Facts to Include in Your Letter
- The "Backcountry Area" prescription should be used to protect West Hermosa Creek. Mountain bikers want to work with the agency and other stakeholders to protect the pristine nature of West Hermosa Creek.
- The San Juan National Forest is not without Wilderness. The region already includes the Weminuche, Lizard Head, South San Juan and Piedra Wilderness areas.
- The Weminuche Wilderness is the largest Wilderness area in Colorado at over 500,000 acres. Adding more is simply not needed.
- Countless studies have shown mountain biking as having LESS impact than horseback riding, which is currently allowed in Wilderness areas.
- Forest Service Representative Thurman Wilson has been quoted as saying, “The reason we selected that area is that we didn’t feel like there was much use on that part of the roadless area. Plus, the Colorado Trail certainly goes through sections of wilderness elsewhere.”
- The first point is false. The area is used quite commonly by mountain bikers.
- The second point is not logical. Because the CO Trail goes through Wilderness in other areas provides no support for doing so in this case.
- Forest Service Representative Thurman Wilson also said, “All along we’ve wanted to protect that wild character (Hermosa Roadless Area), while respecting the traditional uses.”
- We couldn’t agree more. Mountain biking is the best example of “traditional uses” in this area. Please respect it.
- The trail system in the West Hermosa Creek area is one of the few remaining backcountry trail experiences available to mountain bikers. It should remain intact.
- The Colorado Trail from Molas Pass to Junction Creek is one of our country’s finest example of a contiguous backcountry experience open to mountain bikers. It should remain intact.
- Please read “IMBA’s Article: Mountain Bikers Aren’t Mechanized Trail Users!”