Forest Road 600 leaves Eagle County Road 301 at the Colorado River, 1.5 miles north of Interstate 70. This road is the only access to the south side of the wilderness, 39 miles from the blacktop.
Road access is dependent both on maintenance and season. Federal and state highways are maintained in all weather conditions. County roads are cleared where year-round access is needed. Roads that are usually, but not always, opened by Memorial Day are Rio Blanco County Road 8 over Ripple Creek Pass, Routt County Road 7 to Stillwater Reservoir, and Garfield County Road 150 up Sweetwater Creek. Forest Road 600, on the plateau leading to the southeast part of the wilderness, is usually open by July 4, sometimes earlier. It’s best to check with the White River National Forest supervisor at Glenwood Springs, (970) 319-2670, before making travel plans.
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REGULATIONS AND COMMON SENSE
Along with the freedom to travel wherever you like, there’s a responsibility. Most of us care about a quality wilderness experience. It’s the few who don’t care that make regulations necessary. Fortunately, most are commonsense practices that will make your Flat Tops visit more enjoyable. Flat Tops Wilderness regulations are available from Forest Service offices in Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Rifle, Meeker, and Yampa, and are posted at all trailheads.
Locate campsites, campfires, and recreational stock at least 100 feet from lakes, streams, and trails. At Hooper, Keener, Trappers, and Smith Lakes, locate camps a quarter mile from the lakeshore. Camping is allowed only in designated sites at Deer Lake. Vegetation and soils adjacent to lakes and streams are sensitive to disturbance. Camping away from trails and lakes adds to a visitor’s sense of solitude.
The largest party size is a combination of 25 people and/or recreational stock. Larger groups require a permit because they tend to damage trails and campsites.
Use of motorized vehicles, motorized equipment, motorboats, or other forms of mechanical transport such as bicycle, handcarts, etc., within the wilderness is prohibited.
Landing of aircraft or dropping of materials, supplies, or persons from aircraft in the wilderness is prohibited.
Camping, campfires, and hitching or tethering of recreational stock is prohibited within a quarter mile of Trappers Lake.
Dogs, except for working stock dogs and those used for legal hunting purposes, will be on a leash not to exceed 6 feet in length when within a quarter mile of Trappers Lake. Pets must be under control at all times. Uncontrolled dogs should not be permitted to harass wildlife and other visitors.
For livestock, bring in only processed feeds or pellets. Only certified weed-free hay is permitted in national forests, wilderness areas, and state lands. Pack animals are a part of the wilderness experience for some visitors. Hikers and backpackers meeting riders and pack animals should step off the trail until they pass. If you take Phydeaux, restrain him until horses have passed to avoid spooking them.
Equipment, personal property, or supplies may not be left for more than fourteen continuous days.
Wash at least 100 feet from lakes and streams. Use biodegradable soap and dispose of waste water in the soil. This is to prevent contaminating the water.
Bury human waste at least 100 feet from lakes and streams and 6 inches in the soil so it will decompose naturally.
Pack out everything you bring in and any other trash you may find along the way. Food scraps and bits of paper may be burned. Do not bury trash or food scraps.
Avoid fragile areas. Do not shortcut trails on switchbacks, especially in places others will follow and create new paths that lead to erosion. Rarely will the practice save time.
You are requested to register at wilderness trailheads to assist USFS personnel in managing the wilderness. It also helps rangers locate you in case of emergency. Lodges and outfitters are required to have permits and usually have small areas reserved for their use for campsites. Only the outfitters, their employees, and clients may use these areas. These sites are identified by a Forest Service permit near the camp. When using a guide or outfitter, clients are advised to verify that these businesses have the proper permits.
Fireweed are found almost everywhere in the Flat Tops. They were given their name for being one of the first plants to appear following a fire.
There’s no need to dig a trench around any modern, well-made backpacking tent. It’s also unsightly and leads to erosion of the volcanic clay soils that predominate here.
In some cases, the use of wheelchairs by the disabled may be permitted. Check with the Forest Service first, though.
No matter where we go, trash will always be found. There is no excuse for leaving litter. Most camping garbage can be burned. Aluminum beverage cans should be crushed, and then packed out. After all, they weighed almost a pound when you took them in full and almost nothing when you take them out empty.
While they may not be trash, meat poles put up by hunters detract from the visual experience in the wilderness. If you need one, build it using rope rather than bailing wire, which cuts into trees, then dismantle it when you pack out your game. Fluorescent flagging to mark downed game is also unsightly. If you must use flagging, remove it when it’s no longer needed. Many hunters use horses in the Flat Tops. Rather than build corrals using logs, nails, and wire to contain stock, it’s better to use rope.
The most important rule to remember in the wilderness is to respect the land. Practicing low impact travel preserves the land for future generations. Treat the Flat Tops as if you owned it. The wilderness is your land. Respect it.
The Flat Tops has a lot of snags caused by disease and insects years ago. For this reason, be especially careful with fires, whether using wood or a stove. Keep your campfire small. Use only dead wood. Also, select a campsite away from snags. The USFS estimates that 10 snags per acre are felled by wind each
