Squaw Pass Site

I stopped by there the other day on my way to Mount Evans to see what I could see -

A rock outcrop where bottles get shot -

http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/8499/img0071kp.jpg

What's left of a car -

http://img863.imageshack.us/img863/8113/img0070tt.jpg

it's door -

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/508/img0067h.jpg

Getting there -

I climbed the east entry in my 4X4 truck and recommend that you only attempt entering the site this way if you have the same.

I left the area on the road that comes out (or starts) right above Echo Mtn- it's rough but doable in a 2 wheel drive truck or car.

Condition -

The site needs a cleanup big time. I bet a group could rake up enough casings to fill a dumpster. There is some trash, but not that much really.

Shooting -

Lots of good backstop (the mountain) to shoot against. Wide enough for a group but the downrange distance is not very far (when shooting against the hill).

Location -

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http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/9712/spsm.jpg

whats the best way to get there from denver and how long of a drive is it ?

FROM DENVER - take I-70 to Evergreen Parkway, then turn right on Squaw Pass Road -

From I-70 West of Idaho Springs -

Take the road off of I-70 that goes to Mt. Evans (Squaw Pass Road).

Went today, shot for a few hours, cleaned up a lot of brass and shotgun hulls. Not a bad little spot. Not a lot for distance shooting but I was shooting the AR, shotty and the XDm 9mm. [Beer]

Just south of that shooting area on the photo you'll see it says KBDI, at that location is one of the largest antenna tower systems supporting many radio systems for the denver metro area. Things like FBI, RTD, DPD, etc. Been up there several times with the ham radio club to work on systems. You can drive up most of the way, and then park at the gate and walk up. Great views of the metro area and a place to have a picnic lunch.

I've shot there before. It is pretty close, and I'm pretty sure I've seen that same car. This was about 2 years ago.

I know the kid who used to own that car... He's a little S*** who doesn't give a hoot about anything. We went up the the week after he brought it up there. I used to camp at that same spot back in '03-'05 but now that it's pretty well known we don't camp there, just shoot. I feel like one of the originals since I've been going up there since 2002, and back then there were a lot more trees in the clearing, and less trash and other stuff.

I don't want to sound like a Scrooge, but I question the wisdom of posting directions to this spot (or other spots) on the forum. In the past, we've been a bit more careful about publicly disclosing our favorite spots. Is there any way that we could have a section on the board that only members can access? That way we can share this kind of info with each other, but still try to preserve and protect our spots, by not inviting irresponsible folks who may ruin it for us all.

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Originally Posted by Fentonite

I don't want to sound like a Scrooge, but I question the wisdom of posting directions to this spot (or other spots) on the forum. In the past, we've been a bit more careful about publicly disclosing our favorite spots. Is there any way that we could have a section on the board that only members can access? That way we can share this kind of info with each other, but still try to preserve and protect our spots, by not inviting irresponsible folks who may ruin it for us all.

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I think it's pretty safe to say, at least from my experience, it's already too late for the Squaw pass area on that end. I was there a few weeks ago and it was a freaking nightmare with all the trash and casings and broken glass.

I agree that it's getting worse. That's exactly why I thought it might be wise to stop advertising for even more people who will make a mess and not clean it up, and possibly lead to us losing the site all together. Just my 2 cents.

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Originally Posted by Fentonite

I agree that it's getting worse. That's exactly why I thought it might be wise to stop advertising for even more people who will make a mess and not clean it up, and possibly lead to us losing the site all together. Just my 2 cents.

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Not sure if you're like me, but every time I'm up there I tell people it would be nice if they left with more trash than they brought in... I don't just say it, I do it too! 9/10 times I feel like it falls on deaf ears.

Same here. Pisses me off when they see me raking up other people's trash, and they still leave a mess, even when I've offered them a garbage bag.

I agree with Fentonite with a private members only sub forum for places to shoot...if that's possible. I go to Squaw pass alot and always pick up 3-5 bags of trash, a few weeks ago I spent an hour just picking up brass...got 20lbs[Weight] worth!!

If you guys think we should have "Places to Shoot" for members only, you'll have to ask one of the Admins or Moderators.

Sounds like a good idea to me.

A couple of weeks ago when Ronin13 organized a meet up there Jplove (Jeff) and I met at a spot off the Echo Mtn entry. We then went at the fork and turned down into a little shooting spot up against the hillside. There was lots of casings and trash. We policed our own brass but unfortunately didn't have any trash bags to clean up more. It really isn't too far at all. When I first went up there I made the mistake of going up to Evergreen through Morrison and of course got stuck behind the cruisers and grannies. I live off C470 & Bowles so thought it would be quicker, wrong. This past weekend took the family up there for a scenic drive and came back home on I-70 to C470, much quicker! It is a good spot for me to head up there and shoot from where I live and even anyone else in the Denver metro area. Will definitely remember the trash bags next time to do my part in helping clean up there.

I asked for this forum to be for members only-

http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41960

Went up this last weekend, couple of people drove but not at all crowded. Not that much trash just alot of brass and shotgun shells came home with 2 trash bags worth. Not a bad spot for plinking

we got over 20 bags of trash today , so the place should be pretty clean for a week or two

removed to keep Squaw pass from becoming like Left-Hand

Although I don't shoot much on public land, I'd be happy to help clean up such places if a clean-up date was set for a weekday (I'm not keen on being shot by the clueless sorts). I can't help but think a few places closer to me have been shut due to abuse by those that use them.

I will probably check this place out.

It takes me about 1hr to goto Lefthand Canyon.
It use to took me 75min to goto North Site. It will take about same for Squaw pass from where I live.

I live south of 92nd and Federal and I think I can get to Squaw Pass in under an hour.

yep its one of the last weeks for squaw pass clean up before i move on to the next site

Is it possible to access this site without a 4x4? I'm looking for a place to shoot in that same area.

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Originally Posted by mackbamf

Is it possible to access this site without a 4x4? I'm looking for a place to shoot in that same area.

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Yes.

I was just there today. Lots of glass o.O =[

Hmm I was the guy on the bike if that was you.

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Originally Posted by JackImpact

I was just there today. Lots of glass o.O =[

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I was up there last Sunday and tried handing out trash bags but no one wanted any. They only wanted to pick up their trash and no one elses but I guess that's better than not picking any up! And yes there's a shit ton of glass up there...