Indian Peaks Wilderness Education Planarapaho and Roosevelt National Forest and Pawnee

DRAFT

Indian Peaks Wilderness Education Plan

Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest and Pawnee National Grasslands

The Indian Peaks became part of the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1978. Many of the peaks within the area were named for American Indian tribes of the west. The 76,586 acre Wilderness is located primarily within the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest. A portion along the northernmost boundary lies within Rocky Mountain National Park. The area stretches approximately 18 miles north/south and 15 miles east/west at its widest point. Elevations range from 8,400 to just over 13,500 feet. There are a total of seven peaks over 13,000 feet, and approximately 35% of the land area is above treeline. The icy remains of the last glacial period sculpted out the rugged terrain of the Indian Peaks leaving over 50 lakes. Chill winds off perpetual snowfields have created an environment near tree line of stunted trees and alpine plants unusual for this part of the state.

The Indian Peaks is one of the most popular and heavily used Wilderness Areas in the country due to its close proximity to the Denver/Boulder metro area. This Wilderness Education Plan is intended to help protect this beautiful Wilderness Area for present and future generations.

1. Goals

1.  Increase awareness of wilderness history, philosophy, values of wilderness, and role of wilderness in ecosystem management.

2.  Instill and strengthen an appreciation for the value of wilderness resources in development of a wilderness ethic that results in informed decision making

3.  Influence behavioral changes that promote the preservation of wilderness quality.

4.  Demonstrate and promote attitudes and behaviors appropriate to wilderness resource protection. Promote the sustainability of the wilderness ecosystem by ensuring its health, diversity and productivity.

5.  Recognize the unique characteristics of wilderness that distinguish it from more traditional and environmental education efforts (historical perspective and cultural legacy, spiritual and emotional renewal, challenge and risk and preservation of natural systems).

6.  Provide accurate, accessible and meaningful wilderness information via web pages, trailhead signage, booklets and brochures, and training of internal personnel with wilderness responsibilities, including VIS and frontliners.

7.  Collaborate with stakeholders, other agencies, and publics in fostering

wilderness awareness through the development of partnerships.

Wilderness managers recognize wilderness education as a proactive management tool. Managers also know that educating wilderness visitors today may reduce, or in some cases, prevent resource damage in the future. This education plan is a tool for identifying issues, assigning action items and tracking accomplishments related to the education of wilderness visitors and land managers on the importance and protection of the wilderness resource.

2. Issues

The major issues identified for the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area are:

A.  Campfires

B.  Human waste

C.  High visitor use from individuals and organized groups

D. Illegal motorized trespass

E.  Dogs

F.  Invasive noxious weeds

G. User-created trails/early season impacts

H. Lack of Wilderness appreciation/Lack of understanding of adjacent land designations.

Indian Peaks Wilderness Education Plan 13

3. Impact of Issues on Wilderness

A. Campfires:

Campfires are illegal on the east side of the Continental Divide and at popular lakes west of the Continental Divide in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, but many visitors choose to ignore the special order. Campfires are located too close to water, and are constructed in inappropriate areas, such as above treeline or in krummholz. Litter is often left behind in the firerings.

Campfires leave a blackened scar that degrades the wilderness character and visual quality of the immediate area. Campfires also sterilize the soil and reduce nutrient recycling. A campfire built repeatedly in the same area gives the campsite a denuded, barren, and unnatural look.

Trees are “hacked on” and/or limbed for fuel. Large down and rotting wood is often used to construct fires and eliminates an important source for nutrient recycling. Animals also use these logs for food, protection and habitat.

B.  Human Waste:

Some backcountry visitors are not using LNT practices. Toilet paper and feminine hygiene products are not always packed out. The potential for animals dig up human waste that is not properly contained in a cathole. Improperly disposed human waste can lead to water contamination, spread of disease, and is very unsightly. Urinating on plants and vegetation attracts wildlife, which in turn may defoliate plants and dig up soil in the area to get to the salts found in urine.

C. Increasing Use/Organized Groups:

Due to the close proximity of the Wilderness to the Front Range population of over 2 million and growing, there is high visitation occurring in the wilderness, especially on weekends. This high use is having a negative affect on the resource and the wilderness experience.

