So the water crossing/river area at the end of Metberry, is that legal or not? I always see atv and sxs groups playing around in there and would like the correct info before i say anything.
So the water crossing/river area at the end of Metberry, is that legal or not? I always see atv and sxs groups playing around in there and would like the correct info before i say anything.
In short...no.
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James Orofino
1970 CJ5
1958 Willys Wagon
So the water crossing/river area at the end of Metberry, is that legal or not? I always see atv and sxs groups playing around in there and would like the correct info before i say anything.
Metberry is the only trail legal to the river from my understanding. River crossing, I believe, is illegal.
I called the South Platte Ranger Office last week and had them confirm, we can go to the river bank from all three gulches legally.
We cannot cross from any of them however.
Tom (June 18th, 2019)
Thanks guys! I just informed the sxs group i saw it in that playing in the water crossing in a big no.
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~Not All Who Wander Are Lost~ (at least not all the time)
Everything I see would indicate these are still open. I have attached some "discussion points" from Predator 4x4 with a couple of points highlighted. The 3rd highlighted point basically states that the gulches are/can be a Free For All as the forest service has " abdicated its responsibility to manage them or enforce the closures". As shown in the 2nd highlight, they have also attempted to grant these as easements to the individual counties which has probably lent to the issue with the portions in Park County still being considered closed (though apparently nobody is taking the responsibility to enforce).
Edit:
This is also on the site, but not sure they have been closed:
Update: October 18, 2019
Your comments are needed to open Wildcat Canyon.
All written comments need to be submitted by November 4, 2019.
The Forest Service has decided not to open any trails in Wildcat Canyon unless there are overwhelming written comments requesting that the trails be opened. Tell your friends and club members to comment by the cutoff date of November 4, 2019.
From what I understand, leaving the trail and entering the water is causing faster erosion of the riverbank(s) than the rest of the trail.
Before they can say it's not the 4x4's causing it, the 4x4's need to stay off the river bank(s).
I call them every year about these three trails and the river. Last year I was told all three can be driven to the river but not in it.
I'll call again this year and see if I can get an update on which of the three gulch trails allow legal access to the river, if any.
The last time I ran Long water and Metberry, we did Longwater first, when we were at the area by the river there was about 3 Tacoma's there one had a leak in his brake system and borrowed some brake fluid we talked and he said a few of his buddy's got busted on Longwater the day before and ticketed for being on it across the county border. My suspicion was that they may have been doing much more for the ranger to cite them ie; water crossings or off trail activities. We all pay for others irresponsibility check how many of us watch rental companies just rent for profit to people who really have no skin in the game and the rental companies just take no responsibility for thier clients actions. So what are we to do? Can't police people who really don't give a rip? And truly are uneducated to the rule anyways. Rant over!
I wonder if the rental agencies were the ones ticketed and fined for thier vehicles being used improperly things would change? Now rant over!