Colorado Trail Status, Closures, repairs, discussion.

So, the CO Trail is closed too, Given those maps overlap it?

 

Don't know what the time frame between the two orders/closures is, but the one on the right specifically states the trail is closed and between which trailheads. The one on the left the whole thing is still open, so I can only assume when they expanded the closure to the west, that shut it down.

 

based on the Order # i'd say the trail is closed... 2018-07 showed open, then 2018-08 showed closed?

with the new closure coming out tomorrow, i'm hoping they will have updated maps to shed more light on the closures

 

more info on SJNF closure:

from convo on a trailsoffroad post... If you have plans down there, call the San Juan National Forest and ask specifics about what is closed. I spoke with them and I can tell you for sure Black Bear, Ophir, Clear Lake, and Bullion Lakes are major trails that are part of the closure. Basically anything on the west side of 550 and south of Red Mountain Pass. The majority of lands east of Silverton, like Animas Forks and trails around there, are BLM so they will remain open. Also, trails out of Ouray are a different forest so those will not yet be affected either. Don't trust what other people are saying on the internet, make a phone call and confirm with authorities

 

and here it is...
Special Order: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd583245.pdf



Pursuant to 16 United States Code (U.S.C.) § 551 and 36 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System lands within the San Juan National Forest, in Archuleta, Conejos, Dolores, Hinsdale, La Plata, Mineral, Montezuma, Rio Grande, and San Juan Counties, State of Colorado (the "Restricted Area"), and on all roads and trails located within the Restricted Area.

The Restricted Area and the closed Roads and Trails are depicted on the attached map, hereby incorporated into this Order as Exhibit 1.

The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources and public safety due to the impacts of the wildland fire

PROHIBITIONS:
1) Going into or being upon the Restricted Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e) and 36 C.F.R. §261.52(e).
2) Being on the Roads within the Restricted Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).
3) Being on the Trails within the Restricted Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).

EXEMPTIONS:
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1) Any federal, state or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force, in the performance of an official duty;
2) Persons with a written authorization from the Forest Service specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission;
3) Persons accessing the McPhee Recreation Area Complex boat ramp and marina for the purposes of launching or retrieving watercraft and who are on the waters of McPhee Reservoir at least ten (10) feet from the shoreline.

This Order supersedes, rescinds and replaces Order SJ-2018-07 issued June 3, 2018; and Order SJ-2018-08 issued June 8, 2018. Existing Stage 2 restrictions (Order SJ-2018-06) will remain in effect and apply to persons exempted from this order.

This Order becomes effective at 12:01 am on June 12, 2018, and remains in effect until rescinded, or through December 31,2018, whichever event occurs first.

Violations of these prohibitions are punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for a legal entity other than an individual, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both. (16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559 and 3571).

 

Was in Crested Butte last week and had these observations:

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions - camp fires only in designated campsites with metal camp rings.

FSR 317 coming out of Mt. Crested Butte is closed with a FS sign saying drifts are too deep between Rustler Gultch and Emerald Lake. The sign is right before the Rustler Gultch turn a little bit after the Gothic Campground. I did make the turn for Rustler Gultch as I saw people camping off there, but shortly after there is a river crossing that looked pretty intense and the wife didn't think it was a good idea so we turned around.

Did FSR 811 from Crested Butte up to where it connects with FSR 734 and back down to CB. The last part of 811 going down to 734 had some drifting, but it wasn't that bad. Made it through with a stock 18' DCOR.

Kebler Pass is open, but they just laid a bunch of Mag Chloride on the road.

FSR 826 up to Lake Irwin is wide open and good to go.

Also visited Grand Sand Dunes last week.

Medano Pass is open all the way through and the river crossings are very low. Shouldn't be a problem for pretty much anybody. NOTE: They are in Stage 2 fire restrictions.

Lastly headed over to the White River National Forest around Independence Pass - No fire restrictions that I could find.

Camped off of Lincoln Creek (FSR 23) went to the top and didn't run into any issues.

 

and it continues....

