Shelf Road Recreation Area was first discovered as a climbing area in the mid-1980s. The area, located approximately 10 miles north of Cañon City, Colorado, has since become a world-renowned destination for sport climbing and today boasts more than 850 bolted routes on its extensive spread of quality, vertical limestone cliffs. RMFI first began working with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in 1991 to address recreational impacts from increasing climbing use. Since that time, RMFI has mobilized thousands of volunteers, both within and outside of the climbing community, to construct a sustainable trail infrastructure linking climbing areas, parking lots, and campgrounds.

In 2014, RMFI and the BLM initiated a partnership with the newly-formed Pikes Peak Climbers Alliance (PPCA) to help further protect and improve the increasingly popular area. The PPCA is an all-volunteer climbing advocacy non-profit organization based in Colorado Springs focused primarily on the sustainability of existing climbing resources in the Pikes Peak Region. With an organization dedicated solely to climbing issues in the mix, momentum gained to evaluate the current status of Shelf Road and to develop future goals and objectives to address the growing maintenance and management needs of the area. With consultation from the PPCA, the Access Fund, and the BLM, RMFI developed and administered a public user survey in order to further understand current usage of the area and to gather the opinions and level of satisfaction of users regarding access, facilities, and management.

In early 2015, the data gathered through the survey was analyzed and the respondents heard! Although many useful insights were gleaned from the survey, there was one glaring and overriding theme: not enough camping, parking, and other infrastructure to support the masses of climbers that flock to the area during peak seasons. In response to this feedback, the BLM has crafted an official plan and proposal to add approximately 10-15 campsites to each of the two existing campgrounds of the area as well as additional restrooms and day-use parking.

The complete proposal can now be found on the website of the BLM and a public scoping period is underway through August 21, 2015. Area users and enthusiasts are encouraged to review the proposal and submit their feedback and any concerns regarding the impending plans. Comments that address the proposed action, alternatives to consider, and identification of any environmental issues are most helpful. Please find the proposal, including links to all relevant documentation and maps, as well as instructions on how to submit your comments at the following link. http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/rgfo/planning/shelf_road_campground.html

Find more information on the Pikes Peak Climbers Alliance and ways you can help their Shelf Road initiatives here: http://www.pikespeakclimbersalliance.org/