| Contact: Reghan Cloudman, 970-295-6770
Winter Recreation Abounds: Fun & Safety in the Snow
Fort Collins, Colo. (February 2, 2007)- For those trying to avoid the weekend crowds on I-70, there is plenty to do on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District in Larimer County, including snowshoeing and cross country skiing. The Cameron Pass area, northwest of Fort Collins along Highway 14, is a popular winter recreation destination. There are 17 trails on U.S. Forest Service land and Colorado State Forest State Parks land for both snowshoeing and cross country skiing, as well as some backcountry skiing opportunities. Details about Cameron Pass are available at www.fs.fed.us/r2/arnf/recreation/winter-rec/xcskisnowshoe/index.shtml. At particularly snowy times, the Mount Margaret Trail near Red Feather Lakes is a great lower-elevation option for these activities as well. Snowmobiling is another popular winter activity on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District. Deadman Road, west of Red Feather Lakes, is an often-visited spot. Others enjoy venturing a bit further to the Laramie River Road and Greenridge Road. Visitors are reminded to make sure they are not in a wilderness area with snowmobiles. Another activity recreators enjoy is ice fishing, although anglers are encouraged to practice the utmost safety – just because a lake is covered in snow does not mean it is safe to ice fish. Check the Colorado Division of Wildlife’s ice fishing safety page at http://wildlife.state.co.us/Fishing/ResourcesTips/IceFishing/IceFishingSafety.htm for more information. No matter what activity is your cup of (hot) tea, safety is a must. Every year people die or are injured from avalanches in Colorado. Before heading out into the mountains, everyone is encouraged to check the daily avalanche updates from the Colorado Avalanche Center at http://avalanche.state.co.us/. Other safety precautions include having all the necessary safety gear for your specific activity and communicating with others about where you are going and when you will return. Don’t forget at a minimum to take extra clothing, sunscreen, maps, food and water. The Canyon Lakes Ranger District encourages everyone to make the most of the snow on the ground in a safe manner. Stop by our visitor information center at 2150 Centre Avenue, Building E, in Fort Collins for help planning your trip to the snowy forest, as well as picking up brochures and maps. Or, if you don’t have time to stop by, call 970-295-6700 and one of our visitor information specialists can answer your questions.
###
| 
