For the latest information on road status, visit the SJNFs website. on official, secure websites. pretty easy trail nothing technical at all the end of the trail is a little anti climatic but other then that nice drive through the trees. Please don't go beyond where you are comfortable driving. Area(s): The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking and Horseback Riding. The Pagosa Daily Post welcomes submissions, photos, letters and videos from people who love Pagosa Springs, Colorado. For information on the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874. 1230 Main Street 802 Main Ave, Durango, CO 81301 Find Your Park Find Your Park Colorado Byways Website Contact Us Lenore C. Bates Colorado Byways Program Manager All Rights Reserved. Release Date: Apr 6, 2023. District 2 The Norwood - Dolores road is closed.. connected to the .gov website. How many off road driving trails are in San Juan National Forest? 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. Parking: Most trailheads offer limited parking space. The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking, Backpacking, Horseback Riding. Visitors are asked to stay off wet roads and respect road closures, which will decrease long-term and costly damages to the roadway. The First Fork Trailhead is the start of the First Fork Trail (538). Inquire about road conditions in winter. San Juan National ForestHeadquarters . The Forest Service will continue to monitor conditions and will open the reservoir when snow and ice clear the ramp. Durango, CO 81301 Recreation Areas. 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. 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. 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. 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.. Roads are closed seasonally to wheeled motorized vehicles to protect critical wildlife habitat and/or to prevent damage to road surfaces. 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. Area(s): 2022 Durango Trails Inc | Privacy Policy. This turn off is located between mile markers 72 and 73. If byways could claim royal lineage, this one would probably rule them all. All forms of recreation are still welcome - snowmobiles, skiers, fat tire bikes, snowshoeingetc. ) or https:// means you've safely The ample snowpack, a boon to reservoirs, has rendered some roads impassable, while others are at risk of being damaged. 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. Lets protect these wildly beautiful lands by treating them with the respect they deserve. McPhee boat ramp opening likely delayed due to ice conditions. The San Juan National Forest includes approximately 1.8 million acres of federal lands administered by the U.S. Forest Service in Southwestern Colorado. Be prepared for summertime afternoon thundershowers. Some usually passable roads are covered in deep snow and will not be passable for several weeks. 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. . It begins at Forest Road 663 - Buckles Lake Road and ends at Leche Creek Trail (576). Indicate that you would like to share your letter with our readers. Travelers should always be prepared for winter conditions and travel with shovels, tire chains and appropriate safety equipment necessary for winter conditions. Ranger District Offices. Share sensitive information only Post Contributor Also, check out the San Juan Jeep Roads website for real-time information provided by the public. 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 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. 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.. Pagosa Springs Jeep Rentals, Electric Fat Tire Bikes, SUPs, & Kayaks. 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. 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. Visit the San Juan National Forest (SJNF) website for fire restrictions and closures, or you can contact the SJNF at 970-247-4874. Closures offer wildlife herds forage, shelter, and protection from disturbance over the winter and into early spring, when animals are most vulnerable. (Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service), Stuck vehicles can be expensive to extricate and can cause damage in the process. 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. The road or trail is not ready for travel if you leave a tire print or a boot print in the mud. Please note, registration is required to join us for Trailwork; please click below to register. DESCRIBED TRAIL Monday through Friday. May 1 - Sept 19: 6am - 8pm. Record of the Decision for the San Juan National Forest Land and Resource Management . United States. 1. The segment from Ouray to Silverton is called the "Million Dollar Highway." 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. 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. 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. Baldy Road at Shinn Road near San Antonio Canyon; Glendora Mountain. United States government. on official, secure websites. Things to Know: View information to help you plan aheadsuch aspasses, maps, regulations, &safety. The San Juan National Forest covers over 1,800,000 acres of mostly untouched wilderness area in Southwest Colorado. Entering or being within mile of Companion Rock, depicted in Exhibit B, between March 15 and July 31, excluding the Great House Trail (632). San Juan National Forest15 Burnett CourtDurango CO 81301970-247-4874[emailprotected], Ouray Visitors Center1230 Main StreetOuray CO 81427970-325-4746facebook.com/SanJuanSkyway, Silverton Visitors Center414 Greene St, Silverton, CO 81433970-387-5530, Durango Welcome Center802 Main Ave, Durango, CO 81301800-525-8855[emailprotected], Lenore C. BatesColorado Byways Program Manager303-757-9786, Colorado Tourism Office1-800-COLORADOwww.colorado.com, https://www.codot.gov/travel/colorado-byways/southwest/san-juan-skyway, https://www.codot.gov/@@site-logo/siteLogo.png, Trail Ridge Road: Rocky Mountain National Park, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument Museum & Visitor Center, Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum, Ridgway Visitor Center and Railroad Museum, San Juan County Historical Society Museum, San Juan Skyway Tourism Initiative (May 2000), A Framework for Wayshowing: San Juan Skyway (June 2013), San Juan Skyway Final Report (December 2014). San Juan National ForestHeadquarters All proceeds support SJMAs stewardship and conservation education programs in southwest Colorado! An official website of the 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. 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. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INSTANCES OF ROAD CLOSURE SIGNS AND BARRICADES BEING REMOVED OR DRIVEN AROUND. 