The San Juan Nation Forest Dolores District shared the following upcoming events. 

• June 13-15th: XP Rides - long distance horseback riding event. Learn more here.
• June 6th: Mesa Verde Backcountry Horsemen - annual horseback poker ride , trail map below.​

Updates from the week of June 8th:
​Most of the trails are pretty dry with a bit of snow hanging on in high elevation north facing areas like West Fall Creek and Sharkstooth trail within Bear Creek Basin.  Forest Service saw crews spent this week finishing wilderness trail clearing and working on Sharkstooth Trail, team on a UTV clearing Willow divide, Groundhog and Boggy OHV trails, and a team finishing the clearing on Eagle peak and  East Fork trail.  Next they will move on to northern calico.
​
If you've been out and clear/see a section of trail that has been cleared properly that is blank on this list, let MTG know and we can send an update to the Forest Service. Of course, new trees always fall so it's a never-ending thing. 

Lower elevation areas will go into restrictions while upper elevations and wilderness will not. 

 San Juan National Forest Fire Management Staff are implementing Stage I Fire Restrictions in lower elevations beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 22 (see full Forest Order and maps for details). The minimum fine for violating campfire restrictions in Stage I is $530 in Colorado. Fire restrictions will only be implemented at lower elevations to account for variable conditions across the forest. Low elevation areas (referred to as Zone I in the Forest Order) are more susceptible to wildfire risk due to rapid vegetation curing and dry surface fuels, while higher elevation areas (Zone II) are still green and maintaining higher fuel moistures. The Stage 1 Fire Restrictions boundary is illustrated on the Forest Order maps and follows major roadways and Designated Wilderness boundaries. All San Juan NF Wilderness Areas are currently excluded from Stage I Fire Restrictions.

Although Southwest Colorado experienced several rain events late this spring, vegetation is rapidly drying out due to hot, dry weather, leading to considerable wildfire conditions in much of the lower country. Fire danger at lower elevations (below 8,000 feet) is averaged on the San Juan National Forest, where generally, peak “green up” (when grasses and shrubs reach peak moisture content) occurred around May 14. This vegetation has begun a rapid drying trend. Recent precipitation was not widespread, though it did stall the drying trend in localized areas. For example, ¼” of rain fell northwest of Dolores, allowing fire managers to conduct the Salter-Carlyle Prescribed Fire on Wednesday. 

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on the San Juan National Forest PROHIBIT:
1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes), except if it is in: 
a.   A permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the U.S. Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas); 
b.   A device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off used in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device; or
c.   A fully enclosed metal stove with a chimney at least five feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of a ¼ inch or less used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device. 
36 CFR § 261.52(a).
2.    Using an explosive. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(b)
3.    Smoking is prohibited, except in an enclosed vehicle, building, or a developed recreation site, 36 CFR § 261.52(d)
4.    Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except if in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of Class 2A) is kept with the operator. 36 CFR § 261.52(h)

Temporary restrictions will remain in place until further notice and may be increased or reduced at any time due to changes in weather and fire danger. To learn more about fire restrictions, fuels management, and other wildfire related issues, visit our fire information webpage.

Fire restrictions do not prevent wildfires—you do! It is every forest visitor’s and camper’s responsibility to follow best practices, properly maintain and extinguish campfires to prevent wildfires. Fire prevention and law enforcement will be patrolling, and anyone who violates Stage 1 restrictions will be ticketed.



 

The US Forest Service will be providing training on trail maintenance for Trail Adopters and trail workday Volunteer Crew Leaders. Registration is required (please see below).

When:
May 16th, 8:30am-3:00pm
Lunch provided by Mancos Trails Group

Where:
Chicken Creek Trail Head (Near Transfer Campground)

For more information and to register for this free event, click here. 

Please note that this training day is replacing our previously scheduled May 16th trail work day.

The Aqueduct trails opened on May 1st and have been very popular with locals and other SW Colorado and NE New Mexico "visitors". The trails over-wintered very well, but the substantial spring freeze-thaw cycles really softened up the surface. 

Bicycle riders should try to ride in the center of the trail, and especially use caution on downhill sections and sharp turns, because the sides of the trails are still very soft.

The porty-potty has been delivered, and the shade pavilion with picnic table and changing room are available for your use at the main trailhead.

Please be kind to the trails and wait at least 48 hours after significant rain to ride Aqueduct.