Canyon Lakes Ranger District Winter Safety

This time of year it is important to remind backcountry visitors about safety precautions when visiting the Canyon Lakes Ranger District, especially the Cameron Peak area. Forest Service employees are out managing recreational facilities during the winter months, but our emergency response partners, including Larimer County Emergency Services and Diamond Peaks Ski Patrol, are the primary source of emergency assistance.

The Larimer County Sheriff's Office provided these key safety messages:

Calling for a rescue may not be on your adventure itinerary, but if you’re recreating in the backcountry, it’s important to have an SOS plan in mind.

1. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Always check the weather forecast, avalanche conditions, and any other area warnings before you head into the backcountry. Looking out the window doesn’t count – conditions at higher elevations can be extremely different and change rapidly, so it’s important to check the outlook for your destination.

2. PLAN YOUR SOS

Always tell someone where you’re going and when you intend to be back. Bring a satellite enabled device (GPS, newer model iPhone, etc) and make sure it’s charged. Check locations of emergency call boxes in the area and mark them on your map in case technology fails you. Find those here: https://www.leta911.org/resources

3. ASK FOR HELP ASAP

If you or someone in your group gets injured or can’t safely get back to the trailhead for some reason, don’t wait to call for help. It can take several hours for emergency crews to reach you, so it’s better to get them started your way. If something changes, they can always turn around. The search and rescue teams in Larimer County never want your safety decisions to hinge on finances, so these teams don’t charge for their rescue efforts. If you can’t get out yourself and you need an assist, call or text 911 and be sure to include your location.

We’ve already had quite a few rescues this winter due to stranded or injured adventurers. A little bit of planning goes a long way, and if an emergency does happen, the public safety teams in our area are prepared to help 24/7/365!

###

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.