CANON CITY, COLO. -- There is a change being proposed to one of the trailheads that serves a few fourteeners (14,000-ft peaks) in Colorado.
The South Colony Basin, which provides access to Humboldt Peak, Crestone Peak and the Crestone Needle, is a heavily traveled trail. Necessary trailhead improvements have cost about a million dollars, and more improvements are necessary to preserve the wildlife and habitats.
The U.S. Forest Service is proposing a fee for use of the area.
The proposed fee is $10 per hiker and $20 per camper.
The fee would not limit the number of hikers.
The Forest Service is gauging public reaction and seeking feedback on the issue. They want to make sure the hikers are aware of the reason for the fees and the benefits that the extra funds would serve. However, no other forest service trailhead to a fourteener requires a fee.
If approved, the new fee could go into effect by 2011.
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