There is increasing pressure from large organized groups (6 – 12 people) visiting and requesting to visit the wilderness. These groups tend to be larger than the average group size, and combined with the high visitor use already occurring is having a negative impact on the resource and the experience of other visitors. Although the group size limit is 12 and a permit is required for organized groups visiting the IPW anytime of year, often groups ignore or are don’t take the time to read the regulations at the trailheads regarding organized groups.

D. Illegal Motorized Trespass:

Illegal motorized use has been on the rise in recent years as OHV’s have become more popular and snow-machines have increased in power and efficiency. Motorized use violates the Wilderness Act. The boundary of the Wilderness is very close to some popular 4-wd roads. Some of these areas are above timberline, in these sensitive alpine areas.

Motorized users are often uninformed and some are blatant violators. There is a lack of law enforcement to educate or issue citations. Signs and boundary markers get shot up/torn down, or are insufficient.

E. Dogs:

Unleashed dogs frequently harass other visitors and their dogs, including stock. Dog poop along the trail smells, attracts flies, is unsightly and generally detracts from the wilderness experience of others.

Dogs sometimes harass, injure, and occasionally kill wildlife. Loose dogs often become separated from their owner and lost. Noise from barking affects the wilderness experience for others. If uncontrolled dogs encounter wildlife, such as larger animals or porcupines, their safety is in jeopardy.

F. Noxious weeds

Non-native invasive weeds replace native vegetation and impact wildlife habitat. This alters natural ecosystem, increases erosion, reduces wildlife and livestock forage, changes wilderness character and has social impacts.

Noxious weeds have been introduced into the wilderness most likely by visitors and/or livestock. The weed infestations in the wilderness have occurred near popular trailheads and along trails near the wilderness boundary.

G. User-Created Trails/Early Season Impacts:

User-created trails are an increasing problem. These trails occur mostly in popular areas, such as peaks, lakes and streams. They result in are vegetation loss, soil erosion, and affects the wilderness character and visual quality of the area. Widespread “spaghetti” trails affect the feeling of solitude, and are a potential for increased wildlife disturbance. Social trails are a result of high use, improper travel techniques, lack of a properly designated trails and uninformed users.

Early season impacts are caused by visitors coming from lower elevations to visit the high country during times of snowmelt. Visitors are often not prepared for “winter-like” conditions during the late spring and early summer months. Trails are often muddy and covered with snowdrifts. As a result, visitors walk around the mud and snow, to avoid getting their feet wet, widening trails, trampling vegetation and creating lasting scars on the landscape.

H. Wilderness Awareness

Many wilderness visitors are not aware of what wilderness designation means, both legally and ethically. Many do not understand wilderness values and the importance of practicing LNT principles, which often results in unacceptable physical and social impacts to the area.

4. Key Messages:

A. Key messages for campfires:

·  Campfires are illegal in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. (talking points or bullets about impacts from campfires)

·  Use a stove (talking points about the benefits of stoves versus campfires)

Target audience: Wilderness visitors, hunters, outfitter and guide permittees.

Backcountry wilderness visitors, outfitter and guide permittees.

B. Key Messages for Human Waste:

·  Use a cathole, 6-8 inches deep, 4-6 inches wide. Use a stick to stir in soil when you are done and cover with at least 2 inches of topsoil and camouflage the surface.

·  Disperse waste, not concentrate.

·  Choose an area 200 feet from water, trails, campsite.

·  Use natural toilet paper such as rocks, sticks and pinecones. If using toilet paper, pack it out in a plastic bag.

·  Minimize the chance of water pollution, minimize the chance of anything or anyone finding the waste, maximize the rate of decomposition.

·  Do not urinate on plants and other vegetation; instead go on non-vegetated areas such as rocks, far from a water source.

Target audience: Wilderness visitors, hunters, outfitter and guide permittees.

C. Key Messages for increasing use/organized groups:

·  Many wilderness visitors are not necessarily seeking a wilderness dependant experience; their needs can be met outside wilderness.

·  Group size limit for Indian Peaks Wilderness is 12, must adhere to this regulation.

