Government and Nightmare Trail Closure Extended to June 28th

Public Announcements

Snowmass area Seasonal Closures in Effect for Elk Calving

SNOWMASS VILLAGE, Colo. – The White River National Forest, Town of Snowmass Village, Aspen Skiing Company and Colorado Parks and Wildlife are working together to remind the public that critical elk calving occurs this time of year from Two Creeks to West Buttermilk. The annual closure and restrictions are in place currently and are in effect through late June. This year, the closure has been extended for one week in most of the area, including the Government Trail. Tom Blake, Sequel, and other trails in the Elk Camp and Two Creeks vicinity will be unaffected by this change. Trail users are advised to check the new restrictions before heading out.

“This annual closure gives cow elk solitude and free-range to raise their young,” stated Phil Nyland, Wildlife Biologist for the Forest Service. “Disturbance caused by humans and dogs is very stressful to elk giving birth and nursing calves. Disturbance may also lead elk to abandon their calves.”

Over the past five months, in coordination with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the White River National Forest conducted an evaluation of elk calving needs and solicited public comments regarding a proposal to change the historic closure for the area. The proposal did not include Tom Blake, Sequel, and other trails in the Elk Camp and Two Creeks vicinity where the restrictions would remain in place from April 25 through June 20.

“Our desire was to work with the community and partners to develop a closure that is science-based and has community support,” said Kevin Warner, Aspen-Sopris District Ranger.  “In doing so, we found common ground. Folks want to protect elk and their calves, and feel strongly that we should all do our part.”

Elk have chosen to return to the Two Creeks – West Buttermilk area every year because the area offers water, forage and the seclusion they need to survive, birth and nurse without being startled or disrupted.

“This closure protects elk during critical biological functions that ramp up late April and extend to the end of June, said Kurtis Tesch of Colorado Parks and Wildlife.  ”Since the local elk population is in decline and more information on factors affecting calf survival is several years away, a small increase in the time of restricted access is reasonable to allow mother elk and their calves to nurse, bond wean and become strong enough to join the herd.”

The proposal extended the closure time frame an additional week to allow late-birthing elk longer time to nurse and raise their newborn calves without disturbances that may cause elk to misplace or abandon calves, or injury to calves that struggle to keep up with their mothers. Comments in favor of extending the restricted period were received from 44 entities including partners such as Aspen Skiing Company, Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association, Roaring Fork Horse Council, Pitkin County, the Town of Snowmass Village, individual trail users, nearby residents and the public.

This proposal also provided an opportunity for the Forest Service to align its restriction timing with Town of Snowmass Village Ordinances where the federal and Town boundaries overlap.

The closure includes the following trails:

  • Tom Blake trail, Sequel trail and other trails in the Elk Camp and Two Creeks vicinity are closed April 25 through June 20.  These trails and the surrounding area open June 21.
  • Anaerobic Nightmare trail is closed April 25 through June 27. This trail and the surrounding area open June 28.
  • Government trail #1980 and Sugarbowl trail are closed May 15 through June 27.  These trails and the surrounding area open June 28.

Wildlife monitoring cameras have shown hikers, dog walkers, and cyclists recreating in the area illegally during the closure period. Violating the closure can result in a fine of up to $5,000 or 6 months in jail, punishable by Forest Service regulation. Violation of Town of Snowmass Village Ordinance also applies in Town limits.

Many other trails in the area are open during this time. Suggested alternative trails include the Highline/Lowline trails (open year round); Sky Mountain Park trails (open May 16); North Rim trail (opens May 16); South Rim trail (open year round); Ditch trail (open year round); Sam’s Knob and Alpine Springs trails; West Government trail; and Elk Camp work roads.

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Comment on Proposed Rules for eMTBs on BLM trails by June 9!

Public Announcements
Love ’em? Hate ’em? Never heard of ’em?

Good news, any above answer on eMTBs means it is important to participate in this comment period. Following up on last year’s Dept. of Interior Secretarial Order 3376, a Proposed Rule for managing e-bikes on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land is now open for public comment through June 9. Mountain bikers could be affected by this new rule more than any other user group. The BLM has long been a strong federal partner and values rider input, so let’s make sure our voices are heard and we shape this new rule well for mountain biking.

