Lester Ghost Town — Sunday, Sep. 10, 2017

I heard rumors the 2 remaining buildings in Lester had been demolished this past spring. The rumors are true. After running into a Forest Ranger who escorted me out of the area (due to a new fire on Sawmill Ridge/Lester Creek), he explained why the buildings were torn down.

He told me Facebook had created a large interest in the area over the last year. He mentioned in 2016 he had to break up a Halloween party that had 200 people at the site! Other visitors have been seen crawling around in the collapsed barn and other dangerous areas. Because of these series of events, the liability became too high for the Forest Service to ignore. Thus the removal of the buildings. :(

FYI - FS Road 54 is now CLOSED from Stampede Pass. The Ranger said the road will reopen 12/31/2017. He also mentioned if we get some serious rain, to check the Forest Service website or contact the local Ranger Station to see if the closure dates have changed.

Also, if you are caught in the "fire zone" they will escort you out of the area. I was asked for my ID (to document your name) and hand my picture taken for their records. This is so I don't go back into the area.

They will site you if you do.