San Juan NF in SW Colorado to be closed!
I started another thread on the 416 Fire north of Durango, but this closure will affect a much greater area. So if you have plans around Durango, Pagosa Springs, Dolores up to Lizard Head Pass, be ...
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patperry2766 wrote:Tough to know where things will be in a month. They're predicting some rain this weekend but I don't know what that will mean for the overall forest closure. I've read that the monsoon is supposed to kick in earlier this year, so that will also help.
So, with the closure, does that also mean that travel on roads is closed as well?
I would assume so, but wanted to ask to make sure. Were gonna be in Ridgway in a month and I didn't want to end up somewhere where I'm not suppose to be. We were gonna rent a Jeep and do some exploring in the Telluride, Silverton, Ouray area..is that still safe for now or is it too soon to tell.
More specifically to your question, even now there's plenty to do in the areas you've mentioned. Most aren't on San Juan NF lands. Above Ouray and Telluride is the Uncompahgre NF which isn't under closure. Great trails out of Ouray to places like Yankee Boy Basin. Imogene Pass (4x4) from Ouray to Telluride shouldn't be a problem either. But all the 4x4 roads south of Red Mountain Pass on US 550 and Lizard Head Pass on CO 145 are on San Juan NF lands and therefore closed.
BUT, many of the trails east of Silverton are on BLM lands and not subject to the closures. The road up to Animas Forks would be great. Engineer Pass or Stony Pass over to Lake City would also work.
The Jeep rental agencies will steer you to the appropriate areas.