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. San Juan Skyway Final Report (December 2014) Special Considerations Be prepared for summertime afternoon thundershowers. [36 C.F.R. 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. 36 C.F.R. Official websites use .gov A .gov Off roading was a lot of fun. Learn more here. McPhee boat ramp opening likely delayed due to ice conditions; Hermosa Creek Trail Damage; View All Forest Alerts . 2022 | The Pagosa Springs SUN Publishing, Inc. - All rights reserved. The Columbine Ranger District will be temporarily closing most Forest systems roads beginning December 1. 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. 261.55(a). Snow is still covering some roads, making passage difficult. United States. From Pagosa Springs: Travel west on U.S. Highway 160 to Piedra Road (County Road 600/FR 631). Follow the additional links for other regions in the area which include Creede, The Alpine Loop and South Fork. Founded in 1988, the San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA), promotes the exploration and protection of public lands in Southwest Colorado through stewardship and conservation education for people of all ages. Maybe Not Part One, Colorados Magic Mushroom Board Convenes for the First Time, OPINION: County STR Decisions Would Benefit from Mapping Tools, Archuleta Democrats to Host Informal Lunch Tomorrow, EDITORIAL: Pagosa School Threats, Explained, Part Two, Flowstone Education to Host Earth Day Recycling Event in Pagosa Springs, READY, FIRE, AIM: My Fake Russian Twitter Account, Justice Department to Ask Supreme Court to Reject Limits on Abortion Pill Access, Part Two, HMPRESENTLY: Flying Leaps of Faith, Faltering. Please use existing campsites along Forest Service roads, but do not travel farther than 300 feet from these roads to access the sites. An official website of the Closures offer wildlife herds forage, shelter and protection from disturbance over the winter and into early spring, when animals are most vulnerable. and ends at Forest Road 666 - Fawn Gulch Road. Others run adjacent to waterways that are at risk of flooding. Anyone caught will be reported to the Sheriff's Department. These special ordersapply to visitors and activities on the San Juan National Forest. The Pagosa Ranger District recreation staff have been assessing roads this spring and opening as conditions allow. 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. The San Juan National Forest will continue to monitor road conditions; upper elevation and backcountry roads will be opened June 1st or as conditions permit. It begins at Forest Road 667 - East Fork Rd. A dedicated website for the Alpine Loop is coming soon and will be linked here. 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. Closed for all federal holidays. San Juan National ForestHeadquarters Even if snow levels are not deep, wheeled motorized use can damage road surfaces during freezing and thawing periods. United States government. Chimney Rock National Monument. Durango, CO 81301 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. Trails are the cornerstone of our community and the gateway to the outdoors. Ballantine Communications, Inc. 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 | connected to the .gov website. Durango, CO 81301 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. Our visitor information specialists around the region do our best to maintain up-to-date information on trail conditions, fire restrictions, the status of campgrounds and mountain roads, so let us help you plan your next trip! 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. All offices on the San Juan National Forest are currently conducting business and providing services virtually. P.O. Sign up for Pass Opening/Closure Alerts, Road Status Alerts and Emergency Alerts by email or text message using Notify Me. Official websites use .gov A .gov Then there are the roads themselves, snaking through the woods in the shadow of impressive 14,000-foot peaks. 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. Contact: Columbine Ranger District (970) 884-2512. connected to the .gov website. 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. Official websites use .gov A .gov It is one of 13 America's Byways designated in Colorado. 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. Roads are closed seasonally to wheeled motorized vehicles to protect critical wildlife habitat and/or to prevent damage to road surfaces. 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. The San Juan National Forest's seasonally closed roads schedule follows. website belongs to an official government organization in the Operational hours for the main McPhee boat ramp are as follows: Opening day to April 30: 8am- 6pm. It begins at Forest Road 135 - Beaver Mds. | The information displayed here comes directly from the U.S Forest Service. (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. on official, secure websites. The trails youre about to enjoy wouldnt exist without our year-round work to plan, build, and maintain them. Attached is Forest Order Number SJNF-2022-03: The purpose of this Order is to protect spring elk calving. This trail is 9.8 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,794 ft. USDA Forest Service - San Juan National Forest For information on the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874. use Durango as a jumping-off point for hiking and camping in the San Juan National Forest, . * These forest roads are not gated; therefore are not regularly monitored. | Mailing address: (Courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service), Roads in the San Juan National Forest are in rough shape as the snow begins to melt. Send to pagosadailypost@gmail.com. Pagosa Springs, CO 81147, Open 8-12 and 1:15-4 p.m. ( 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. SJMA Visitor Information Specialists are located all around the Southwest Colorado Region from Durango to Montrose to Del Norte to Pagosa Springs and more! 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. You must have JavaScript enabled to fill out this form. Seasonal closures also prevent damage to road surfaces during freezing and thawing periods, even if snow levels are not very deep. This order is needed to protect public safety and wildlife along the McPhee Overlook Trail #155. 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. 71 were here. The crash was reported at 9:22 p.m. near Junipero Serra Road, preliminary reports showed. 1. website belongs to an official government organization in the Roads are closed seasonally to wheeled motorized vehicles to protect critical wildlife habitat and/or to prevent damage to road surfaces. 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