During day trip last week we went to Elk Park in the Pike National Forest. Elk park is a large sub-alpine wetland fed by a number of small springs. The area is a very soft marshland with a few small ponds. The pictures included here show the damage that 4×4 and ATV do to this sub-alpine wetlands.
Extensive Wetland Damage
These wet lands are very fragile and take years to recover. The surface is very soft and once a truck gets stuck extensive damage is done during the extraction.
Damage left by stuck truck
The sad indication from these photos is that the message is getting out to all users. There are new tracks that have been left this spring.
Fresh Damage
If you are in a position to help protect these types of lands please do so. This type of damage is what gives us all a bad name.