Blue Lakes parking lot reopens
The gate to access the U.S. Forest Service’s Blue Lakes trailhead via County Road 7 has reopened after more than four months of construction and restoration work.
Hikers will find a reconstructed parking area, a new bathroom and marked restoration areas near Lower Blue Lake. Crews spent 45 days decompressing soil, removing unofficial trails, reseeding the land and planting new trees in those restoration areas, according to an announcement from Ouray County.
County staff shared news of the reopening in lieu of the Forest Service, which is closed due to the federal government shutdown, which has lasted 15 days as of Wednesday.
According Ouray County’s announcement, the federal agency will plan its second phase of work at the trailhead this winter, which will include new kiosks, signs, a hardened stream crossing to the upper basin of the Blue Lakes area and a permit system for users. It’s unclear when any of that work or the permit system will begin.
The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre & Gunnison National Forests public information officer is furloughed and did not respond to the Plaindealer’s request for comment via phone or email.
