Left Hand Canyon? [Archive] - Colorado AR-15 Shooters Club Discussion Forums

jackmode9316

07-23-2009, 09:57

I hear that only part of lefthand was closed. Can anyone point me to the portion that is still open? Googlemaps, or just directions from denver would suffice.

Thanks in advance

RRD3

07-23-2009, 10:33

If you are familiar with the old Left Hand shooting area then your there. You just have to drive a little further back. The big sign that says NO SHOOTING means no shooting there. Just 300 yards back is ok.

I was in the area last week 4 wheeln and talked to a couple forest service people out there. There was maybe 4 people shooting and I asked the firest service about the closure. It was a temp thing as they were working on the 4X4 trails behind the hill side.

Keep this info on the down low if we want it to remain open.

Pack in and Pack more out. [Beer]

jackmode9316

07-23-2009, 10:56

Thanks RRD3, Im not famililiar with the old one either. Is this it?
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=40.109114,+-105.335847&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=50.37814,78.837891&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=16

I always try to take more than I packed in and dont plan on really telling people about it.

RRD3

07-23-2009, 11:15

Yep.. that looks like it.

When you dive down the path it gets a little rocky. Stay on the right side as the road splits off to the left. That road heads up to the 4X4 trails and you better have a decent off roader to get far.

Anyway... on the right keep going 300 or so yards and you can park down there and walk another 200 feet or so and shoot into the hill side. I think the greatest distance in about 75 yards or so to the hill.

jackmode9316

07-23-2009, 13:55

Thank you kind sir.

RRD3

07-23-2009, 14:03

Any time[Beer]

Blubyue

07-23-2009, 17:38

old_blue

07-26-2009, 19:05

Lefthand is trashed, wont be open to shooters much longer. Take advantage while you can. Cant believe the crap people leave behind there. Been to lots of other spots and none are as bad as lefthand. Sadening.

The last time I visited Lefthand was probably 12 years ago and it resembled a landfill in spots then. TVs, a washing machine, an old desk, zillions of empty cans, boxes, etc. and tons of misc trash. It's sort of remarkable that the place wasn't shut down a long time ago.

MrPrena

07-26-2009, 19:36

RRD3

07-26-2009, 21:03

It is and it's been cleaned up from the last time I was there. They have a couple steel poles and cables in the road and just past that you can shoot.

But if it keeps getting trashed and near misses like they have had in the last few years it'll end being closed for good.

jackmode9316

07-27-2009, 09:49

Ive heard there was another that is still useable a little bit further up the road. I seen one that probably was used in the past, but it specifically sayed no shooting in the little canyon thing, its probably a half mile from the first one.

shazaam42

09-17-2009, 09:00

I'm new to Colorado (moved here from VT in August). I'd heard of Left Hand Canyon from a friend, who described it as a mythical wonderland where Jeeps and firearms are welcome... My wife and I have ARs and an assortment of other toys, and are looking for a good, relaxed place to shoot (outdoors, where you can shoot at a little bit of a distance) and this sounded good to us.

That sucks that people trash it, but unfortunately it's not shocking. There were a few places like this in Vermont, where you were welcome to go out and shoot for free or almost free (some had donation boxes), and there are always some white trash idiots shooting whatever they drag out from their trailer (I showed up once and some guy was blasting a bowling ball with a .308... How's that for a great idea?) and when they're done, they just leave it and walk away. TVs, kitchen sinks, brake rotors, lawn mowers, snow shovels, the bible, self-help books on tape, you name it.

Has anyone considered a clean-up day? It serves 2 purposes, it helps keep the area usable, and it shows the authorities (and non-gun folks) that not all gun owners are disrespectful losers. I'd be down with spending a few hours some sunday on that.

-Caleb

Irving

09-17-2009, 10:33

I think I've seen a few clean up days posted on here before. Usually, people always report that they pack out more trash than stuff they brought in. Jackmode and I went shooting last Saturday and left with two additional trash bags that were full.

On a side note, I totally want to shoot bowling balls and brake rotors! I'd at least clean them up though. I'm seriously considering bringing a large tarp to stand on next time. It will make picking up the brass SOOOOOOO much easier.

