New update on Squaw Pass?

[Ronin13]

I heard from someone the other day that the DPW is restricting firearms use at Squaw Pass within 1/4mi of any (maintained or not) road... thus meaning that we can't shoot at the usual locations up there. Friend also stated this takes effect May 1. I searched around, even with DPW's website and there is nothing. This is the closest public land area where I can shoot and it's convenient... I would hate to have them shut it down.

[Ronin13]

I'm going to update this as soon as I get word, but I've gotten a few PMs in regard to Squaw Pass and I plan on inquiring tomorrow as to whether or not the area near the ski area is usable or not for target shooting. This seems to be a hotly debated and confusing situation going on up there right now and I plan on getting in touch with BLM, USFS and Clear Creek County Sheriff as to more specific details on public land use in this area. I've noticed recently that there has been an increase in hikers up here and not sure what the appeal is as the road is not maintained and the service road is technically not a good choice for hiking. There is a sign that details very vague regulations (just off the paved road on the service road just past the ski area entrance) and is not very visible. I might make a trip up there this weekend to recon the area and see if the sign has been moved, removed or anything else- also I heard that there was a piece of barbed wire stretched across the service road with a no tresspassing sign. Very troubling as this area falls into the Arapaho national forest and is public land.

I'll update as information is found out.

[DHCO]

The area atop tower road is now closed. It has private property, no trespassing signs and chains strung from posts embedded in concrete across all the roads and trails leading to it. I had no idea this area is private property.

[gnihcraes]

The area atop tower road is now closed. It has private property, no trespassing signs and chains strung from posts embedded in concrete across all the roads and trails leading to it. I had no idea this area is private property.

I believe it is, if it's the same road with the huge communications tower at the top. (hence the name) It was private property and then sold off to someone like AT&T many years ago. It's changed hands a few times I believe. Various folks have their com gear in up there. RTD, Ham Radio Clubs, police agencies etc.

Some information here:
http://www.citymtnviews.com/archives/AntSMchart.php4

[Dr_Fwd]

Tag

[DHCO]

I'm just surprised because the road running through the site seems to be a public land road open to offloading, hiking, etc. I can see blocking off the site but the road seems to be public.

[Ronin13]

I'm just surprised because the road running through the site seems to be a public land road open to offloading, hiking, etc. I can see blocking off the site but the road seems to be public.
Actually did some digging, and it appears that the road is technically not "public"- it's an unmaintained service road that is not listed as a normal use road. It's used for service of the KYGO radio tower at the top of the hill. Still, one could argue that it is public land and therefore falls under the same rules as all public land for use, and though it's not a recognized trail, the use is pretty open. Still, I wouldn't think hikers want to go where guns go off all the time. Still haven't had a chance to get up there lately to check it out.

[drift_g35]

Id like to get out and play with my new 1911. Anyone want to head up next weekend and see if it is open to shoot?

[tawm]

A buddy of mine and I went shooting there last week. Forest Service bubbas drove up to greet us. The only takeaway they gave us was to not shoot across any thoroughfares--to include that access road. Didn't matter, we weren't doing it anyway.

[Ronin13]

Thought I'd revisit/update this- Went up on a little site recon this afternoon, the road is clear (except for some snow) on Forest Road 192.1, my car made it up about 1/2 way before I had to turn around. I had heard rumors from people that they closed it off and posted signs, but those were obviously unfounded as I didn't see any of that. It's open for recreational use, there are not any posted signs saying no shooting (that I could see), and from looking at the Forest Service's own website: "the Squaw Mountain area is a popular dispersed recreation use area with hiking, recreational target shooting, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and camping." (link (http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72 BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110210&ttype=recarea&recid=28466&actid=101&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110000000000000&pnavid=&cid=null&pname=Clear+Creek+RD+(Surrounding+Idaho+Springs%2C +CO)+-+Squaw+Mountain+Lookout%2FCabin))
I think I'm going to head up there if not this weekend, then next, since I bought a bunch of .223 and 9mm last weekend and we never made it shooting due to Saturday's all day rain storm. Looks to be like a good to go spot with summer just around the corner!

[h2so4]

Thanks for the update!

[Superorb]

Is this area due south of MM247 on I70?

[whitbaby]

I was up at Squaw last fall. Went with friends to do some antenna maintenance on the "H" tower. I did hear some shots off in the distance but couldn't see anything.

I'm told the fire lookout, itself, was built in the 20's. Later on (50's or 60's maybe) the large rock 'home' was built by the state.
A Bob Swanlund and wife Margaret actually lived there year around. He was employed as a radio tech by the state and it was his job to keep the Colorado State Patrol radio repeaters running and looking after the emergency power generator's maintenance. They were a delightful older couple.

At the time there was a grader/snow plow parked up there and Bob would actually plow the road after the larger snowfalls. As they got too old to endure the hard winters up there he retired and they moved to the western slope, around Cedaredge I think. They're both deceased now.
There are several rooms in the rock 'house' containing many radio repeaters, mostly commercial interests and municipal public safety systems. Also several unmarked, locked, federal systems (kind of a no-such-agency room). There are some amateur radio repeaters in the semi-dirt basement.

When I was up there last fall the stairway trap door was open and I could walk around the fire lookout structure. It's been long abandoned in favor of more efficient spotting methods, but the structure and laddering is surprisingly solid. Volunteer groups have done a great job keeping it in good shape. I've seen foxes and mountain goats up there.

Winter access is now gained by various agency snow cats. There is another comm site across the saddle to the north about a quarter mile, lots of antennas and dishes and more modern, heated buildings.

[Ronin13]

Whoops... didn't pay attention here, it's all good. We were up there a few weeks ago and it's G2G! Had some tourists drive by on their way up the road. We had zero contact with any state employees or local LEOs. Plenty of distance on the backstop to go for those longer shots, and wide open for multiple shooters at the same time. Did find out that the area just down hill from the shooting area (an area we used to call "the playground") is not, in fact, national forest, but actually private property. So just stay on 192.1 and you'll be fine, the fences are still intact so no vehicles can drive onto the shooting area. We did however (surprise) come out with about 3x more trash than we came in with, so there's that, and we also left with a ton of 5.56 and 9mm brass, so when I do get into reloading I'll be set for a little bit. Also got a ton of 12GA hulls... maybe this year I'll do that 12GA x-mas light project. [Beer]

[Jrk2262]

Anyone know of this is still GTG? I was planning on going up Friday. Either here or Harris Park.