The long concrete boat ramp at Yamcolo Reservoir is normally mostly underwater in early summer, but this dry year, the ramp never opened. Shown July 3, the bottom of the ramp is already about 60 yards distant from the water level. Photo by Suzie Romig
Recreating on reservoirs or camping near a picturesque lake this summer in a time of extreme drought in Northwest Colorado may require more forethought than a glance at a map. Multiple agricultural use reservoirs in and near Routt County have already dropped to extremely low levels much earlier than in past years.
Local water officials say some key agricultural-use reservoirs, such as Stillwater Reservoir, which serves South Routt County ranchers, only filled to 34% of its acre-feet capacity this year. In other words, the reservoir started the summer as low as it normally is in the fall following the irrigation season, said Andi Schaffner, secretary for reservoir owner Bear River Reservoir Co. Schaffner, a Yampa resident, said 129-acr
5 Permit-Less Alternatives to Hiking Rocky Mountain National Park This Summer
Fire damage and COVID-19 will make snagging backcountry camping permits at RMNP even more difficult this year. Luckily, Colorado is filled with world-class backpacking destinations. Here are some of our paperwork-friendly favorites. Nicholas Hunt •
Editor’s note 3/18/21: After heightened demand for backcountry camping permits crashed Rocky Mountain National Park’s website twice this month, the park has now pivoted to an online lottery system for claiming permits. Names can be entered in the lottery system through Sunday, March 21 at 5 p.m. Find updates and more information online.
Landing your dream backpacking trip in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) isn’t quite as unlikely as winning Mega Millions but it’s always been difficult. Peak-season permits go on sale March 1 at 8 a.m. sharp, and in a normal year, dozens of diehards would be lined up outside the park’s permit office near the