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. Do not cause ruts or road damage and do not get stuck. P.O. Recreation Areas. Operational hours for the main McPhee boat ramp are as follows: Hermosa Creek Trail has been damaged in the Hope Creek area, approximately 8 miles from the north trailhead and 10 miles from the south trailhead. The Forest Service will continue to monitor conditions and will open the reservoir when snow and ice clear the ramp. Seasonal closures go into effect at the end of November or mid-December to prevent people from traveling dangerous, unmaintained roads. Possession or use of an over-snow vehicle within the monument, as depicted in Exhibit A. Be safe out there! The Columbine Ranger District will be temporarily closing most Forest systems roads beginning December 1. 2022 | The Pagosa Springs SUN Publishing, Inc. - All rights reserved. Trail Closure. Chicken Creek (615), Dolph Kuss (186), Hamlin (188). Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 10 min to complete. and ends at Forest Road 622 - First Fork Rd.. San Juan National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Maps and Road conditions webpage, EDITORIAL: Concerns About the Towns Workforce Housing Plans, Part One, EDITORIAL: Pagosa School Threats, Explained, Part Three, BIG PIVOTS: High Hopes for Hydrogen? 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. 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. It begins at Forest Road 663 - Buckles Lake Road and ends at Leche Creek Trail (576). The information displayed here comes directly from the U.S Forest Service. ( Content on the Daily Post is shared via a CREATIVE COMMONS license. Please visit the Forest Service page for pass and Silverton Area road conditions. Whether youre interested in hiking, mountain climbing, mountain biking, off-highway vehicle adventuring, hunting, fishing, or simply relaxing around a campfire in one of the many local campgrounds, we have numerous books, maps and brochures to help plan your visit. Delay your trip on the road or trail until the mud dries. 71 were here. 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 ample snowpack, a boon to reservoirs, has rendered some roads impassable, while others are at risk of being damaged. You must have JavaScript enabled to fill out this form. Entering or being within mile of Companion Rock, depicted in Exhibit B, between March 15 and July 31, excluding the Great House Trail (632). 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock The road or trail is not ready for travel if you leave a tire print or a boot print in the mud. United States government. on official, secure websites. Seasonal closures also prevent damage to road surfaces during freezing and thawing periods, even if snow levels are not very deep. Find a visitor center location nearest to you. The Restricted Trail is in Montezuma County, Colorado. [1] 261.53(e). 261.55(a)]. Do not cause ruts or road damage and do not get stuck. Pagosa Springs Community Development Corporation, San Juan Water Conservancy District & Dry Gulch. United States. Camping within the monument, as depicted in Exhibit A. 6. Share sensitive information only 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. Be aware that passes can vary with weatherany time of year. Roads are closed seasonally to wheeled motorized vehicles to protect critical wildlife habitat and/or to prevent damage to road surfaces. The Columbine Ranger District will begin opening most low elevation roads May 1st. on official, secure websites. 15 Burnett Court The Picture below is what is currently open and closed in Pagosa Springs. Area(s): The trails youre about to enjoy wouldnt exist without our year-round work to plan, build, and maintain them. The First Fork Trailhead is the start of the First Fork Trail (538). The San Juan National Forest will begin seasonal closures of Forest System roads to wheeled motorized traffic, as well as motorized and some non-motorized trails, on December 1 and after based on snow conditions. Baldy Road at Shinn Road near San Antonio Canyon; Glendora Mountain. Turn right on Middle Fork Road (FR 636). 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. Thursday, Apr 30, 2020 11:40 PM. connected to the .gov website. A map identifying the Described Trail is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit Click on theheadingto view current special orders. These special ordersapply to visitors and activities on the San Juan National Forest. website belongs to an official government organization in the Happy Hour Trailwork | Wednesday, May 17th | Horse Gulch. Rio Grande National Forest Del Norte: 13308 West Hwy 160, (719) 657-3321 Saguache: 46525 State Hwy 114, (719) 655-2547 Great trail some snow in april turned around near top but overall good trail moderate to easy. Visitors are asked to stay off wet roads and respect road closures, which will decrease long-term and costly damages to the roadway. 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. Durango: 15 Burnett Ct, (970) 247-4874 Dolores: 29211 CO Highway 184, (970) 882-7296 Pagosa Springs: 180 Pagosa St, (970) 264-2268. Visitors should be aware that special orders regarding many uses and activities may be in effect on the San Juan National Forest. 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. You can be ticketed for road damage. 12:00 AM unless rescinded. The trail is 8.8 miles long. Road Closures Affecting Disaster Routes Transportation Agencies Antelope Valley Transit Authority Santa Clarita Transit Metro Link Please use existing campsites along Forest Service roads, but do not travel farther than 300 feet from these roads to access the sites. It really damages the road surfaces, which is expensive and causes us to have to re-close the roads to do repairs, Williams said. The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking, Backpacking, Horseback Riding. 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. ) or https:// means you've safely Visitors are asked to stay off wet roads and respect road closures, which will decrease long-term and costly damages to the roadway. Then there are the roads themselves, snaking through the woods in the shadow of impressive 14,000-foot peaks. When visiting the national forest, please follow Leave No Trace principals and to get the most out of your experience, visit the Know Before You Go website. These roads will open in the spring as conditions allow, generally around May 1. 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. 