La Plata County now under stage 3

 

I'm starting to wonder if there will be anywhere to actual go wheel come July.

 

kansas

 

Sad Face!

 

Plenty of malls around.

 

***Update: Ophir Pass will remain open per USFS. ***

The San Juan National Forest implemented Stage 3 fire restrictions today prohibiting entry to any portion of that land. San Miguel County includes large sections of the Uncompahgre National Forest but borders some San Juan forest land, including east of Black Bear Pass. Consequently, Black Bear Pass is CLOSED until USFS downgrades its fire restrictions in the San Juan National Forest. Popular hiking and biking trails in and around Telluride such as, but not limited to, Bear Creek and Jud Wiebe are in the Uncompahgre National Forest which is under Stage 1 fire restrictions, prohibiting campfires and smoking, and are still available for recreational activities.
You can find more information on USFS FB pages: U.S. Forest Service - San Juan National Forest and U.S. Forest Service-Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre & Gunnison National Forests
Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/sanjuan/
Phone: 970-247-4874
Please check maps before heading out to trails. Know before you go!

 

on better news....


Trail Conditions Update, as of 6/13/18:
Grizzly Lake - Open
Iron Chest - Open
Pomeroy Lake - Open
Hancock Lake - Open
Hancock Pass - Open
Tincup Pass - Open
Baldwin Lake - Open
Boulder Mountain - Open
Ptarmigan Lake/Grassy Gulch 4x4 Road - Open
Mineral Basin - Open
Lost Canyon - Open
Clohesy Lake - Open
Champion Mill - Open
Otto Mears Toll Road - Open to Bonanza
Billings Lake - Open
Holy Cross - Open with snow
Mt. Antero - Open
Mt. Princeton - Open
Wheeler Lake - Open with snow
Taylor Mountain - Open
If you have further trail updates, post them in the comments and we will update. Thanks!
Be extremely careful out there, it's incredibly dry. Report violations right away!
**Chaffee County Sheriff's Office has now issued Stage 2 Fire Restrictions**
**San Isabel National Forest Salida District is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions**
**Town of Buena Vista is now in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions**
**Lake County is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions**
Please stay on the trail, do not drive around snow!
*when we say “open”, we have a verified report of a vehicle making it to that point. You may not be able to make it through snow without the right equipment. *

 

Sub good info.

 

Looks like more stage 2 fire bans. Pike and San Isabel National forest are now included in the stage 2 fire ban. Sucks because I have next week off and was supposed to be camping in Buena Vista. The trails in that area are still open from what I've read.
http://chaffeesheriff.org/fire-restrictions/

 

http://www.coemergency.com/p/fire-bans-danger.html

found this website while looking up some stuff might be a good add too the front page @Star-Lord based on county

this one below just found might be the better link being .GOV

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dfpc/fire-bans-and-restrictions

 

well I was looking to see what counties are under any fire restrictions/bans pretty much the whole state is minus some of the northern counties. was also looking for what's covered under stage I,II,III fire ban. I think it would be good to post this so people know what they can and cant do under certain stages. goes with out saying. calling the local ranger station where you are going to confirm current bans.


https://www.google.com/fusiontables...106.05593609375002&t=1&z=7&l=col4&y=2&tmplt=3

 

Curious as to how accurate that interactive map is. It is showing Summit County has no restrictions. From my understanding Summit went into restrictions hours after the Buffalo fire started.

 

Yep, After clicking like 5 links to get there

http://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=d5337383e1184026b5efb02132391535

 

Thats interesting. I was just trying to figure it out myself as well. Even the Summit County website says they are not in any restrictions at the moment. I know officials have said they are. Residents were really upset that no restrictions were in place when the fire broke out. At the press conference the Sheriff said they were planning on enacting stage 1 that morning and then the fire broke out.

EDIT: Just called Summit County. They are in Stage 1 and don't know why their website or the CO website says they are not. They directed me to the website for information and I told them it shows they are in no fire bans.

Summit County website as of 9:45am this morning.