USMC88-93

09-17-2009, 22:49

LeJerk

09-17-2009, 23:00

Why are you posting pictures that are several years old?

Ed_S

09-18-2009, 19:25

I was up there this morning. Lots of cases everywhere plus a selection of aluminum cans and plastic bottles.

Why can't people pick up their cases and trash? Saying that the North Site is covered in cases too!

USMC88-93

09-18-2009, 20:32

Why are you posting pictures that are several years old?

To be honest, in an effort to steer people away from Lefthand and on to a more user friendly cleaner area. I have been in the area of the canyon a few times since the post and cables went up and each time it was an equally disgusting mess.

I was honest in my representation of the pictures but they accurately reflect my experiences in the canyon.

But I'll tell you what I'll get up there in the next few weeks and snap a few of the current environment.

LeJerk

09-18-2009, 20:35

Since I live in the area, where is a cleaner more user friendly place to shoot?

Feel free to PM me if it's a secret ;)

USMC88-93

09-18-2009, 20:39

Since I live in the area, where is a cleaner more user friendly place to shoot?

Feel free to PM me if it's a secret ;)

I tend to drive east of town to shoot at Colorado Rifle Club north of Byers.If I could find a spot that was reasonably inactive that I could consistently make time to head to in the Mountains I'd be right on it. But in recent years I play here
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/PhotoTWB/DSCN0706.jpg

Ed_S

09-18-2009, 20:41

I've only used the North Site and Lefthand but would equally like to know if there are any other close locations.

I was up at Lefthand this morning at 0830 and had it to myself, bliss! Not that I'm anti social, just wary of other 'shooters' I don't know.

I shot 100 rounds and picked up 100 cases, not really hard.

LeJerk

09-19-2009, 08:32

I was up at Lefthand this morning at 0830 and had it to myself, bliss!

I have to be at work at 0930 so I was thinking of doing the same thing today, but got to bed to late for a super early wake up.

Hannu

09-21-2009, 12:01

Is it still legal to shoot in the Left hand Canyon ? I heard they closed it... :(
This time, I will be very happy if I am wrong :)

LeJerk

09-21-2009, 19:52

Some parts are closed, and you can't drive all the way into the bigger clearing area anymore. They fenced off the trail right at the turn off to the left onto that Jeep trail that goes up the hill.

Ed_S

09-22-2009, 07:47

I just shot at the area as the trail turns left back on itself.

Hopefully that was the right area. There were plenty of fresh cases to suggest it was.

Hannu

10-17-2009, 17:03

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/1372/pa170243small.jpg (http://img23.imageshack.us/i/pa170243small.jpg/)

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/5369/pa170253small.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/i/pa170253small.jpg/)

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/7962/pa170255small.jpg (http://img21.imageshack.us/i/pa170255small.jpg/)

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/2617/pa170257small.jpg (http://img197.imageshack.us/i/pa170257small.jpg/)

Is this the closed area... ? Was there today and there was plenty of "No shooting" signs.

Hannu

10-17-2009, 19:16

To make it clear, I was not shooting there, just passed by and took some photos.
Is it allowed to shoot there ? If not, could someone please give directions or map coordinates to place in Lefthand where we can shoot :)

USMC88-93

10-17-2009, 21:42

Is this the closed area... ? Was there today and there was plenty of "No shooting" signs.

There is also the area back about a mile towards town where the Forest entrance is for all the 4 wheelers, a ways in the road curves and they have put up rope chains and poles closing off a 4 wheel trail, that is the area that most go to.

Hannu

10-17-2009, 23:06

Thank you !

Ed_S

10-18-2009, 07:32

Don't go on a Friday afternoon/early evening if you want the place to yourself though as it tends to be packed.

opie011

10-23-2009, 15:17

I was at the north site today and there happened to be a sheriff there to make sure everyone was shooting safe. Anyway, I was talking to him about Lefthand Canyon and he told me the entire area is closed to shooting. So whatever that's worth I thought I'd pass along what I heard.

Ed_S

10-24-2009, 07:26

Interesting comment from the Sheriff as I was up there yesterday and the Forestry Service were doing surveys of the usage and I asked them and they said it was open. Good job as there were about 15 people shooting.

