Arapaho

Arapaho NRA https://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/cs/detail/!ut/p/z1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfIjo8zijQwgwNHCwN_DI8zPyBcqYKAfrh-JKR_mA5cH6jbwNzHwNAxzdLI0cDXyDjYNCDFC0g1SgAM4ArUTtB2_gij8xofrR-lH4Xe_Pn4T_Dzyc1P1C3JDQyMMskwAj5R3nQ!!/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/?position=Not%20Yet%20Determined.Html&pname=Arapaho&ss=110210&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&pnavid=null&navid=100000000000000&ttype=detail&cid=stelprdb5150218 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arapaho_National_Recreation_Area Arapaho National Recreation Area (ANRA) is a scenic water wonderland in the upper reaches of the Colorado River Valley. The ANRA contains five major reservoirs: Lake Granby, Shadow Mountain Lake, Monarch Lake, Willow Creek Reservoir and Meadow Creek Reservoir. Grand Lake, adjacent to the ANRA, with its deep, clear blue waters, is the largest natural lake in Colorado. Together, the lakes and reservoirs are often referred to as the "Great Lakes of Colorado." The ANRA is a world-class place to boat, camp, hike, fish, ice fish, snowmobile, view wildlife, horseback ride and hold events.

Arapaho National Recreation Area ANRA News Serving Colorado’s Great Lakes Region 2017 Edition Volume 17 USDA Forest Service Your fees at work New docks at Green Ridge provide safer access for public and partners By Dan Matthews ANRA Manager In the spring of 2016, the ANRA installed new public and administrative docks at the Green Ridge boat ramp. These floating docks are located on the south shore of Shadow Mountain Reservoir. The two public docks replaced the previous docks that had been in place for almost 25 years. Those docks had been damaged over the years by shifting ice and were in danger of slipping off the foundation pillars. The new docks are two feet wider than the old docks and have weather resistant decking. The Forest Service was also able to replace its administrative dock at Green Ridge. That dock, which is located several hundred yards west of the public docks, allows the ANRA to store their boats while operating on Shadow Mountain Reservoir. Although used mainly by the Forest Service there are other government agencies that use that dock. Funding for this project came from the fees collected in the ANRA and from an internal grant funded by recreation area fees through the Forest Service’s Regional Office. The grant provided $24,000 in 2015 to pay for the purchase and delivery of the new docks. Installing weather resistant decking on the new docks. That funding paid for the anchors, hardware, metal rope and other materials needed to finalize the installation of the three docks. Forest Service employees set the anchor buoys and secured those to the docks. These are very high quality docks and we hope you enjoy them for decades to come. Construction The Point Park picnic area provides outstanding views of Mt. Baldy and the high mountains east of the Town of Grand Lake. The picnic area is located partially along Grand Lake and partially along the channel that connects Grand Lake to Shadow Mountain Reservoir. The Point Park walkway provides handicap accessible bathrooms, benches, fishing platforms and picnic pavilions. In September 2016, U.S. Forest Service crews replaced a section of that walkway. The section was built with a timber edging and a crusher fines trail surface. This surface will be easier and less expensive to maintain than the previous blacktop. The majority of the funding for the materials was provided by the Arapaho Roosevelt Pawnee Foundation. The Foundation is an organization dedicated to collecting funds specifically for important Forest Service projects. The work in 2016 included reconstruction of 400 feet of walkway, improved access to benches, three fishing platforms, and one picnic pavilion. This constituted the great majority of work that needed to be done. The remaining work, repaving the walkways for the four remaining pavilions, will be completed in 2017. Page 2 ANRA News Winter Wonderland The Arapaho National Recreation Area is open year-round Flatwater recreation is one of the major draws of the Arapaho National Recreation Area. From the time the ice melts in May until the first snows of October, the recreation area invites visitors from across the state for its prime boating, camping and fishing opportunities. Once the ice thickens, the lake surfaces and trails of the ARNA have many adventures in store for the outdoor enthusiast. Jon Morrissey and Pearl Meet the Ranger All the ANRA reservoirs are popular for ice fishing. The Three Lakes Ice Fishing Contest occurs Jan. 27- 29, 2017. In June 2016, the Sulphur Ranger District, which manages the ANRA, welcomed a new district ranger, Jon Morrissey. He replaces Craig Magwire who retired after serving as the district ranger for more than a decade. Morrissey comes to the Arapaho National Forest from the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire. Since 2013, he has been the District Ranger on the Pemigewasset District. Prior to that he was the Leadville District Ranger on the San Isabel National Forest. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, he has a master’s degree in forestry from Texas A&M University. “Jon brings an extensive amount of natural resource and administrative experience to the Forest,” said Forest Supervisor Monte Williams. “His experience in recreation management, working with partners, and in building and maintaining relationships internally and externally will be an incredible asset to the District and the ANRA.” SNOWMOBILING is enjoyed in the forest and on Lake Granby and Shadow Mountain Reservoir. FAT TIRE BIKING over snow covered roads and groomed trails is a new sport that is gaining popularity. CROSS COUNTRY SKIING & SNOWSHOEING happens throughout the Sulphur Ranger District in the winter months. Monarch Lake provides a good opportunity for snow travelers to get some exercise. Page 3 2017 Edition MOOSE ON THE LOOSE A moose at Shadow Mountain Reservoir. Though one of the most majestic looking creatures in Colorado, these are also one of the state’s most dangerous animals. Th