desert Campground and a proposed fee adjustment at the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum.
“We value the diverse perspectives from the Southwest RAC who represent the communities we serve,” said Southwest District Manager Stephanie Connolly.
The meeting runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is open to the public, with a public comment period scheduled for 11 a.m. Individuals who want to make a statement during the public comment period are encouraged to also submit a written copy of their statement at the meeting for the administrative record.
The Southwest Colorado RAC meets multiple times a year in Southwest Colorado. It is one of several citizen advisory councils to BLM Colorado. Its 15 members are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior and represent a broad range of public land interests, including environmental, local government, recreation, energy, livestock grazing and commercial activity.
Canyons of Ancients museum eventsCanyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum in Dolores, CO is holding fall educational activities with a variety of tours and presentations for visitors of all ages.
Docent tours Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.: “The Big Picture” Join Tom Hayden to learn about the “Big Picture” of the Ancestral Puebloan occupation in the Four Corners region. Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: “Roving Archaeologist at the Museum” with Jim Colleran. Fridays at 3:30 p.m.: “Ancient Puebloans – Magicians of the Great Sage Plain” Tour the Main Gallery with Jim Arndt and discuss how the Ancient Puebloan’s adaptability and ingenuity helped sustain them for thousands of years. Curation Tours Thursdays from 2 - 3 p.m.: “Behind the Scenes Collections Tour” Explore the collections area, home to nearly four million artifacts. To reserve a tour space, please call 970-882-5622 Monday through Friday. Participants must be age 12 or older. Interpretive Tours Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon: “Connections to the Past and Present” Join Amala Posey-Monk,Museum and Visitor Center Manager, for a program that explores the cultural landscape of the Great Sage Plain and learn about the past and present on the Monument. Sundays from 1-2 p.m.: “Ask a Ranger” Jennifer Frost, Park Ranger for the Monument, will explore various topics of interest. Arrive early to help determine the topic. All programs listed end Thursday, October 24. There is a $3 admission fee from March to October; ages 17 and under are free. Canyons of the Ancients honors the America the Beautiful pass.
or additional information, please contact the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument Visitor Center and Museum at 970-882-5600.