I even asked the Forestry Service guy for signs clearly identifying the shooting area.

Glock19fan

11-02-2009, 16:56

So is it open?

I will go next Sunday and i will bring couple trash bags with me.

How easy is to find that place and how busy it is on Sundays?[Beer]

Daniel_187

11-02-2009, 17:25

Its crazy busy on a Saturday or Sunday

Ed_S

11-02-2009, 18:40

Got to get up there early to avoid the crowd!

We were up there Sunday morning and had it to ourselves.

Glock19fan

11-02-2009, 21:11

Is there any target stands available or should I bring my own?

Ed_S

11-02-2009, 22:02

You might get lucky. So probably best to bring your own.

Post Toastie

11-04-2009, 16:36

Is there any target stands available or should I bring my own?
It's definitely BYOTS

BuffCyclist

11-09-2009, 11:35

The mess there was even worse due to the post and cables because no one cleans up their shotgun shells. Do yourself a favor and find an alternate spot. These pictures are several years old.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/PhotoTWB/Lefthand%20Canyon/DSCN0811.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/PhotoTWB/Lefthand%20Canyon/lefthand.jpg

Hey all, I'm a little confused on what is considered the shooting area. I used to go offroading up there all the time, and it looks like in these pictures that it is the area that I am thinking of. But in the first pic, the road coming into lefthand is off the picture to the left, and the road that you see in the first picture is kind of a uturn from the incoming road. Correct? I read somewhere mention of a telephone pole and cables, and you have to pass them before it opens up to the range. Is that still the case?

While I'm up there, I'll take up close pictures of the map that says "No Shooters" and post it up so people can see it more clearly and stop asking these questions.

I just picked up my first handgun and wanted to head up there and shoot it a little bit before I pay for an indoor range, or pay to take the NRA Basic Pistol Safety Course. As far as a target, I was planning on just bringing a larger cardboard box that is all taped up so I can have 3 sides to shoot and draw smallish circles to aim at. Might head up either today or tomorrow. Anyone want to join?

Oh, and I know all the rules about firearm safety, just never shot a pistol before. But I've been watching youtube videos about proper grip, proper stance, breathing, etc.

Thanks!

Ed_S

11-09-2009, 23:43

Yup just past the cable fence. You can't miss the piles of shotgun case lying around:(

I'll not be up there until the weekend.

BuffCyclist

11-10-2009, 00:18

Yup just past the cable fence. You can't miss the piles of shotgun case lying around:(

I'll not be up there until the weekend.

Great, thanks! I remember the shell casings lying on the ground from all my offroading trips (used to flex my truck on a giant rock there), and also have shot many potato canons there. I just wasn't sure if THAT was the spot that was closed or not.

Might head up there either tomorrow morning or Wednesday morning, depends what I have planned the rest of the days.

I'll be bringing a trash bag to collect my casings, along with cleaning up an area of other shells/casings, depending on the need and how trashed it is.

palepainter

12-09-2009, 10:16

I know I am digging up the dead here, but has anyone been to LHCanyon lately? I was hoping to head up there this week.

Post Toastie

12-09-2009, 10:32

I was up there about three weeks ago. The place didn't look too bad.

Ed_S

12-10-2009, 18:38

I was up there a couple of weeks ago and it wasn't too bad.

Couple of boxes and a phone book. The worst though are all the empty shotgun cases.

I was tempted today but 19F put me off:(

palepainter

12-10-2009, 20:47

I am heading up there tomorrow morn with a buddy. I will take an extra bag to pick up what I can.

palepainter

12-11-2009, 18:29

The amount of snow had that place looking better than it really was I am sure. Lots of electrical equipment shot to shit under the snow. Tripped over a bunch of it. Ton of Modelo beer cans and cases we picked up. Some half full. What a waste. HAHA. Shotgun shells everywhere. We must have picked up 2 bags o' chit. It was tough getting up the road to the shooting area. Almost went over the side with the jeep and backed it out.
It was pretty busy today. Guys in and out. Glad it is still open regardless. We passed out a couple garbage bags to other shooters in hopes they could at least pick up after themselves.