Lefthand is the focus of an ongoing US Forest Service stakeholder process to address its management and future use. Boulder Mountainbike Alliance (BMA) has participated in two in-person gatherings so far, and here’s an update on what we’ve covered and where things are headed.
A Collaborative Effort
The process to reevaluate and update the Lefthand Canyon management plan is supported by a broad and diverse group of stakeholders.
Here’s the list of organizations and groups involved:
- Environmental and Conservation Groups: Boulder County Audubon Society, Boulder County Nature Association, The Watershed Center, and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.
- Public Land and Resource Agencies: Boulder Ranger District, Boulder County Parks & Open Space, City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks, and Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
- Recreational Groups: BMA, Friends of Lefthand Trails Alliance, Boulder County Trail Riders, 4×4 Explore, Trailridge Runners 4WD Club, Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition, and the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council.
- Community Representatives: Calwood Education Center, Balarat Outdoor Education, and James Canyon residents
- Public Safety Agencies: Lefthand Fire Protection District and Boulder County Sheriff’s Office
A Look Back at the 2006 Plan
At the heart of our discussions has been the 2006 Travel Management Plan (map), which remains the current legal document governing the area. This plan was developed to address the challenges posed by unauthorized motorized recreation. At the time, Lefthand Canyon had experienced significant environmental damage, user conflicts, and safety concerns due to unmanaged use. The plan aimed to create a sustainable and manageable trail network, protect natural resources, and improve the quality of recreation in the area.
However, implementation of the 2006 plan faced hurdles, and the catastrophic 2013 Flood reshaped both the landscape and the challenges facing the area. This has left Boulder Ranger District with the task of reevaluating what was implemented, what wasn’t, and how post-flood conditions may require new strategies.
Addressing Key Issues
The stakeholder process has surfaced several critical themes that reflect the challenges and opportunities for the future of Lefthand Canyon. While not all stakeholders agree on every point, these issues highlight the need to balance recreation, safety, and resource protection. By addressing these challenges, we can work toward solutions that reflect diverse perspectives while preserving the area’s unique character. Key issues include:
- Wildfire Risk Mitigation: Prohibiting high-risk activities such as unauthorized camping, smoking, fireworks, shooting, and unregulated fires, while enforcing fines for violations.
- Eliminating Unsafe Activities: Addressing illegal target shooting and ensuring recreation is confined to safe, designated areas.
- Protecting Sensitive Habitats: Prioritizing the protection of areas such as Fairview Peak and riparian zones by closing unauthorized trails, restoring damaged areas, and monitoring ecological impacts.
- Managing Visitor Access: Considering implementing dusk-to-dawn closures (with exceptions for certain groups), limiting daily visitors, improving education on responsible use, and addressing private property trespassing by closing trails that lead to unauthorized access and promoting designated entry points.
- Improving Parking and Facilities: Developing designated parking areas with amenities such as restrooms, trash receptacles, and clear signage.
- Enhancing Trails and User Safety: Maintaining advanced-level trails, designating one-way routes, and addressing user conflicts through better trail management and enforcement.
What Was Implemented? Here are some key successes from the 2006 USFS decision:
- Significant Restoration Projects: Major road and trail restoration efforts were completed using grants, such as the $350,000 CPW grant that addressed erosion and stream health issues.
- Trail Designation and Signing: A sustainable road and trail network was put in place, with designated routes, signage, and difficulty ratings included on maps.
- Education and Outreach: Education initiatives like maps and guides for responsible use were implemented through partnerships with local groups.
What Wasn’t Completed? Several elements of the plan were never implemented due to funding, infrastructure, or enforcement challenges:
- Trailheads and Staging Areas: The plan called for two trailheads with parking, sanitation facilities, and informational signage, but these were never constructed.
- Fee System and Enforcement: A fee system was intended to help fund maintenance and enforcement, but without infrastructure and enforcement capacity, this was not implemented.
- Rock Crawl Route: Construction of a designated rock crawl route remains incomplete due to engineering and resource constraints.
- Bon Scott (U-br): This trail was built but never officially opened due to unresolved target shooting issues.
Moving forward
The Boulder Ranger District now faces the challenge of updating the plan to reflect today’s realities. This includes:
- Identifying Common Desired Outcomes: Aligning stakeholders on shared goals such as reducing wildfire risks by addressing unauthorized campfires, partying, and other high-risk activities, eliminating unsafe or illegal target shooting, and preventing garbage dumping.
- Evaluating What Worked: Understanding the impacts of implemented actions and identifying successes to build upon.
- Reassessing Post-Flood Conditions: Addressing how the 2013 Flood has changed the area’s landscape and management needs.
- Planning for the Future: Updating the plan to balance recreation opportunities with environmental stewardship and community concerns.
BMA will continue to actively participate in this process, ensuring that the voices of mountain bikers are heard. Our goal is to advocate for a trail system that continues to provide advanced mountain biking opportunities while protecting the area’s natural beauty and resources.
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates as we help shape the future of Lefthand and please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts with us. Read more about BMA’s involvement.