The 2001 Lefthand Canyon Cleanup was a great success.
Even with the four days of rain prior to the cleanup, we had over 100
people volunteer from eight different clubs. Northern Colorado Trail
Riders, Rocky Mountain Enduro Circuit, Trailridge Runners 4WD Club,
Colorado Go-4's, Big Thompson 4 Wheelers, Hillbillies, Mile Hi Jeep
Club, the Hobo Jeepers of Mile Hi Jeep Club, and members of the local
shooting community.
This year we had two dumpsters, our normal donated
one, and another purchased by the Boulder Ranger District. There was
a large turn out early and the first shooting area was picked up quickly.
Darrel had his Bobcat which worked great with Ray’s pickup dump
bed for transferring the bags of trash to the dumpster.
By 11:00am we had the majority of the Lefthand area
cleaned up. A few went up to the upper meadows, but with all the rain
earlier, the going was sloppy. The hot dogs and hamburgers were cooked
up and ready before noon. Everyone had their fill. During Lunch Martha
Moran of the Boulder Ranger District thanked all of us volunteers for
helping take care of our public lands. John Oppenlander of the Boulder
Ranger District was also present and communicated with the volunteers
during the project about safety concerns.
After lunch a group went up to the shooting area along
County 94 beyond Lefthand and cleaned it up as well. By the end of the
project both dumpsters were full.
Though the plan was to install the new “No Shooting”
signs purchased by the Forest Service during the cleanup, the prior
weather prevented the post installation. After the Cleanup the 3' x
4' steel plate signs were installed onto concrete filled 8" square
steel tubing at the two shooting areas below the 4WD road, before the
hairpin turn. Though the signs will be shot at, it will take some time
to completely destroy these 1" thick plates. The Forest Service
also plans to increase enforcement this summer of the No Shooting order
placed on the area below the 4WD road.
