Just south of Idaho Springs, off Soda Creek Rd?

[sic_semper_tyrannis]

A couple years ago I was futzing around out in Arapahoe NF, and I stumbled upon what appeared to be an informal shooting area. I haven't been back since, but if I remember correctly it was at the very end of Soda Creek Rd., maybe ten minutes south of Idaho Springs. The road does a loop at the end, and on the southwest side of the loop is a dirt forest service road that continues southbound into the woods (appeared to be a 4x4 trail). Go down this dirt trail for maybe 200-300 yards, and on the west side of the trail, marked by a wooden fence, there was a makeshift shooting area. It was actually a pretty decent spot, with a natural uphill berm and a large clearing that made it perfect for rifle shooting up to ~150 yards or so.

This place actually had one of those Forest Service "closed for shooting" notices erected, exactly like the one now seen at the north site. However, the legal notice stated a specific expiration date for the shooting closure, and that expiration date had passed about a month earlier. So, from the way I read it, the shooting closure was no longer enforceable.

Anyway, I went ahead and blasted away peacefully for a couple of hours. In that whole time, the only other humans I saw were some guys going Jeep'n down the service trail. Aside from some seriously deep weeds in need of trimming, the spot was great for shooting.

I noticed this spot is not listed in the "places to shoot" thread, nor have I ever heard anyone else ever talk about it. Does anyone know anything about this spot? And does anyone have an update on the shooting closure that was posted there? (Again, this was probably 2-3 years ago that I found it)

[Glock19fan]

Sounds interesting but I am afraid that they just forgot to change signs


A couple years ago I was futzing around out in Arapahoe NF, and I stumbled upon what appeared to be an informal shooting area. I haven't been back since, but if I remember correctly it was at the very end of Soda Creek Rd., maybe ten minutes south of Idaho Springs. The road does a loop at the end, and on the southwest side of the loop is a dirt forest service road that continues southbound into the woods (appeared to be a 4x4 trail). Go down this dirt trail for maybe 200-300 yards, and on the west side of the trail, marked by a wooden fence, there was a makeshift shooting area. It was actually a pretty decent spot, with a natural uphill berm and a large clearing that made it perfect for rifle shooting up to ~150 yards or so.

This place actually had one of those Forest Service "closed for shooting" notices erected, exactly like the one now seen at the north site. However, the legal notice stated a specific expiration date for the shooting closure, and that expiration date had passed about a month earlier. So, from the way I read it, the shooting closure was no longer enforceable.

Anyway, I went ahead and blasted away peacefully for a couple of hours. In that whole time, the only other humans I saw were some guys going Jeep'n down the service trail. Aside from some seriously deep weeds in need of trimming, the spot was great for shooting.

I noticed this spot is not listed in the "places to shoot" thread, nor have I ever heard anyone else ever talk about it. Does anyone know anything about this spot? And does anyone have an update on the shooting closure that was posted there? (Again, this was probably 2-3 years ago that I found it)

[gnihcraes]

somewhat to bring this thread alive - I just went up to St. Marys Glacier area - Alice I believe it is - I couldn't get any further with my car - but we use to go up above there on a forest service road to do some wheeling. Anyone know if this access is still open? (again, I didn't have the 4x4 with me to investigate further than the Silver Lake.)

[Ranger]

That sounds a lot like a place I go often off Fall River Road, there are a bunch of pretty good sites back there - I've been there quite a bit and never seen a posted "no shooting" sign, but maybe we're talking about something different.

[ChunkyMonkey]

If you guys are talking about this one...

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Idaho+Springs,+CO&sll=39.707715,-105.354424&sspn=0.068408,0.168056&gl=us&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Idaho+Springs,+Clear+Creek,+Colorado&ll=39.698619,-105.572267&spn=0.002138,0.005252&t=h&z=18

There was a current sign posted. [Rant1]

[gnihcraes]

crap, could be. Nope, wrong side of highway - places I'm talking are up above st. marys glacier on the other side... need 4x4 to get up there in the past years... might check it out sometime soon...

[Scott39]

crap, could be. Nope, wrong side of highway - places I'm talking are up above st. marys glacier on the other side... need 4x4 to get up there in the past years... might check it out sometime soon...
There is quit a few roads up there, maybe I will try to find it before the snow flys. There is a road up there that is pretty popular, it goes to Kingston Peak.

[gnihcraes]

I finally got some decent tires on the wife's jeep, maybe I can explore some more. I remember you have to go across the lake up at the top at the resort/cabin area and then down a road a small ways and up the side of the mountain.

[Scott39]

I finally got some decent tires on the wife's jeep, maybe I can explore some more. I remember you have to go across the lake up at the top at the resort/cabin area and then down a road a small ways and up the side of the mountain.
If you need another rig to go with you, let me know, I have my 95' Dodge Cummins sitting on 35" MT I take just about where ever it fits.
I live off of 6th and Union, Oh, but I only have AK47's now, I sold my AR.

[gnihcraes]

Ok, sounds like a good idea. Not sure I'll get out to play this weekend, but maybe in the next few. (depending on weather)

Sold AR? wrong forum then. (joke)

[Scott39]

Ok, sounds like a good idea. Not sure I'll get out to play this weekend, but maybe in the next few. (depending on weather)

Sold AR? wrong forum then. (joke)
Yep, sold the AR, I wanted a gun I didn't have to baby all the time [Tooth]

[Graves]

Shoulda built it right then [Tooth]

[Hoopty]

I remember you have to go across the lake up at the top at the resort/cabin area and then down a road a small ways and up the side of the mountain.

I was up there a few weeks ago, still accessible and yes, you can shoot up there. [UZI]

[gnihcraes]

good to know. Now that I finally paid for new tires on the wife's jeep, I might try to get up there.

[Scott39]

Shoulda built it right then [Tooth]
Shouldn't have to build "it" it should already be that way.lol!