The article titled “Illegal trail destroyed ...” (Herald, June 10) describes a rogue path that complainants said mountain bikers were actively constructing. It made clear the Columbine Ranger District requires recreation trail users to stay on designated system trails under its new plan for the Hermosa Special Management Area.
While making a good point, it appears there is misunderstanding. In actuality, the path is a legitimate swath of open ground through thick oak brush that was likely made 100 years ago when heavy equipment built water catchments for the Dutch Creek Grazing Allotment.
It meanders through a gentle-sloped flat that is this allotment’s gathering pasture. The pasture connects to a large sorting corral. Cowboys use the open swath for quick action on a horse when a large herd tries to make a getaway from the sorting corral gate.
Once in the corral, the cattle are sorted by the three ranches they belong to, then pushed down a fenced alley to a loading chute and trailer.
A grazing analysis was performed to provide knowledge for how this allotment conducts itself. This gathering pasture enables the cattlemen to remove livestock from the forest. Surely, the agency and others do not want to impede this. Vehicles should not be left in front of the loading chute.
A top pick for “disregard for taking care of the land” is a super-steep segment on the Pinkerton-Flagstaff Trail near the head of Jones Canyon. Motorized recreation is allowed to use this system trail when it is not adequately constructed and maintained.
This really is the poster child for erosion in the Hermosa Creek Watershed.
Sandy Young
Durango
