The Potential for Alternative Transportation at Chimney Rock, San Juan National Forest

Increased visitation at Chimney Rock in the San Juan National Forest in southwest Colorado has led to increasing interest in the addition of a shuttle system. Piloting a shuttle system at Chimney Rock is a relatively low-cost option that the USFS could pursue along with its partners to test how an alternative transportation system may help to accommodate the increase in visitation and its impacts to safety and resource concerns. Piloting a shuttle for two full seasons of regular visitation and pertinent special events would be a prudent approach to gaining valid information that can be used to determine what type of permanent alternative transportation system could be implemented. Ideally, the shuttle system should run daily and at selected special events.