Pros of the proposed Rule: 
–Requires a local public process before allowing any eMTB access. 
–Distinguishes between class 1, class 2 and class 3 eMTBs. 
–Manages eMTBs separately from mountain bikes.

What could & should improve in the final Rule:
–Managing class 1, class 2 and class 3 eMTBs separately from each other.
–Prohibiting class 2 and class 3 eMTBs on natural surface non-motorized trails. 
-Revise any Rule language that carries a pre-decisional undertone. The BLM should point to NEPA as the required way of making revisions to travel management decisions. Local mountain bikers and stakeholders should play an important role in local decisions; local eMTB access should not be decided by the Dept. of Interior’s over-riding point of view.
–Clarify the timeline for required NEPA analysis as part of future planning processes. For some deep background details on this topic, take a look at IMBA’s analysis of the Proposed Rule. For more information on eMTBs, visit IMBA’s eMTB education page and IMBA’s eMTB FAQs.
Ready to submit a comment?

For this proposed rule you need to submit your individual comment using regulations.gov. (Rule reference number: RIN 1004-AE72.) The sample comment below is in line with IMBA’s eMTB position, which supports class 1 eMTB access as long as access for traditional mountain bikes is not lost or impeded. We always advocate for these decisions to be made via public process alongside local mountain bikers and all stakeholders. Customize the comment below—the second paragraph would be great to personalize—or craft your own comment following these tips.
Sample Comment:
 Thank you for the opportunity for the public to engage in the Bureau of Land Management’s “Increasing Recreational Opportunities through the Use of Electric Bikes”.

The mountain bike community is responsible for a large part of the natural surface trail infrastructure that exists today on our federal, state and local public lands. Hundreds of organized mountain bike clubs around the country manage thousands of volunteers who work closely with land managers on trail development, trail maintenance, and trail education for all users. Mountain bikers appreciate that the leap in technology presented by eMTBs is a unique management challenge. This proposed rule rightfully plans separate management for bicycles and electric bicycles. It is critical that land managers and local mountain bikers work together to determine where eMTBs are and are not appropriate on current and future mountain bike trails. The proposed rule includes an admirable planning process to achieve this, which could be made stronger by clarifying the timeline for NEPA analysis.

The final rule should be improved by following the International Mountain Bicycling Association’s management recommendations: managing the three classes of e-bikes separately from one another, and prohibiting class 2 and class 3 eMTBs on natural surface, non-motorized trails. This is to maintain the spirit of traditional mountain bicycling by ensuring pedal-assisted use, and maintaining reasonable speeds for the safety of all users.
Thank you for the willingness to engage with the mountain bike community.

Sincerely,
[name, location, contact information]
Thank you for taking action!
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS
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New opening dates for Coal Camp loops in South Canyon

Public Announcements, Trail Information

The City of Glenwood Springs Parks and Recreation Commission has chosen to change the current wildlife closure dates for the upper and lower Coal Camp loops in South Canyon. The new dates are as follows:

  • Lower Coal Camp Loop will be closed Dec. 1 through April 30, open on May 1st.
  • The Upper Coal Camp Trail will be closed Dec. 1 through May 15, open on May 16. 

City of Glenwood Springs Parks and Recreation Commission warns users that the spring opening day may be delayed due to high snow or large numbers of elk in the area.

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MIDDLE SECTION of UNDIE NOW OPEN

Public Announcements

Big thanks goes out to the fine efforts of hardcore volunteers and the RFMBA Trail Crew who made the big push to get a short section of the new Undie Trail cleared for your riding pleasure. 

The “MIddle” section of Undie is just a short slice of the big Undie pie, but it is a nice shortcut to the upper section of the Father of Ginormous gully.   Of course, one could still ride to the top of the Crown for the thrilling steep and loose descent, but now you don’t have to. 

Be aware, there is stil a short section that is cleared but not 100% finished.  We recommend a quick hike-a-bike portage until the section is fully complete.  We expect to have that trail dug in sometime next week. 

To get to the new section, ride up BLM Road 8320 to about 1/2 before the wild and loose FoG drop in.  Look for the new Undie trail sign and go left.  (A trail that goes up and to the right at that junction is the Upper Undie section that is still under construction and only goes a short distance.  Feel free to check that out if you like. 

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