261.55(a)]. ( SJMA Visitor Information Specialists are located all around the Southwest Colorado Region from Durango to Montrose to Del Norte to Pagosa Springs and more! United States government. 2022 | The Pagosa Springs SUN Publishing, Inc. - All rights reserved. Thank You Newspapers in Education Sponsors! Please don't go beyond where you are comfortable driving. Sign up for our daily email newsletter or to receive breaking news delivered to your inbox: Choose from several print and digital subscription packages, 2023 Durango Herald | https:// www.creede.com/recreation-activities/explore/bachelor-loop.html, https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/riogrande/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5363838&width=full, https://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/cs/detailfull/!ut/p/z1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfIjo8ziDfxNDDwNwxydLA1cjbyDTUM9TQwgQD8crMAIynW0MPD38AjzC_MxgCmIIka_AQ7gSKx-3Aqi8Bsfrh8FVoLPB4TMKMgNDY0wyHQEALR_qDo!/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/?position=Conditions.Html&pname=Rio%20Grande%20National%20Forest-%20Alerts%20&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&ss=110209&pnavid=null&navid=120000000000000&ttype=detailfull&cid=stelprdb5280892, Rio Grande National Forest. Trails are the cornerstone of our community and the gateway to the outdoors. Click on theheadingto view current special orders. This road is suitable for two-wheel drive vehicles, though there may be some potholes to avoid. McPhee boat ramp opening likely delayed due to ice conditions; Hermosa Creek Trail Damage; View All Forest Alerts . National Forest road closures extended in Southwest Colorado Continuing snowmelt means roads are not yet drivable By Reuben Schafir Herald Staff Writer Wednesday, Apr 12, 2023 3:22 PM Roads. website belongs to an official government organization in the Hermosa Creek Trail may be IMPASSABLE for stock and some motorcycles. San Juan National Forest - Alerts & Notices Columbine Ranger District Road Status Contac t: Columbine Ranger District (970) 884-2512 Any road can be blocked by downed trees or snow at any time. 36 C.F.R. 12:00 AM unless rescinded. When fire danger is extremely high, Stage 1 and Stage 2 Fire Restrictions may be followed by a complete Forest closure, which is sometime referred to as Stage 3. Any road can be blocked bydowned treesorsnow at any time. Follow the good gravel road for 4.4 miles to the trailhead parking area on the right (North) side of the road, just across from the South Mineral Campground. Rd. Seasonal closures also prevent damage to road surfaces during freezing and thawing periods, even if snow levels are not very deep. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock connected to the .gov website. Road Closure Details (Last updated: 04/12/23 11:47 AM) Currently 28 road closures, 9 planned road closures, and 7 road closures affecting disaster routes. The Pagosa Daily Post welcomes submissions, photos, letters and videos from people who love Pagosa Springs, Colorado. The road or trail is not ready for travel if you leave a tire print or a boot print in the mud. Phone: 970-903-2673, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR are welcome. Travel 2 miles, then turn right on East Toner Road (FR 637). 1. Though a truly breathtaking route, check road conditions ahead of traveling the Million Dollar Highway the stretch between Silverton and Ouray and be cautious of drop-offs lacking guardrails to ensure your safety. In South Mineral Creek, no motor vehicles are allowed off South Mineral Road (FDR 585) or Clear Creek Road (FDR 815) to access camping sites. Attached is Forest Order Number SJNF-2022-01: 1) Going in or being upon the portions of NFS lands within the Restricted Area that are groomed for Nordic skiing use from November 15th to March 15th annually, unless a person uses skis or snowshoes. How many off road driving trails are in San Juan National Forest? Privacy Policy, Weather data from The Durango Herald and WeatherKit.org, Continuing snowmelt means roads are not yet drivable, Forest Service road closures will be extended into the spring as lingering snow causes hazardous conditions that can damage both vehicles and roads. The scenery ranges from high desert mesas and canyons to high alpine peaks and meadows. An official website of the The information displayed here comes directly from the U.S Forest Service. Seasonal closures go into effect at the end of November or mid-December to prevent people from traveling dangerous, unmaintained roads. 1. Please note on the Columbine Ranger District, La Plata Canyon and South Mineral Creek allow camping in designated sites only, and camping is not permitted along the Junction Creek Road the first 8.5 miles. All offices on the San Juan National Forest are currently conducting business and providing services virtually. A map identifying the Described Trail is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit on official, secure websites. The Recreate Responsibly Coalition also offers guidelines and tips for getting outside and staying healthy while practicing responsible outdoor recreation and wildfire prevention activities. Some usually passable roads are covered in deep snow and will not be passable for several weeks. Closed for all federal holidays. Content on the Daily Post is shared via a CREATIVE COMMONS license. Climbing or otherwise being on the two rock spires, Chimney Rock, and Companion Rock, from the base of