Gate on Shubarth Road

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EricG

EricG

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Copied from Facebook post:

Heads up, hunters and fellow public-land users: a private landowner has installed a gate intended to block access on Forest Service Road 307, just east of Woodland Park on the Rampart Range.
This is the only motorized access to this section of National Forest, and many of us have used it for decades (and some even longer) for recreation—hunting, foraging, hiking, camping, and more.
I’ve attached a section of the 2026 Pikes Peak Ranger District Motor Vehicle Use Map and circled the gate location in red. It is located on 307 about ¼ miles East of the intersection of 300 and 307.
If this gate is closed and blocking your access, please call the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office at 719-520-7100.
For more information, you can reach out to District Ranger Carl Bauer at 719-477-4202 [carl.bauer@usda.gov](mailto:carl.bauer@usda.gov).

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I saw that last weekend. Went through both ways with no issues, but I was curious what the deal was.
Has there been any instances the gate was closed, that you know of?
 
vabluefish said:
I saw that last weekend. Went through both ways with no issues, but I was curious what the deal was.
Has there been any instances the gate was closed, that you know of?
Click to expand...
According to the FB comments, some folks had an issue back in March.

A twist - apparently Shubarth is now a seasonal closure, Nov 30 - Apr 1. So maybe the owner only intends to close it when the trail is closed? Not sure how it's their place to enforce it though.
 
Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t there other private properties further down the road that this gate would prevent access to?
 
I discussed this topic on a phone call with a USFS Ranger friend on an unofficial basis. As mentioned in the FB post, our direct contact is Carl Bauer. Carl’s phone is blowing up with callers concerned with this topic.

This issue has been pushed to the state and federal (Washington) level. We are encouraged to contact the following:
  • Our congressional representative
  • Ryan Neal, the Supervisor of the Pueblo USFS office
There is a local USFS meeting this Thursday, 5/07/26 and this topic will probably be the main focus of the meeting. All are welcome to attend. Perhaps someone reading this post can provide time and place.

The landowner says the USFS does not own the road. My contact is not sure and it is being investigated. Already, downstream landowners have been locked in and had to ask the gate landowner to let them out. This is similar to the Manchester Creek closure many years ago and there is uncertainty as to easements and who owns them. (Note – the Manchester Creek closure was done by the previous owner, not the current owner who some of us have gotten to know during our Christmas tree patrols.)

Schubarth is targeted for a winter seasonal closure but it is not clear as to when, precisely, this will happen because gates and signs are not yet installed. It takes time to do this.

The 2025 MVUM map is current for official road closures. The Mt. Hermon road will be seasonally closed this winter, for the same reason that the northern segment of Rampart Range road is, because of winter accidents and frequent need to involve Search and Rescue. This is why we can’t have nice things.
 
Excellent update Vic. Does anyone know who the gate landowner is?
 
Edited to add the email invitation to Thursday's 5th annual OHV meeting (forwarded to me by SAS):

Hi all;
Please join us for our 5th annual OHV meeting to discuss projects on the Pikes Peak Ranger District! This meeting is for OHV users and volunteer groups that use Pikes Peak Ranger District OHV trails, want to help us with maintenance and improvements, or already conduct approved OHV trail work.
Topics will include:
  • Current USFS agency goals and funding and how that impacts projects
  • Projects we have planned for Fiscal Year 2026 and how you can help
  • Update on trainings/certifications offered to partners/volunteer groups
  • Volunteer OHV group work days planned for 2026
Please let me know if you plan on attending or not.
Date: May 7th
Time: 5:00-6:30 PM
Location: Cheyenne Mountain Library – Community Room 1785 S. 8th St. Colorado Springs

We look forward to seeing you all!

Samantha
From: Gooch, Samantha - FS, CO <Samantha.Gooch@usda.gov>
 
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