Damaged toilet closed at Andrews Lake
The Columbine Ranger District reports that the composting vault for the toilet at the upper parking lot at Andrews Lake on Molas Pass has been heavily damaged by rodents.
The toilet is inoperable and is closed for the foreseeable future until it can be repaired.
For more information, call 884-2512.
Please don’t interfere with young wildlife
Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds residents that they may encounter fawns or other newborn animals.
During spring and early summer, people often see young animals that appear to be alone in the forest, in backyards, on or near trails or along the sides of roads. Parks and Wildlife says people should not approach, touch or handle young animals.
Fawns that are truly abandoned will show signs of distress, such as crying. Call Parks and Wildlife, 247-0855, if a fawn has been left overnight or shows signs of injury.
Food should never be given to wildlife. If animals are provided food, they become habituated to humans and will stay in residential areas instead of wildlands.
Residents also should keep their pets under control. Dogs acting on their natural instincts can find wildlife and attack them. The stress of being attacked often is fatal for young animals.
For more information, visit http://cpw.state.co.us.
Bridges workshop set for Nature Center
Durango Nature Studies will host the “Bridges of the Nature Center” workshop from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Durango Nature Center.
The cost is $10 for nonmembers, and free for members.
The Nature Center has three bridges, all used for different purposes. Participants will learn about the structural aspects of maintaining a nature center from Rick Routh, DNS board member and engineer with the Department of Transportation, as well as the many facets of bridge design, including hydrology, structures, materials, loads and environmental considerations.
Workshop participants will receive free entry to the Nature Center, which is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
To register, email sally@durangonaturestudies.org, call 769-1800 or visit www.durangonaturestudies.org.
You can join field trips to Hermosa Creek
The San Juan National Forest Columbine Ranger District is planning several public field trips to the Hermosa Special Management Area to allow participants to explore and discuss issues, concerns and proposals to be addressed during the process for the Hermosa Creek Watershed Management Plan.
Dates, locations and focus areas for field trips will include:
Short hikes in the Lower Hermosa area to look at dispersed-camping, trailhead and campground issues will take place June 26.
A 10-mile out-and-back mountain bike trip from the Upper Hermosa Creek Trailhead to look at trail uses and issues will be held July 11. Participants should be physically fit and bring their own bikes, water and other gear.
Short hikes in Hermosa Park to look at historic resources and issues related to dispersed-camping impacts, trailhead facilities, low-water road crossings and Sig Creek Campground will take place July 17.
A 10-mile round-trip hike in the Upper Dutch Creek area on the Pinkerton Flagstaff Trail to look at motorized-use issues and to visit old logging areas to discuss reforestation possibilities will be held Aug. 21. Participants should be physically fit and bring their own gear.
A winter snowmobile/snowcat trip in the Cascade Divide-Relay Creek area to look at winter recreation issues will take place on a date to be determined.
People are asked to sign up no later than one week in advance of each trip they are interested in attending by calling Cam Hooley at 884-1414, or by sending an email to HermosaSMA@fs.fed.us. Details about meeting times and locations will be provided to people who sign up.
Herald Staff
