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Blue Lakes area closure
The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests announce temporary closure of Blue Lakes area for trailhead construction and restoration efforts, beginning June 2. The closure is expected to remain through August 2025 and will be lifted as soon as it is safe to access the area.
These efforts kickoff the first phase of the Blue Lakes visitor use management plan, aimed at improving visitor experiences and ensuring long-term sustainability of the site’s natural resources.
The work includes reconstruction of the trailhead parking area and the installation of two new vault restrooms. These projects will use funding from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA).
In addition to site improvements, the forest will be installing kiosks and interpretive panels, cataloging invasive plants, installing signage, developing outreach campaigns, installing temporary fences to preserve restored areas, and developing a monitoring plan for improved visitor use metrics.
The Forest Service will also begin work to establish designated camping areas and complete restoration work on social trails and impacted sites, through partnerships with the National Forest Foundation and Southwest Conservation Corps, a program of Conservation Legacy.
The Blue Lakes Trailhead is accessed from County Road 7, approximately 12 miles southwest of Ridgway. The closure area includes the road starting at the Forest Service boundary at the end of County Road 7 and extends to the Mount Sneffels Wilderness boundary on the Blue Lakes Trail. Portions of the Dallas and Wilson Creek trails, adjacent to the trailhead, will also be closed. This closure is necessary to ensure the safety of visitors and workers during the construction period.
Alert Start Date: June 2nd, 2025
Alert End Date: December 31st, 2025
Order Number: GMUG-2025-05
Associated Documents
Forest Order
Trails. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e),
261.55(a)
EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1. Persons who are employees or contractors of Clarke & Co working on the Blue Lakes Trailhead Reconstruction Project, employees of San Juan Huts and Camp 9091, employees or contractors of National Forest Foundation, San Juan Mountains Association, and Double RL working on projects within the area.
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).
3. Any Federal, State, or Local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force performing an official duty.
DESCRIBED AREA, ROADS, AND TRAILS
The Described Area, Roads, and Trails are in Ouray County, Colorado, in Sections 24, 25, 35, and 36 of Township 44 North, Range 9 West of New Mexico P.M.
The Described Area is the Blue Lakes Trailhead and access areas, located along NFS Road 851.1, 851.1C, and 851.3B, which encompasses the trailhead, 500-foot buffer of roads, 100-foot buffer of trails and pathways in the vicinity of the trailhead.
The Described Roads are the entirety of NFS Road 851.1, 851.1C, and 851.3B, beginning at Forest boundary and continuing to the Blue Lakes Trailhead.
The Described Trails are NFS Trail 201, Blue Lakes Trail, beginning at is junction with NFS Trail 200 and ending at its Mount Sneffels Wilderness boundary; NFS Trail 202, Wilson Creek Trail, beginning at its junction with NFS Trail 200 and ending at the Forest Service boundary; and NSF Trail 200, Dallas Trail, beginning at the Blue Lakes Trailhead and ending at its junction with NSF Trail 202.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to protect public safety during the Blue Lakes Trailhead reconstruction activity.
IMPLEMENTATION
1. This Order shall be in effect from June 2, 2025 at 7:00am through December 31, 2025 at 5:00pm, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area, Roads, and Trails is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For the digital web address of this Order and Exhibit A, please contact the Ouray Ranger District in Montrose CO, (970) 240-5300, or Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests Supervisor’s Office in Delta CO, (970) 874-6600.
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 Ouray Ranger District in Montrose CO, (970) 240-5300, and Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests Supervisor’s Office in Delta CO, (970) 874-6600, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in or on the same Described Area, Roads, and Trails.
Signed and issued on April 8, 2025 by Chad Stewart, Forest Supervisor with Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests.
Contact Name:
Julie Jackson / Ouray Ranger DistrictContact Number:
970-250-9498Contact Email:
julie.jackson@usda.govMaps
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