Letter: Shut out of Big Park
Years ago, my husband and I went to Big Park to say our marriage vows at sunset with a full moon rising. (Yes, you can do that in Colorado!) We chose Big Park because it was a very special place for us. We have traditionally made a sojourn each year to mark our wedding.
However, access to Big Park has gotten exceedingly difficult and frustrating in recent years. It used to be as simple as stopping at the Cordillera gate and then proceeding to the trailhead. Then it became a matter of being lucky enough to get one of the few passes they would allow people to have to go to the trailhead.
Now, Cordillera is saying that no one is allowed to go to the main access point that has been used for years because there is available access through the Resolution No. 2008-024 trail far below Big Park. Unfortunately, this trail requires substantial climbing of close to 2,000 feet in elevation, straight up and through tough overgrown conditions. (I would invite the decision makers of Cordillera’s new policy to try the trail to see for themselves how tough it really is to get to Big Park!)
Unfortunately, my husband has had health issues in recent years that make that climb very tough, if not impossible. So, we are effectively shut out of a place that is very meaningful to our lives.
Over the years we have seen more people come to the valley from out of state and change our way of life. We have spent more than 35 years here and have seen the changes firsthand. We live in Edwards like Michelle Ribner and consider all of Eagle County part of our neighborhood.
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NIMBYism has propagated all sorts of new rules that most would consider less than neighborly. We join with Michelle in asking that Cordillera allow access to the main Big Park trailhead through a pass system at the very least. Providing passes would allow control over the amount of visitors and would also provide a record for security.
We are your neighbors. To keep your neighbors out of this beautiful place does not show the neighborly vibe we have come to know in the Vail Valley. Please reconsider!!
Linda Jones
Edwards