·  Emphasize opportunities outside of Wilderness

·  Permit/Quota systems may be coming to help disperse larger groups to avoid frequent encounters with other groups/visitors

·  Emphasize how groups/visitors can reduce their impacts (mid-week, time, location, behavior, practice LNT)

Target audience: Wilderness visitors, outfitter and guide permittees.

D. Key Messages for Illegal motorized trespass:

Mechanized and motorized transportation is illegal in wilderness. (Refer to R2 I&E Plan for the Prevention of Snowmobile Trespass).

·  What is Wilderness? Here are the rules.

·  Stay on designated trails/areas/roads outside of Wilderness

·  Present opportunities outside of Wilderness

·  How motorized use impacts wilderness and visitors. Biological affects on wildlife through noise and snow compaction. Social impacts include ruining solitude and hunting (scare animals, limits opportunities, unfair). Physical impacts include soil, vegetation and water.

·  Consequences could mean a $5000 ticket, 6 months in jail, and impounding your machine.

Target audience: Mountain Bikers / ATV/ 4-wd drive enthusiasts, hunters.

E. Key Messages for Dogs

·  Dog card messages

·  Unleashed dogs harass, injure, and sometimes kill wildlife and stock

·  Uncontrolled dogs can create unwelcome noises which can disturb visitors to the Wilderness

·  Dog – Human conflicts can lead to human – human conflicts

·  Dog feces is unsanitary, creates odors, attracts flies, and is unsightly

·  Diseases can be transmitted to coyotes and wolves from dogs

·  To avoid these problems, consider leaving your dog at home

·  If you decide to bring your dog train your dog, leash your dog, and muzzle your dog (if necessary)

·  Know the dog regulations for the area you are visiting

Target audience: Dog owners planning on or visiting the wilderness.

F. Invasive Plants:

·  Impacts of non-natives on ecosystem.

·  Ways to reduce impacts.

·  Identification and documentation protocols for use by agency personnel

·  How people can prevent/stop introduction and spread of noxious weeds by:

a) Weed-free feed required

b) Visitors and outfitters reporting noxious weed infestations

c) Effective ways to treat different weeds (internal audience- crews, etc)

d) Wash equipment and undersides of vehicles at trailheads, check your clothes for weeds/seeds before entering the wilderness.

e) Reseed disturbed areas (internal, contracts, adjacent landowners)

·  Weeds can change the Wilderness character

a) Wildlife

b) Erosion

c) Ecosystem change

Target audience: Stock users, hunters, wilderness visitors, outfitter and guide permittees.

G. User-Created Trails/Early Season Impacts:

·  Seasonal trail closures as needed

·  Consider alternative trails that are less muddy, snow-free, and user friendly

·  Be prepared for different conditions in the high country, wear proper footwear.

·  Travel on durable surfaces

·  Stay on designated routes if one exists

·  Use limits may be coming

·  Emphasize sensitive vegetation/ short growing season

Target audience: All wilderness visitors.

H. Lack of Wilderness Appreciation/Lack of understanding of adjacent

land designations:

·  Wilderness is special place.

·  Wilderness values transcend recreation.

·  Wilderness is a full partner in the Forest Services’ multiple use mission.

·  Wilderness is designated by congress to be preserved in its wild state for the use and enjoyment of future and present generations.

·  Wilderness provides:

a.  an opportunity for solitude and primitive recreation,

b.  physical challenge,

c.  mental stimulation and inspiration,

d.  open space and wildlife habitat

e.  undisturbed landscapes/ecosystems

f.  scientific study

g.  escape from mechanization, technology, etc.

·  Wilderness areas are special and sometimes fragile areas.

·  Entering a wilderness requires a large amount of responsibility toward protection of the resource.

·  If a person chooses to go to a wilderness they must adhere to the regulations and the Leave No Trace (LNT) principles.

·  Messages on the different adjacent designations, regulations, and activities allowed.

Target Audiences: All wilderness users, as well as potential advocates that do not visit wilderness.

Indian Peaks Wilderness Education Plan 13

5. IMPLEMENTATION

Campfires

Human Waste

Illegal Motorized Trespass

Invasive Plants

User-Created Trails/Early Season Impacts

Lack of Wilderness Appreciation

Indian Peaks Wilderness Education Plan 13