Summit County: Blue River campground re-opening

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Logging is done, restoration under way at riverside camping area

The Blue River campground was clearcut to remove beetle-killed trees, but it re-opens this summer after a two-year closure.

Open for business as of Memorial Day!

SUMMIT COUNTY — After a two-year closure, the Blue River campground, north of Silverthorne, will open for the summer on Memorial Day weekend.

“This campground has been closed to the public the last two years to allow for the removal of the bark beetle-killed trees,” said Ken Waugh, recreation staff officers for the Dillon Ranger District.

All the mature lodgepole trees were killed by the insects and removed, but a few aspen, cottonwood, and spruce trees still present to provide some screening and shade. In mid-May, 3,000 tiny seedling were planted around the campground by volunteers in a project coordinated by the Friends of the Dillon Ranger District and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado.   (more…)

Filed under: camping, Colorado, Dillon Ranger District, Dillon Reservoir, Forest health, forests, pine beetles, public lands, recreation, Silverthorne, Summit County Colorado, US Forest Service, White River National Forest | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Summit County: Tree-planting volunteers wanted

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Some forest health efforts in Summit County are shifting to restoration mode.

Forest Service, stewardship groups team up to replace beetle-killed trees at Blue River campground

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The beetles came, the trees died and now it’s time to help restore the forest. That’s the plan for May 14 at the Blue River campground, north of Silverthorne, where about 120 volunteers are needed to plant a mix of 3,000 native seedlings throughout the barren campsites.

“Throughout most of the Dillon Ranger District, regeneration will occur naturally,” said Ken Waugh, the recreation staff officer on the Dillon Ranger District. “Young lodgepole and, in many areas, aspen have already started to come in. Re-establishing a forest in and around developed campgrounds is especially important because trees provide screening and shade which are essential to provide the natural setting that campers desire,” he added. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Dillon Ranger District, Environment, Forest health, forests, pine beetles, pine beetles and wildfires, recreation, Summit County Colorado, US Forest Service, White River National Forest | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

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