Roads are closed seasonally to wheeled motorized vehicles to protect critical wildlife habitat and/or to prevent damage to road surfaces. Please note, registration is required to join us for Trailwork; please click below to register. The Forest Service and the Counties do not rescue stranded vehicles. 5. The road or trail is not ready for travel if you leave a tire print or a boot print in the mud. Sorry. 1. (Divide Ranger District), Rio Grande National Forest. 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. The purpose of this Order is to allow Native American Tribes exclusive use of the monument and to protect their privacy during tribal activities for traditional and cultural purposes during the10th anniversary of the designation of the monument. Notable . The Dolores and Pagosa Ranger District Recreation staff have been assessing roads this spring and opening as conditions allow. . Monday through Friday. 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. SJMA Visitor Information Specialists are located all around the Southwest Colorado Region from Durango to Montrose to Del Norte to Pagosa Springs and more! Road Conditions High Mountain 4 x 4 Passes Black Bear Pass - closed Ophir Pass - closed Imogene Pass - closed Last Dollar Pass - closed Norwood/Dolores Road - closed District 1 - All high country passes are closed. L.A. County road closures include Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road at California 2 and Angeles Forest Highway; Mt. "We're not out of the woods by any means but we've been very fortunate there have not been any homes burned or firefighters hurt." While firefighters have been able to protect homes, the wildfire. 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. It begins at its junction with NFST 733, Salt Creek Trail, in Section 22, Township 39 North, Range 11 West, 6th P.M., and ends at its junction with National Forest System Road (NFSR) 564, Divide Road, in Section 30, Township 39 North, Range 10 West, 6th P.M. Area(s): website belongs to an official government organization in the Pagosa Springs, CO 81147, Open 8-12 and 1:15-4 p.m. Start with the major towns along the route - Durango, a well-preserved descendant of the Old West; picturesque Telluride, renowned for world-class skiing and film, jazz, and bluegrass festivals; and Silverton and Ouray, Victorian jewels tucked in deep alpine valleys. 15 Burnett Court Attached is Forest Order Number SJNF-2022-03: The purpose of this Order is to protect spring elk calving. Even though a road may appear dry at its beginning does not mean its ready to be traveled on further up in elevation or distance. 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. 261.53(e). Click on the heading to viewspecial ordersissued by the Rocky Mountain Region. Some may be slick in areas, washed out or snow covered, even if they are listed as OPEN. Visitors are asked to stay off wet roads and respect road closures, which will decrease long-term and costly damages to the roadway. The trail is 10.0 miles long. It begins at Forest Road 663 - Buckles Lake Road and ends at Leche Creek Trail (576). Parking: Most trailheads offer limited parking space. Baldy Road at Shinn Road near San Antonio Canyon; Glendora Mountain. Contact: Columbine Ranger District (970) 884-2512. Updates to this page are made as soon as the Ranger Districts relay the information. Hermosa Creek Trail may be IMPASSABLE for stock and some motorcycles. This Order shall be in effect from April 15, 2023, at 12:00 AM through May 1, 2023, at The ample snowpack, a boon to reservoirs, has rendered some roads impassable, while others are at risk of being damaged. 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. Be prepared for summertime afternoon thundershowers. Travel 2 miles, then turn right on East Toner Road (FR 637). United States government. . You can be ticketed for road damage. ( Closures offer wildlife herds forage, shelter, and protection from disturbance over the winter and into early spring, when animals are most vulnerable. The Recreate Responsibly Coalition also offers guidelines and tips for getting outside and staying healthy while practicing responsible outdoor recreation and wildfire prevention activities. 261.55(a)]. PO Box 9 Bring a camera. The segment from Ouray to Silverton is called the "Million Dollar Highway." The San Juan National Forest's seasonally closed roads schedule follows. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Some usually passable roads are covered in deep snow and will not be passable for several weeks. Inquire about road conditions in winter. Visitors enjoy the area for its great fishing, hiking and scenic driving opportunities. P.O. National Forest System lands comprise about 19% of the total land area in the western United States but contribute over 46% of the West's surface water supply. 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. 