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. The scenery ranges from high desert mesas and canyons to high alpine peaks and meadows. Indicate that you would like to share your letter with our readers. In addition, it is important to understand how to recreate responsiblyin Colorados backcountry. An official website of the Please note, registration is required to join us for Trailwork; please click below to register. 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. The US Forest Service begins road closures on Nov 30th & Dec 15th for the Pagosa Springs San Juan region. 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. House Creek boat ramp to open May 1. Post Contributor San Juan National Forest Near Rico, Colorado (71) No Service Reservation Rules Cayton Campground is located along the San Juan Skyway (Colorado Highway 145) and the Dolores River. This trail is 9.8 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,794 ft. Entering or being on the Described Trail. 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 San Juan National Forest includes approximately 1.8 million acres of federal lands administered by the U.S. Forest Service in Southwestern Colorado. Even if snow levels are not deep, wheeled motorized use can damage road surfaces during freezing and thawing periods. Travel on muddy roads or trails creates damage that lasts throughout the year. TheDolores 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 boat ramp. 261.55(a). Travel 2 miles, then turn right on East Toner Road (FR 637). San Juan National ForestHeadquarters Notes: USFS Roads are Closed - delayed opening with the amount of snow. Be prepared for summertime afternoon thundershowers. All proceeds support SJMAs stewardship and conservation education programs in southwest Colorado! Rd. District Motor Vehicle Use Maps also have an allowable access date table for roads. The Columbine, Dolores, and Pagosa Ranger District Recreation Staff will close gates on roads and trails temporarily to prevent damage to road surfaces and/or protect critical wildlife habitat. 1. Sign up for Pass Opening/Closure Alerts, Road Status Alerts and Emergency Alerts by email or text message using Notify Me. Official Facebook page of the San Juan National Forest. A. The Forest Service will continue to monitor conditions and will open the reservoir when snow and ice clear the ramp. San Juan Skyway Final Report (December 2014) Special Considerations Be prepared for summertime afternoon thundershowers. United States government. This Order shall be in effect from April 15, 2023, at 12:00 AM through May 1, 2023, at 1. 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. Pagosa Springs Jeep Rentals, Electric Fat Tire Bikes, SUPs, & Kayaks. The Dolores, Pagosa and Columbine District Recreation staff have been assessing road . The Forest Service and the Counties do not rescue stranded vehicles. ( 36 C.F.R. Stay on East Toner Road to the trailhead at its end. Want to learn more about our current projects, ways to stay involved and news from the San Juan Mountains Association? 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. 15 Burnett Court Snow is still covering some roads, making passage difficult. Updates to this page are made as soon as the Ranger Districts relay the information. The Dolores Ranger District will be temporarily closing several Forest system roads and trails beginning December 1 and thereafter based on snow conditions. An official website of the United States. Operational hours for the main McPhee boat ramp are as follows: Opening day to April 30: 8am- 6pm. Turn north on Piedra Road for 17 miles. Record of the Decision for the San Juan National Forest Land and Resource Management . Sept 20 - Oct 31: 8am - 6pm. (970) 247-4874, https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sanjuan/alerts-notices/?cid=FSBDEV3_002300, McPhee boat ramp opening likely delayed due to ice conditions, Local Jeep / OHV Rental and Tour Companies. The segment from Ouray to Silverton is called the "Million Dollar Highway." Seasonally closed roads on the San Juan National Forest will open Friday. Roads are closed seasonally to wheeled motorized vehicles to protect critical wildlife habitat and/or to prevent damage to road surfaces. During these critical times, human disturbance can threaten the survival of deer and elk, especially pregnant females. 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. Things to Know: View information to help you plan aheadsuch aspasses, maps, regulations, &safety. The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking and Horseback Riding. The Recreate Responsibly Coalition also offers guidelines and tips for getting outside and staying healthy while practicing responsible outdoor recreation and wildfire prevention activities. How many off road driving trails are in San Juan National Forest? 1) Being on the Restricted Trail from May 15 to June 30 each year. (Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service), Stuck vehicles can be expensive to extricate and can cause damage in the process. Closed for all federal holidays. Drivers hoping to traverse the network of backcountry roads that cover the three districts in the San Juan National Forest will have to wait a little bit longer this year. 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. 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. Riding or tethering a horse or other saddle or pack animal on the Great Kiva Trail (699), the Great House Trail (632), or the archaeological sites accessed by these trails, as depicted in Exhibit B.. ) or https:// means you've safely Trails are the cornerstone of our community and the gateway to the outdoors. From Pagosa Springs: Travel west on U.S. Highway 160 to Piedra Road (County Road 600/FR 631). Visit the San Juan National Forest (SJNF) website for fire restrictions and closures, or you can contact the SJNF at 970-247-4874. Even when our main roads are clear of snow, we will try to keep gates closed long enough to protect the secondary routes that are native surface roads and tend to get torn up more easily.. Order shall be in effect on the road or Trail until the mud dries prevent to. Or mid-December to prevent damage to road surfaces during freezing and thawing periods Court is. Miles, then turn right on Middle Fork road ( FR 636 ) 31: -! Letter with our readers, Inc. - All rights reserved to reservoirs, has rendered some,. Allowable access date table for roads and made part of this Order shall be in effect on Daily... Road 663 - Buckles Lake road and ends at Leche Creek Trail ( 538 ) part of this as. 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