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<br />, <br />~, . <br />\v <br />. ,- ~ <br />r/(in <br /> <br />.\l~( <br /> <br />l.t-~ <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />q-I-17 <br /> <br />\ <br />_.j'~" <br />,,' ' J' <br />" I' <br /> <br />ELK WILD i; SCEiHC RIVeR Sl1JDY <br />As~e.5sment of RCC1'catjonal Values <br /> <br />The portions of the Elk River and its tributaries which are being <br />studied for Their 'Iild :lnd scenic values, are presenTly areas <br />experiencing concentrated public use from a variety of recreational <br />activities. Some of the recreational acdvities which may be <br />experienced along the proposed portion of the Elk hver are: cold <br />water fishing, camping, picnicking, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, <br />viewing outstanding scenery, enjoying a unique or unusual environ- <br />ment, hiking, backpacking, horsepacking, hunting and driving <br />for pleasure. <br /> <br />The 1976 Origin of Use Study figures (derived from developed camping <br />sites) and the resulting state ratios will be used as assumed use <br />patterns for all recreational activities along the Elk. For the <br />developed campgrounds, out 1976 Origin Use Study indicated that <br />52% of all area visitors are from Colorado and 48% of all <br />visitors are from other states. Only .6% of the visitors in this <br />study o,.iginate in Routt County. This an exception fo'r the study <br />because Routt County visitors use this area extensively for day <br />trips or camp in dispersed areas, T'1erefore, the ,6% figure for <br />Routt County use is not an accurate meaSure of actual local recrea- <br />tional use. <br /> <br />Recreational Activities. The following assessments "ill only <br />evaluate the more popular and/or major recreational activities <br />which may occur. This data was obtained primarily through personal <br />observations. <br /> <br />, <br />, <br />,I <br />, <br /> <br />Camping. The Middle Fork of the Elk River has three developed camp- <br />grou~ds which total 48 units and have a PADT of 240. The 1976 VDS <br />for this area was 9,600 days. The campgrounds receive heavy use from <br />June 15 to Labor Day. These areas experience limited use during <br />hunting seaseon. (These figures ,,,ere for a 92 day season, including <br />hunting season ,,) <br /> <br />Fishing. The Elk River provides high quality and quantity fishing <br />to vis[tors. "DIe studied portions of the river are heavily fished <br />as observed from June through September. The presence of many <br />fishermen indicate the popularily of this sport in the study-area, <br /> <br />Hiking. The three forks of the Elk and the trails "hieh fol101' <br />these drain3.ges to their headwaters are regularly used. The North <br />Fork is comprised of the Big Agnes Area and its surrounding la1;es <br />and tr\lils. The t!iddle Fork contains Gilpin and Gold Lakes and <br />their traDs. Dome Lake, Wolverine Lake and North Lake and their <br />trails are the major travel routes in the South Fork region. These <br />areas provide high qua 1 i ty recrenti on for fj shermen 1 hikers, hun ters, <br />and sightseers. T~._.1?<;i ~_ l'-'________ <br />