After decades of 'Primitive Area' status, The Eagles Nest Wilderness was signed into law by President Gerald Ford in 1976, after an arduous approval process. Located barely an hour from major metropolitan areas, Eagles Nest became increasingly popular with outdoor enthusiasts. In 1994, after backpacking with two Wilderness Rangers in the Eagles Nest Wilderness, M. John Fayhee, a Summit County jour
nalist, wrote an editorial about the appalling lack of resources to maintain and protect this vulnerable area. After reading the article, Tom Jones, Jr., co-owner of Wilderness Sports in Silverthorne, teamed with Fayhee and organized a public meeting, which gave birth to FENW. Currie Craven became Chairman of the Board, Ed Adams President, Fayhee Secretary, and Jones Treasurer. and Wilderness Sports were instrumental in the group’s formation. Its initial attention was focused on the east (Summit County) side of the Wilderness. Tight budget restrictions (which persist today) prevented the U.S. Forest Service from providing the level of care required for this increasingly popular Wilderness. Trail maintenance, visitor education, cleaning up unsightly hunters’ camps, and other activities all taxed USFS's resources, and became the focus of FENW's efforts. In 2006, FENW expanded its mandate to include the west side of the Eagles Nest Wilderness (located in Eagle County near Vail). In addition, FENW expanded its Wilderness Volunteer Program to include Holy Cross Wilderness. In its first two decades, FENW purchased and installed portal signs, bulletin boards, and interpretive posters on all official trails. FENW also started a noxious w**d treatment program to eradicate noxious w**ds in the Eagles Nest Wilderness. All of these activities have been performed in close collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service, and with the generous ongoing support of The Summit Foundation and the Towns of Silverthorne and Frisco.
