Hasn't voted | CMC has been notified by the Manitou Institute that as of August 1, they are no longer approving requests for access across their property at the Cottonwood Creek trailhead. Reasons include large numbers of requests, people camping on the private property without permission, parking issues, and removal of private property signs. Access in the area to the USFS land is still available via North Crestone, Willow Creek, and Liberty Road gate to the south across the National Park.
CMC is working with locals, including some from the spiritual community in Crestone, to try and find an alternate route into the Cottonwood Creek drainage. One possible route was identified last month, but carries its own problems due to being on someone else's land, in part. Further meetings are expected into the fall.
The Spanish Creek trailhead is also private, and closed by the property owner.
Steve Bonowski |