Hiking/Shooting Group

[Pancho Villa]

Basic idea: Meet somewhere close into Pikes National Forest, and take a rough country hike what appears to be about 4-5 miles to the area that the forest service (per their FAQ) says is okay to shoot at. The purpose is to familiarize ourselves with moving through the forest, good exercise and, of course, to shoot. From the USDA Forest Service FAQ, question 40, the place they advise is north of forest development road 322A.

This weekend I will see if this hike is even possible, but here are pics of the proposed route (the "A" is at the same point on a road in all pictures, for easy reference)

Map of the proposed route

Terrain capture of the proposed route

Sat pic of the proposed route

Edit: For some reason the above seems to be blocking links from co-ar15.com?

Manual links: http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/7553/routemap.jpg

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/4294/routeterrain.jpg

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/374/routesat.jpg

The proposed route takes the shooter/shooters just south of North Monument Creek. Rules for the group would be pretty common sense - bring a trash bag and pack out everything (food, brass, targets,) that you bring in with you. Ideally we'd start early and be back by some time in the afternoon. The route will be about 4-4.5 miles over rough terrain.

First off, is anyone interested in this?

Second, does anyone know if the proposed hike would be undoable due to restrictive terrain or any other reason? I know shooting is prohibited in El Paso county, but that far north we'd be in Teller county.

[Chief_of_Scouts]

Wish I could give you some advice on this, but all images are still being blocked. I suppose Imageshack is anti-gun.

[mrgreencom]

Yes, I am definitely interested in this! Great idea!
Unfortunately, I can't do it this weekend, but let me know if there is one in the future. It would be great fun and give me some much needed training!

BTW, I sent you a PM about image hosting.

[68Charger]

Wish I could give you some advice on this, but all images are still being blocked. I suppose Imageshack is anti-gun.

either paste the links into another browser window, or if you're using Firefox, then try this:

go to www.crazedlist.org
you'll see some instructions on turning off referring headers... then Imageshack won't know where you're coming from...

[Eow]

I am interested as well, depending on what day you are going.

[AK545Man]

I too would be down at a later date. As long as I can bring my AK

I also have a large alice sack that I would like to pack and see what toll it takes on me. This would definately be a good experience.

[Pancho Villa]

Okay, because of park closures in basically all of Douglas County, anywhere in that area is more or less verboten unless you have a hunter's license. Incentive for me to get on with getting my small game license, I suppose, but until then its hunter-only.

South of that, there's another shooting restriction in all of El Paso county. USDA forest service website says:

Q40. Can I do recreational shooting on Mt. Herman Road?

A. Although recreational shooting is generally permitted in the National Forest there are exceptions and conditions. The exceptions are normally outlined in Special Orders. In this case, Special Order 91-08 prohibits recreation/target shooting in all of El Paso County including the area west of Monument. You can obtain a map from us that shows you exactly where these restrictions apply. The best alternative area for recreation/target shooting west of Monument is off Mt. Herman Road and down Forest Development Road (FDR) 322A. This area is located in Teller County approximately six miles from Red Rocks Ranch Road. The other common sense conditions are as follows: (1) you cannot discharge a firearm in or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area (2) you cannot discharge a firearm across or on a Forest Development road or a body of water adjacent thereto, or in any manner or place whereby any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result in such discharge (3) you cannot discharge a firearm into or within any cave. I would also advise you to familiarize yourself with Colorado State law regarding possessing and transporting firearms.

Probably early monday I will go out to that area and see what's what. Tomorrow the wife and I will search for good places west of the S. Platte River - you can shoot in Pike National Forest there, but only 0.25 miles or more away from the river - off of C67.

So a good memorial day weekend spent outdoors for me, and ideally come next week I'll be able to provide more data as to where we can go.

Thanks for all the interest. I'll keep y'all updated. And of course if anyone knows a good place to go hiking in that forest, please let everyone know. Ideally once or twice a month we'd meet up, pack out for a few miles, then shoot and hike back.