Wolf Creek Pass Winter Recreation Area

Associated Documents

Forest Order

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Rio Grande National Forest
Divide Ranger District

Wolf Creek Pass Winter Recreation Area

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261 .50(a) and (b), the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands, roads, and trails on the Divide Ranger District, Rio Grande National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the "Described Area" and "Described Roads and Trails"):
1. Possessing or using an over-snow vehicles. 36 C.F.R. §§ 261 .56, 261.54(a), 261.55(b)
2. Camping in a designated parking area or at a trailhead. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e).
3. Parking in violation of posted instructions. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(g).

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 Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer
that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251 .50(e)(1) or (2).

DESCRIBED AREA, ROADS, AND TRAILS

The Described Area includes the Lobo Overlook Area, Wolf Creek Ski Area, Pass Creek Yurt Area, and Alberta Reservoir directly north and south of Highway 160 in Township 38 North, Range 2 East, and Township 7 North, Range 2 East, 6th P.M. It is all National Forest System lands within the following boundaries: beginning at the Lobo Overlook and following the Rio Grande Forest boundary south and east along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, NFS Trail 813, to Railroad Pass; then goes north to NFS Road 390. The area boundary then goes west to Alberta Reservoir, then northeast to Highway 160. From there the boundary follows Highway 160 to the northeast until state highway 160, then follows Highway 160 to closed road 415 where it turns due west for 0.75 miles, and then goes due north for 1 mile.

The Described Roads and Trails include all NFSR and NFST in the Described Area (NFSR 391 , NFSR 391.B and NFST 813) except for NFSR 402.

PURPOSE 

The purpose of this Order is to protect public safety during snow removal operations in
the parking lots and by reducing user conflicts.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from December 1, 2024, at 12:01 AM through November 30, 2027, at 12:00 AM, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area, Roads, and Trails is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to Rio Grande National Forest -Alerts & Notices (usda.gov).
3. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions. 
4. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18
U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
5. Contact the Divide Ranger District in Del Norte, Colorado at (719) 657-3321, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts on the same Described Arca, Roads, or Trails.

Signed and issued on November 5, 2024.

DENNIS KUHNEL
Forest Supervisor
Rio Grande National Forest

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