Independence
Near Penrose, Colorado

by Scott Riebel

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In October of 1997, the BLM decided to close Rattler. I had been playing on this trail for nearly six years…had many good memories. The friends that invited me thought enough of my wheeling skills to allow me to join the select few individuals to have ever driven this trail. Rattler offered the best of what four wheeling was all about. Anyone that has ever driven Rattler knows what I mean.

Rattler didn't die with a whimper. The BLM received literally thousands of letters, phone calls and inquiries in support of keeping this trail open. Unfortunately, the residential development at the head of Badger Creek coupled with the developer's incompetence in constructing an effective storm management system, resulted in unacceptable levels of sedimentation into the Arkansas River. The net result was the loss of this treasure.

The fourwheel drive community assisted BLM in closing the trail, in exchange, the BLM offered to help us find a suitable alternative. Since the closure of Rattler in October of 1997 the "hard core" group, on the eastern slope, has been looking for challenges without having to travel light years to enjoy our sport. We found it in a most unlikely spot, Penrose, Colorado.

The Penrose Chaining Area had been designated an open OHV area by the BLM in 1985. Diana Kossnar, Outdoor Recreation Specialist for the BLM, suggested that I take a look at this area as an alternative to Rattler. In June of 1998 I decided to take a look around. This 34000 acre impoundment consists primarily of sage brush and scrub oak with some cottonwood thrown in. The rolling hills gave this area the look of a pasture more suitable for grazing than the type of wheeling I like to do.

I headed north east into the compound and didn't like what I saw. With the sun quickly setting, I decided to take a quick look at the western side of the property. My mind was drifting as the orange and blue sunscape exploded in my face, when I came upon a canyon just a little too quickly. When the dust and my heart had finally settled, I was confronted by what was potentially the greatest four wheeling that I had ever seen.

Boulders larger than my Jeep. Countless numbers of them. When I got back to Colorado Springs, I called my best friend Jerry, the owner of Predator 4Wheel Drive and told him to take the day off tomorrow "you have got to see this".

We hiked four miles of rock gardens, vertical waterfalls and crevasses that will swallow jeeps whole. We decided that we would make the first run the following week on July 4th. The usual crew was assembled; Bob Leonard and Scott Willard (Bob and Scott originally opened Rattler 8 years ago), Jerry and Julie Panek, Joe and Pat Rice and me.

It was agreed that since I was the one that brought this canyon to everyone's attention that I should be the first one in and therefore the one to name the trail. (This was their best excuse they had for making me go first) As I eased my jeep over the triple rock ledge and my seat was drawn into my shorts, my mind gave up it's creativity to convenience. Since it was July 4th I decided to name the trail system Independence. If I had know that we had to plasma cut steel signs I would have named it something shorter like the "cat" trail or "dog" trail.

For the next 8 hours we worked under the blistering early summer sun, to complete only 0.4 mile of trail. This was designed to be the escape route and appropriately named "Freedom Trail". From the top of the escape route we could see Brush Hallow reservoir glimmering only 2 miles away. Drench in sweat and with the fine dust settling into every uncovered pore, we drove to Brush Hallow only to find "No Swimming" signs posted.

The following week, I received a call from Diana Kossnar inquiring as to whether I was the one responsible for opening that trail. With some pride I admitted that I was the one. She told me that what I had done was illegal and that prior to opening this canyon for our use the BLM would have to comply with the NEPA process. Having worked for the National Park Service myself and being familiar with the process, I volunteered to assist BLM in completing an Environmental Assessment (EA). Of course my motivation was to get this trail opened as quickly as possible.

We began the process in August. After countless rounds of questions and answers the EA was finally approved for 1.4 miles of the 4.5 miles of trail that we requested. We have been working nonstop since October to get this trail open. We had to install signs indicating the route, we had to post rules and install winching points.

Winch points are marked with florescent orange paint…use them if you need them.

The trail will open the 17th of April. The Colorado Rock Hoppers have adopted this trail. Bill Dixon is President and his wife is Vice- President of the Southern District of 4WD clubs. If you need help finding the trail or need a guide call them. Please don't try to run the trail before that because the Federal Law Enforcement Officer will impound your vehicle and that is a fact. Some other things you may need to know:

Lockers and winch ARE required
Rattlesnakes are plentiful
Bring adequate water
Minimum Tow Bill is $350.00
You will have body damage
Cutting Trees is a $500 fine and 3yrs probation

When you get there walk the canyon, then decide if you have the equipment, skills and commitment it will take to complete this trail. Remember Tread Lightly and I'll see you out there.

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