RFTA Bike Path – Catherine Store to Rock Bottom Ranch
Earlier this week I pedaled down the RFTA bike path near Catherine Store to one of my favorite fishing zones on the Roaring Fork River. But when I hit my destination, I was assaulted by a forest of No-Trespassing signs on the bank – right in my favorite spot. As a hunter and angler (and red-blooded American), I have complete respect for private property. But I was pretty sure these signs didn’t belong. So after some research on the property lines and the RFTA trail boundaries, I’m heading back to fish my favorite spot again. In fact, I think I’ll staple the property map to the no trespassing signs and reel in a few extra fish for good measure. Although, the parting words from RFTA didn’t exactly inspire complete confidence, “I’m sure you’re right but duck if they shoot.”
Posting false no trespassing signs happens throughout the west – usually on easements that were specifically created to allow access to public lands. Respect private land but if no trespassing signs don’t line up with your maps, take the time to do the research and report it.
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I am ecstatic to see that someone else was put off as much as I was (am) by the gall of some people to actually think they can claim public access for themselves on the river just by sneaking around putting up obviously fake signs. It’s bad enough that there is so little access in the first place but to have a few second-home owners put those signs up in the bushes on the public side of the river pissed me off. KUDOS!