Break-ins on Lake Como Road

[JSFromKY]

While checking out Google Maps, I had a look at a camping area marked on Lake Como Rd before it becomes 4WD - https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sacre ... FQAw%3D%3D. They list it as Sacred White Shell Mountain. I haven't actually been to this area, but I'd assume this looks like a useful parking spot for those without the vehicle to make it to Lake Como. Looking at the recent reviews for this area on Google, there have been car/RV break-ins reported for the last 3 weeks with stuff stolen from campsites and RV's. Apparently we can't have anything nice. Beware if you plan to park here.

[interloper]

That spot marked on the map is in the middle of the highly-obnoxious "baby head" section of the road. In recent years there are sections that can require 4WD due to big ruts. It mostly comes down to driver confidence and ground clearance. If you can make it that far up the road I recommend going even further.

Regarding break-ins, yes - it's becoming more of a problem. Lots of shady characters use the area for the free camping, unfortunately.

[tortilla]

Food, water, maps, tent, generator, handgun, backpack, etc. Sounds like a criminal or something hiding out in the hills. Meth heads don’t care about maps. Who steals camping food and water? Someone that can’t be seen in town

[BillMiddlebrook]

+1
Hopefully the camper guy reported this to the Sheriff.

[Kiefer]

I use that same location when judging drive times from the Western Slope.
I've heard of break-ins in that area too and there's just nothing there. It's just an open rocky, cactus-dotted field.
While I haven't experienced that yet, I also have heard of it happening. But I also park much higher.

I've interviewed several folks (when I worked in Gunny) for jobs who live in the SL Valley (Hooper, Center). And I can personally attest, all were kinda "off." May not be the most PC thing to say, but.....

Just play it safe & clean your car out before you leave the house and take only what you need before you leave it. As remote as that area is, kinda hard to get recompense IF something does happen.

[Istoodupthere]

When I was there a month ago, in the middle of the week, every spot up the road that was accessible via rv was taken. Word is out that it’s a free place to stay. Including a group that had taken over the area at the start of the road by the signage. An old rv and a couple older 4x4’s. One which had a for sale sign on it. They were there at least 4 days. I hope the police have cleared them out…I don’t remember it being like this in the past.

[interloper]

When I was there a month ago, in the middle of the week, every spot up the road that was accessible via rv was taken. Word is out that it’s a free place to stay. Including a group that had taken over the area at the start of the road by the signage. An old rv and a couple older 4x4’s. One which had a for sale sign on it. They were there at least 4 days. I hope the police have cleared them out…I don’t remember it being like this in the past.

It's been getting more popular, for sure. Even in winter there are people camping there, though not nearly as many as in the summer. We routinely have to ask people to not camp on the helipad. Can make it very annoying during SAR calls.

[seano]

I hope the police have cleared them out…I don’t remember it being like this in the past.

I don't remember there being people living along the Lake Como road when I did Blanca, but... clear them out where? The San Luis Valley isn't an expensive place to live, or a pleasant place to camp, so I doubt they're living there if they have a choice. I suppose you could put them in a jail or on a sidewalk in Alamosa, impound and scrap their vehicles, etc. I'd be surprised if they're trying to make a living stealing stuff from cars parked on a dirt road far from food and water.

[cottonmountaineering]

I hope the police have cleared them out…I don’t remember it being like this in the past.

I don't remember there being people living along the Lake Como road when I did Blanca, but... clear them out where? The San Luis Valley isn't an expensive place to live, or a pleasant place to camp, so I doubt they're living there if they have a choice. I suppose you could put them in a jail or on a sidewalk in Alamosa, impound and scrap their vehicles, etc. I'd be surprised if they're trying to make a living stealing stuff from cars parked on a dirt road far from food and water.

Theres a 21 day limit to camping in same spot in most national forest/blm/etc, its not perfect but prevents people with broken RVs from becoming permanent fixtures to public lands

no simple solution to homelessness, but also having meth addicts steal the land and catalytic converters isnt great either

[seano]

Theres a 21 day limit to camping in same spot in most national forest/blm/etc, its not perfect but prevents people with broken RVs from becoming permanent fixtures to public lands

no simple solution to homelessness, but also having meth addicts steal the land and catalytic converters isnt great either

If I wanted to make a living stealing catalytic converters (or bikes), I'd pick a place with more of them, like greater Denver. The camping limit is an unfortunate necessity to keep public lands in a pristine state (other than logging and mining) -- "camping more than 21 days" used to be called "homesteading," after all.

There's no simple solution, but "ick, make it go away!" is a terrible response to seeing a poor person. If they're stealing people's stuff, make them stop. If not, perhaps live and let live.

[Monte Meals]

^ "ick, make it go away!" is a terrible response to seeing a poor person"

Opinions may vary, but I for one consider fecal matter, garbage, and trash dumped on US Forest lands a crime.

When was the last time that you saw a homeless encampment that was free of that crap?

[Istoodupthere]

Theres a 21 day limit to camping in same spot in most national forest/blm/etc, its not perfect but prevents people with broken RVs from becoming permanent fixtures to public lands

no simple solution to homelessness, but also having meth addicts steal the land and catalytic converters isnt great either

If I wanted to make a living stealing catalytic converters (or bikes), I'd pick a place with more of them, like greater Denver. The camping limit is an unfortunate necessity to keep public lands in a pristine state (other than logging and mining) -- "camping more than 21 days" used to be called "homesteading," after all.

There's no simple solution, but "ick, make it go away!" is a terrible response to seeing a poor person. If they're stealing people's stuff, make them stop. If not, perhaps live and let live.

Maybe you should spend some time in the San Luis Valley educating the homeless about moving to Denver. Seems like you have it figured out. Three large vehicles occupying that area right next to the informative signage is not appropriate. Shouldn’t have to be explained. By all means, more emotional responses with no answers is great for the discussion though