36 C.F.R. Camping within the monument, as depicted in Exhibit A. The San Juan National Forest will continue to monitor road conditions; upper elevation and backcountry roads will be opened June 1 or as conditions permit. Official Facebook page of the San Juan National Forest. Share sensitive information only Be aware that passes can vary with weatherany time of year. According to users from AllTrails.com, the best trail for off-road driving in San Juan National Forest is Ophir Pass Road, which has a 4.7 star rating from 466 reviews. Share sensitive information only (Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service), The Columbine Ranger District in the San Juan National Forest sits between the Mancos-Dolores and Pagosa districts in the San Juan National Forest. (Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service), Roads in the San Juan National Forest are in rough shape as the snow begins to melt. Operational hours for the main McPhee boat ramp are as follows: Opening day to April 30: 8am- 6pm. Closed for all federal holidays. and ends at Forest Road 622 - First Fork Rd.. McPhee boat ramp opening likely delayed due to ice conditions; Hermosa Creek Trail Damage; View All Forest Alerts . The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking and Horseback Riding. Anyone caught will be reported to the Sheriff's Department. DOLORES, Colo., April 6, 2022 The San Juan National Forest's Dolores Ranger District is delaying the opening of McPhee Reservoir to motorized boat use due to winter conditions blocking access to the main reservoir at the main McPhee boat ramp. Chicken Creek (615), Dolph Kuss (186), Hamlin (188). on official, secure websites. Many forest roads are covered by more snow than in recent years, leading to a delay in reopening the roads. The Forest Road Access page will display current road closures and openings along with campground access in the Pagosa Springs, San Juan National Forest area. Others run adjacent to waterways that are at risk of flooding. Follow the additional links for other regions in the area which include Creede, The Alpine Loop and South Fork. Off roading was a lot of fun. The White River National Forest, located in west-central Colorado, is an important source of drinking water for communities east and west of the Continental Divide. The forest occupies land in Archuleta, Conejos, Dolores, Hinsdale, La Plata, Mineral, Montezuma, Rio Grande, San Miguel and San Juan Counties. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INSTANCES OF ROAD CLOSURE SIGNS AND BARRICADES BEING REMOVED OR DRIVEN AROUND. During these critical times, human disturbance can threaten the survival of deer and elk, especially pregnant females. 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. San Juan National Forest Photos (571) Directions Print/PDF map Length 2.3 miElevation gain 488 ftRoute type Out & back Try this 2.3-mile out-and-back trail near Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Thursday, Apr 30, 2020 11:40 PM. The Columbine Ranger District will begin to reopen most low-elevation roads on May 1, while staff in the Pagosa and Dolores districts will evaluate roads on a case-by-case basis as the melting continues. Do not cause ruts or road damage and do not get stuck. An official website of the 1. MORE INFORMATION. A map identifying the Described Trail is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit 36 C.F.R. Latest storm: 13 inches of snow Wolf Creek Ski Area Snow Report March 11, 2 p.m. Great Backyard Bird Count to kick off Friday, Registration open for youth volleyball leagues, What a long, strange trip to kill four dams, Volunteer opportunities available with Weminuche Audubon Chapter, Officials ask for help in locating missing person, Take advantage of COVID-19 resources before end of public health emergency. Visitors are asked to stay off wet roads and respect road closures, which will decrease long-term and costly damages to the roadway. All Rights Reserved. Please remember, that the roads are multi-use and to go slow when passing bikers and hikers so as not to throw gravel or put them at risk. The San Juan National Forests seasonally closed roads schedule follows. ) or https:// means you've safely Hurray for snow now get out there and have fun, be safe. 1) Being on the Restricted Trail from May 15 to June 30 each year. How many off road driving trails are in San Juan National Forest? Entering or being on the Described Trail. Find a visitor center location nearest to you. 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. 1. For the latest information on road status, visit the SJNFs website. on official, secure websites. Seasonal road and trail closures also protect critical habitat for deer and elk in winter and early spring when temperatures are cold, snow is deep, and food is scarce. 15 Burnett Court Plans to open the reservoir by mid-April is not possible due to large parts of the reservoir remaining under ice as well as snow drifts blocking the main access road to McPhee Reservoir. For additional information on road closures, please contact the specific Ranger District Office at: For information on current fire restrictions, conditions, and recreation opportunities on the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874, or visit the forest website. The San Juan National Forest covers over 1,800,000 acres of mostly untouched wilderness area in Southwest Colorado. Range 11 West, 6th P.M., and ends at its junction with National Forest System Road (NFSR) 564, Divide Road, in Section 30, Township 39 North, Range 10 West, 6th P.M. . Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 10 min to complete. The Restricted Trail is in Montezuma County, Colorado. 2. 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. The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking, Backpacking, Horseback Riding. This order is needed to protect public safety and wildlife along the McPhee Overlook Trail #155. McPhee boat ramp opening likely delayed due to ice conditions. The San Juan National Forest was created in 1905 by Theodore Roosevelt and has since been managed by the US Forest Service to help protect the lands and prevent natural disasters like forest fires. Horseback Riding is called the `` Million Dollar Highway. that passes can vary with weatherany time of.! 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