the spires to their summits, and including the ridge extending from the terminus of the Great House Trail (632) to Companion Rock and the rock saddle that connects the two spires. Official websites use .gov A .gov Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) less than or equal to 50 inches wide are allowed the first mile of the trail coming in from the Fawn Gulch Road side. The ample snowpack, a boon to reservoirs, has rendered some roads impassable, while others are at risk of being damaged. All Rights Reserved. (Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service), Q&A: Durango student helped lead the fight to carry and use Narcan on campus, Mason Lodge awards Bayfield High School student, among others, Longtime Southwest Colorado vineyard to open tasting room in Durango, Report a paper delivery issue/suspend delivery. Pagosa Springs, CO 81147, Open 8-12 and 1:15-4 p.m. Baldy Road at Shinn Road near San Antonio Canyon; Glendora Mountain. 15 Burnett Court 15 Burnett Court (970) 247-4874, https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sanjuan/alerts-notices, Attached is Forest Order Number SJNF-2022-01, Attached is Forest Order Number SJNF-2022-02, San Juan National Forest: Special Orders 1979-current, Forest Service Rocky Mountain (R2) Region Special Orders, McPhee boat ramp opening likely delayed due to ice conditions. Do not cause ruts or road damage and do not get stuck. Driving off trail seriously impacts the fragile tundra. But you can't put a price tag on this experience.The San Juan Skyway was designated by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation as an All-American Road, the highest level of designation, in 1996. Be aware that passes can vary with weatherany time of year. Vehicles can also damage road surfaces that are not yet dry, and so Forest Service staff warn that road closures will be extended this year. Join us for trail maintenance/construction on Horse Gulch on May 17th from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm. Click on the heading to viewspecial ordersissued by the Rocky Mountain Region. San Juan National Forest Durango: 15 Burnett Ct, (970) 247-4874 Dolores: 29211 CO Highway 184, (970) 882-7296 Pagosa Springs: 180 Pagosa St, (970) 264-2268 Open Monday-Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm. Parking: Most trailheads offer limited parking space. May 1 - Sept 19: 6am - 8pm. The Pagosa Ranger District will be temporarily closing most Forest system roads and trails on a staggered schedule beginning December 1, with the majority closing by December 15. The Forest Service will continue to monitor conditions and will open the reservoir when snow and ice clear the ramp. Area(s): Visitors to the National Forest should be prepared to encounter additional closed gates on roads and trails across the San Juan National Forest as winter conditions develop. During these critical times, human disturbance can threaten the survival of deer and elk, especially pregnant females. 261.55(a). (Conejos Ranger District). Please visit the Forest Service page for pass and Silverton Area road conditions. (Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service), Roads in the San Juan National Forest are in rough shape as the snow begins to melt. Turn right on Middle Fork Road (FR 636). Be safe out there! The forest occupies land in Archuleta, Conejos, Dolores, Hinsdale, La Plata, Mineral, Montezuma, Rio Grande, San Miguel and San Juan Counties. The trails youre about to enjoy wouldnt exist without our year-round work to plan, build, and maintain them. 2022 Durango Trails Inc | Privacy Policy. 1) Being on the Restricted Trail from May 15 to June 30 each year. Hurray for snow now get out there and have fun, be safe. It begins at Forest Road 663 - Buckles Lake Road and ends at Leche Creek Trail (576). Turn north on Piedra Road for 17 miles. As spring temperatures warm, traveling muddy roads can cause extensive damage to vehicles, and vice versa, said San Juan National Forest spokeswoman Lorena Williams. Spring conditions are variable and visitors should be prepared to encounter system roads that are impassable due to snow drifts, waterlogged roadbeds, down trees or other debris. Release Date: Apr 6, 2023. and ends at Forest Road 622 - First Fork Rd.. Share sensitive information only MORE INFORMATION. All proceeds support SJMAs stewardship and conservation education programs in southwest Colorado! Great trail some snow in april turned around near top but overall good trail moderate to easy. Happy Hour Trailwork | Wednesday, May 17th | Horse Gulch. The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking, Backpacking, Horseback Riding. This trail is 9.8 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,794 ft. Not only will you find ways to improve your adventure plans, but you will find a retail outlet teeming with maps, guidebooks, clothing and gift ideas. Add another crown - Mesa Verde National Park, home to one of the densest collections of prehistoric ruins in the U.S. - and five million acres of undisturbed national forest. The First Fork Trailhead is the start of the First Fork Trail (538). A dedicated website for the Alpine Loop is coming soon and will be linked here. There are many roads and passes within the San Juan Mountains that are not forest service roads and are not maintained by the San Juan National Forest. You can be ticketed for road damage. In order to find current conditions of these areas, please contact the county that is responsibly for these roads. 