S. Colony 2WD TH - overnight no more?

[cedica]

It's still a bummer, though, and a reminder to roll in late, head out early, and not be a jerk.

https://www.reddit.com/r/urbancarliving ... e_changer/

Some hilarious comments there, including my favorite "I'm not even living in my car, but inspired by all these ideas. It's helped me go back to a minimalism mindset."

[JSFromKY]

I understand where you're coming from, but I don't agree with that mentality. I think it's important to do the right thing regardless of being caught especially with bigger picture in mind. Clearly, the landowner felt there to be good enough reason to restrict overnighting - to the point of putting up even more explicit signage. Landowner would have every right to just close off the lot completely instead of going through the bother of enforcement.

I had to double check to make sure. If I'm reading the maps correctly, the S Colony TH should be on USFS land. I'm looking at https://trails.colorado.gov/trailheads/ ... olony-2308 and https://data.fs.usda.gov/geodata/raster ... states.php. So I don't see where this is a landowner thing, the landowner should be the Forest Service.

[MaryinColorado]

I understand where you're coming from, but I don't agree with that mentality. I think it's important to do the right thing regardless of being caught especially with bigger picture in mind. Clearly, the landowner felt there to be good enough reason to restrict overnighting - to the point of putting up even more explicit signage. Landowner would have every right to just close off the lot completely instead of going through the bother of enforcement.

I had to double check to make sure. If I'm reading the maps correctly, the S Colony TH should be on USFS land. I'm looking at https://trails.colorado.gov/trailheads/ ... olony-2308 and https://data.fs.usda.gov/geodata/raster ... states.php. So I don't see where this is a landowner thing, the landowner should be the Forest Service.

I always assumed there was probably some arrangement with the USFS, but I've always been of the understanding the lot is privately owned, and that aligns with what I see when I pull up the private land layer in GAIA. I could certainly be wrong. It wouldn't really change the problem at hand, either way, I suppose.

Screenshot_20250611_072259_Gaia GPS.jpg

[JSFromKY]

OK, I was looking at the upper TH, not the one on the map. The Google Maps link is https://www.google.com/maps/place/South ... FQAw%3D%3D, and they have a link to the USFS in the description, so I assume you're correct that there is some arrangement with the USFS. Could be they're trying to crack down on nomads and the homeless camping there, it wouldn't make sense to keep backpackers out. Does anyone have a picture of the actual sign that was posted there? Is it an official USFS sign?

[Istoodupthere]

It is not a USFS sign

[SkaredShtles]

I doubt you're likely to get any sort of ticket if the lot is *actually* privately owned. You would get towed.

[Scott P]

I always assumed there was probably some arrangement with the USFS, but I've always been of the understanding the lot is privately owned, and that aligns with what I see when I pull up the private land layer in GAIA. I could certainly be wrong. It wouldn't really change the problem at hand, either way, I suppose.

You're not wrong about the lot being on private land. It isn't even close to the NFS land which doesn't start until around the 9600 foot contour. As far as an arrangement with the forest service, this isn't on FS land so they would have nothing to do with it.

The only possible legal loophole is that it's on a county road and county roads usually have a 66 feet Right of Way from centerline on most roads. If the road is 20 feet wide, for example (which is probably close for this road), the county right of way is probably 20-25 feet from the edge of the road. Unless the county road has a no parking rule on a certain road, you should be OK parking in the county right of way (despite what landowners say). If you really are concerned about it though, find out where the county right of way along this road is located and make sure your within that distance from the center line. Park along the road rather than in the parking lot unless you can stay within 20 feet of the edge of the actual road.

[two lunches]

rather than speculating about these signs and their validity, has anyone who actually plans to be in the area and park in the 2WD lot considered contacting the Custer County Sheriff? (Custer: 719-783-2270)

[desertdog]

rather than speculating about these signs and their validity, has anyone who actually plans to be in the area and park in the 2WD lot considered contacting the Custer County Sheriff? (Custer: 719-783-2270)

Hey hold on now, if we did that we wouldn’t be able to hang out on this forum on hump day speculating.

[HikesInGeologicTime]

rather than speculating about these signs and their validity, has anyone who actually plans to be in the area and park in the 2WD lot considered contacting the Custer County Sheriff? (Custer: 719-783-2270)

Hey hold on now, if we did that we wouldn’t be able to hang out on this forum on hump day speculating.

Precisely! I mean, what else am I supposed to do today, get work done by its looming deadline? Don't be ridiculous!

[Istoodupthere]

rather than speculating about these signs and their validity, has anyone who actually plans to be in the area and park in the 2WD lot considered contacting the Custer County Sheriff? (Custer: 719-783-2270)

I called today. Dispatcher wasn’t familiar with the area. Someone is supposed to call me back

[Istoodupthere]

I just spoke to an officer. He had the same opinion as me saying he believes the signs are saying not to sleep in your cars there. He said “don’t worry about parking there overnight” assuming you are in the lot and backpacking in the area.