One of my favorite places to ride my mountain bike, run, hike, camp, or just hang out is the Lovell and Ensign Gulch areas of Pike National Forest. From there you experience some of the most epic trails in the state. You can go from Woodland Park all the way to Monument, or Waterton Canyon or even Roxborough State Park pretty much all on trail. I’m telling you that this place is one of the best kept secrets in the state. Well…until now. Several years ago they closed the shooting range on Rampart Range Road. Then back in July we had one of the most destructive fires to hit Colorado. Since that time much of the forest has been shut down, and many of the popular hangouts for sportsman closed off. And when I say sportsman, I don’t mean mountain bikers, hikers, or campers. I mean target shooters.
I don’t have a problem with guns, or for the most part, gun owners. I think hunting is a time honored tradition. I even think there are places where shooting should be allowed. However, since they have closed down the shooting range on Rampart Range Road, they seem to be turning one of the most serene forests into a battle ground.
Back when the shooting range on Rampart was open, one of the most delightful things I found when driving up Rampart Range Road out of Garden of the Gods is how pristine it was. Well…that was until you got to the shooting range. Once you were there it was a junk yard. There were old washing machines, refrigerators, broken bottles, destroyed cans, and garbage everywhere. Then after you passed the range you experienced more pristine forest. Like I said, I don’t have a problem with hunting. However, for some reason, target shooters seem to think they should dump their crap and leave it. They have no respect for laws, nature, or their fellow man. I might be making a generalization, but…I don’t think so.
Thousands of spent shells can be seen on the ground in Ensign Gulch.
Today I was riding on my beloved trail when I hear what sounded like artillery fire. I honestly thought the person shooting was right above me on the trail. It turns out they weren’t but when I got up there, I saw someone with a long rifle on a tri-pod, and using a spotter scope. Now…again…I have no problem with hunting. However, there is a sign not one mile from where he was shooting stating that there is to be no shooting for 2 miles.
Thinking that I was confused about the rules for shooting, I contacted the Forestry Service. It turns out that Ensign Gulch on the east side of Rampart Range Road is open for shooting. This is in spite of the signage on the road. The Forestry Service has provided a map of the area with distinct drawings of where sportsman can shoot. This includes areas where popular trails reside. I’m not sure this was well thought out. However, the area is legal for shooting. Still, I’m not sure the Forestry Service is aware of the many users who frequent the area trails in Lovell and Ensign Gulch.
I was in a local bike shop the other day and was told by someone there that it is a very popular trail for mountain biking. They’ve been using the trail for years, and now they have to stop riding because of the danger of being shot. In fact after speaking to several trail users in the area on the west side of the ridge, they are quite annoyed. Between the loud gunfire, and the debris it has become quite the annoyance. Add to that the danger of being accidentally shot, and it makes it not worth the effort.
A slug buried into what used to be a healthy pine tree.
Individuals shooting down the length of a trail that is used so often really can’t be all that safe. Also, with all the destruction in the area of the trees and vegetation, is this really a good use of our natural resource? If I go into the forest and cut down a tree, litter, or generally deface the area, I can be fined, and even jailed. So why can target shooters go into the forest and do all of the above without reprisal?
When I go into the mountains I make every attempt to make sure I don’t encroach on someone else’s fun. I think when people try to respect each other, everyone has a good time. It really doesn’t take much out of my life to make sure I’m not imposing on others.
I learned in grade school that everyone has rights, and that my rights are guaranteed until they impinge on the rights of others. That means that you can have all the fun you want until your fun takes the fun away from others. I think shooting a gun down a trail takes fun away from others. It endangers the lives of everyone on the trail. So what I propose is that you limit your shooting to hunting. Destroying the forest really isn’t a good use of your time. Besides…I don’t think the rest of us should have to always duck and cover.
Rex