Thank you for this very personal perspective on the iconic Weimenuche Wilderness. As a field representative for both Congressmen Ray Kogovsek and Ben Nighthorse Campbell, I worked with the Forest Service and statewide environmental organizations, including Mark Pearson, on HR 631 which passed the House during the last term of Rep Kogovsek in 1984 but did not pass the Senate until 1993. It was shepherded by Senator Tim Wirth with scant help from Senator Hank Brown. With Senator Bill Armstrong finally out of the way, being the staunch supporter of the "water buffaloes" on the issue of Federal reserved water rights, the path cleared for Presidrnt Clinton to sign Public Law 103-77, 9 years after the bill passed the house in '84. It picked up many of the remaining roadless areas but some still remain unprotected.
It was quite a journey over those 9 years, and my privilege to work with the people at that time holding the concept of wilderness in their hearts to the finish line, on the tarmac of Stapleton airport where Presudrnt Bill Clinton signed the bill into law in August of 1993.
Thanks, Jonathan, for highlighting the Weminuche, a fabulous Colorado gem. Almost 30 years ago, not long after our family moved to Colorado, my wife got a notion to take our childrens' east coast cousins on a backpacking trip. We settled on the Weminuche, and mapped out a lengthy loop trip for us and 6 kids in the 12-14 year old range. Our own children had already backpacked several times, but for the others, a brand new experience. An adventure for all that set them on a lifetime of savoring the outdoors. A few weeks ago we went to the wedding of one of them, who has always said that trip changed his life. He had just taken about 12 buddies on a bachelors' party backpacking in the Sierra Nevada, some of them their first time. At the wedding reception he said once again that that initial backpacking trip with us had changed his life. Well, I kind of think the Weminuche changed his life, and we were just along for the ride.
Almost all your stories evoke some memory or thoughts. Re: wilderness vs. MTB trails. I think in the '90s expansion, the Zirkel wilderness boundary moved downhill to include a mile or so of steep gnarly canyonside trail which had been part of a 20 or 30 mile loop, otherwise mostly two-track & gravel, right outta Steamboat. I either didn't know or care and poached it downhill on a hot June afternoon. Of course, the "creek" at the bottom was in raging snowmelt flood, and pushing the bike back up seemed depressing. I was fully spanked by the crossing, to the point of having my feet swept out from under me with bike in hand for a few moments.
It seems like lots of "new" concepts have infused the GOP re "environment." I could go on and on about that. On the bright side, based on my experience with solar and wind siting controversies, there does seem to be "bipartisan" support for maintaining anything for many forms of wildlife. Or that's what gets said. Sometimes it feels like "anything but wind and solar and batteries."
I am reading that Argentine Beef has notorious Tapeworms. If this is true, the word needs to get out. RFK will appreciate this invasion of our meat supply. Maybe Republican Cattlemen will have second thoughts about their MAGA affiliation?
Thank you for this very personal perspective on the iconic Weimenuche Wilderness. As a field representative for both Congressmen Ray Kogovsek and Ben Nighthorse Campbell, I worked with the Forest Service and statewide environmental organizations, including Mark Pearson, on HR 631 which passed the House during the last term of Rep Kogovsek in 1984 but did not pass the Senate until 1993. It was shepherded by Senator Tim Wirth with scant help from Senator Hank Brown. With Senator Bill Armstrong finally out of the way, being the staunch supporter of the "water buffaloes" on the issue of Federal reserved water rights, the path cleared for Presidrnt Clinton to sign Public Law 103-77, 9 years after the bill passed the house in '84. It picked up many of the remaining roadless areas but some still remain unprotected.
It was quite a journey over those 9 years, and my privilege to work with the people at that time holding the concept of wilderness in their hearts to the finish line, on the tarmac of Stapleton airport where Presudrnt Bill Clinton signed the bill into law in August of 1993.
Thanks, Jonathan, for highlighting the Weminuche, a fabulous Colorado gem. Almost 30 years ago, not long after our family moved to Colorado, my wife got a notion to take our childrens' east coast cousins on a backpacking trip. We settled on the Weminuche, and mapped out a lengthy loop trip for us and 6 kids in the 12-14 year old range. Our own children had already backpacked several times, but for the others, a brand new experience. An adventure for all that set them on a lifetime of savoring the outdoors. A few weeks ago we went to the wedding of one of them, who has always said that trip changed his life. He had just taken about 12 buddies on a bachelors' party backpacking in the Sierra Nevada, some of them their first time. At the wedding reception he said once again that that initial backpacking trip with us had changed his life. Well, I kind of think the Weminuche changed his life, and we were just along for the ride.
Almost all your stories evoke some memory or thoughts. Re: wilderness vs. MTB trails. I think in the '90s expansion, the Zirkel wilderness boundary moved downhill to include a mile or so of steep gnarly canyonside trail which had been part of a 20 or 30 mile loop, otherwise mostly two-track & gravel, right outta Steamboat. I either didn't know or care and poached it downhill on a hot June afternoon. Of course, the "creek" at the bottom was in raging snowmelt flood, and pushing the bike back up seemed depressing. I was fully spanked by the crossing, to the point of having my feet swept out from under me with bike in hand for a few moments.
It seems like lots of "new" concepts have infused the GOP re "environment." I could go on and on about that. On the bright side, based on my experience with solar and wind siting controversies, there does seem to be "bipartisan" support for maintaining anything for many forms of wildlife. Or that's what gets said. Sometimes it feels like "anything but wind and solar and batteries."
Happy Trails!
I loved this history lesson — thank you.
I am reading that Argentine Beef has notorious Tapeworms. If this is true, the word needs to get out. RFK will appreciate this invasion of our meat supply. Maybe Republican Cattlemen will have second thoughts about their MAGA affiliation?