15 Burnett Court Contact: Columbine Ranger District (970) 884-2512. The trail is 8.8 miles long. Please note that the aforementioned site is NOT an official source for road conditions. Address: County Road 3 (Forest Road 520) east of Silverton, southwest of Creede, CO Season: May - October Elevation: 12,592 ft (3,838 m) County: San Juan County Mountain Range: San Juan Mountains Coordinates: 374743N 1073258W Access: Unpaved County Road 3 / Forest Road 520 or via Colorado Trail The US Forest Service begins road closures on Nov 30th & Dec 15th for the Pagosa Springs San Juan region. 2. Camping within the monument, as depicted in Exhibit A. Located at the front desk in local Forest Service and BLM offices, SJMAs interpretive bookstores are your one-stop-shop for local public lands information. Roads are closed seasonally to wheeled motorized vehicles to protect critical wildlife habitat and/or to prevent damage to road surfaces. It takes an average of 5 h 9 min to hike. The San Juan National Forest is a U.S. National Forest covering over 1,878,846 acres (2,935.7 sq mi, or 7,603.42 km) in western Colorado. The Pagosa Ranger District recreation staff have been assessing roads this spring and opening as conditions allow. Entering or being within mile of Companion Rock, depicted in Exhibit B, between March 15 and July 31, excluding the Great House Trail (632). Campsite List Seasons & Fees Rules & Cancellations Facility Information An official website of the Visitors are asked to stay off wet roads and respect road closures, which will decrease long-term and costly damages to the roadway. The most trusted source for local news and information about Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County, Colorado, Registration open for multiple sports at Parks and Rec, Register now for tee-ball and volleyball leagues, New Thought topic: Planting Seeds for Your Spiritual Medicine Garden, A Colorado reservoir gets ready for an epic snowmelt. use Durango as a jumping-off point for hiking and camping in the San Juan National Forest, . All forms of recreation are still welcome - snowmobiles, skiers, fat tire bikes, snowshoeingetc. Del Norte: 13308 West Hwy 160, (719) 657-3321 Saguache: 46525 State Hwy 114, (719) 655-2547, Montrose: 2505 S Townsend Ave, (970) 240-5300. Be prepared for summertime afternoon thundershowers. Please note, registration is required to join us for Trailwork; please click below to register. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. (T.37N, R.15 W, Section 9) extending to May Canyon (T.37N, R.15 W, Section 8). Possessing a dog (except for service dogs) while on the Great Kiva Trail (699) or the Great House Trail (632), as depicted in Exhibit B. 2. The Columbine Ranger District will begin opening most low elevation roads May 1 st. P.O. DESCRIBED TRAIL Want to learn more about our current projects, ways to stay involved and news from the San Juan Mountains Association? Official Facebook page of the San Juan National Forest. La Plata County installed a gate at the cattle guard and will be closed each December through May. [1] You must have JavaScript enabled to fill out this form. Chimney Rock National Monument. Entering or being on the Described Trail. Closed for all federal holidays. The crash was reported at 9:22 p.m. near Junipero Serra Road, preliminary reports showed. There are many roads and passes within the San Juan Mountains that are not forest service roads and are not maintained by the San Juan National Forest. The San Juan National Forest is assessing damage caused by winter weather on seasonally closed roads. San Juan Skyway Final Report (December 2014) Special Considerations Be prepared for summertime afternoon thundershowers. Closure in effect September 23 at 12:01 a.m. through September 24 at 12:00 a.m. (a period of 24 hours). 1. Official websites use .gov A .gov Lets protect these wildly beautiful lands by treating them with the respect they deserve. Please call (970) 884-2512 for the most up-to-date information. Spring conditions are variable, and visitors should be prepared to encounter system roads that are impassable due to snow drifts, waterlogged roadbeds, down trees, or other debris. Then there are the roads themselves, snaking through the woods in the shadow of impressive 14,000-foot peaks. The San Juan National Forest will continue to monitor road conditions; upper elevation and backcountry roads will be opened June 1 or later as conditions permit. This order is needed to protect public safety and wildlife along the McPhee Overlook Trail #155. LockA locked padlock This Order implements prohibitions approved in the September 13, 2013, Record of the Decision for the San Juan National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan and is necessary to provide for maintenance of natural conditions and processes to facilitate research and education and maintain biological diversity the purposes for which RNAs are established on National Forest System lands within the Grizzly Peak RNA. Durango, CO 81301 Seasonal closures also prevent damage to road surfaces during freezing and thawing periods, even if snow levels are not very deep. And Silverton Area road conditions delayed due to ice conditions ; Hermosa Creek May... Through the woods in the shadow of impressive 14,000-foot peaks, a boon reservoirs... The heading to viewspecial ordersissued by the Rocky Mountain Region Fork Trail ( 538 ) and 1:15-4 p.m. road... 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