Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area Occupancy & Use

Associated Documents

Forest Order

White River and Gunnison National Forests 

Aspen, Sopris, and Gunnison Ranger Districts 

PROHIBITIONS 

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following are prohibited within the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness of the White River and Gunnison National Forests in the Aspen, Sopris, and Gunnison Ranger Districts, including in specific zones within the Wilderness, described below and shown on the attached maps incorporated into this Order as Exhibits A and B (the “Described Area” and “Permit Zones”): 

1. Camping: 

a. In a Permit Zone without a permit specifically authorizing such use or without a valid wilderness use required registration permit for each group or individual camping overnight in the Described Area outside of the Permit Zones; 

b. Within 100 feet of any lake, stream, or NFS Trail; 

c. Within ¼ mile of Conundrum Hot Springs, Copper Lake, Crater Lake, Geneva Lake, Capitol Lake, and Thomas Lakes, except at designated campsites identified by physical markings and/or designated campsite area maps. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e). 

2. Entering or being in the Described Area with more than 10 persons or 15 pack or saddle animals per group. 36 C.F.R. § 261.57(a). 

3. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire: 

a. Within 100 feet of any lake, stream, or NFS Trail;

b. Within ¼ mile of Crater Lake; or 

c. Above 10,800 ft. elevation, as shown on Exhibit A. 36 C.F.R.§ 261.52(a). 

4. Hitching, tethering or hobbling any pack or saddle animal: 

a. Within 100 feet of any lake, stream, or NFS Trail; or 

b. Within ¼ mile of Crater Lake, Conundrum Hot Springs, or Snowmass Lake. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(aa). 

5. Possessing a dog, except for working stock dogs or dogs used for legal hunting purposes, unless under physical restraint of a leash less than six feet in length. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(s). 

6. Possessing a dog within Conundrum Creek Valley from Silver Dollar Pond (2.25 miles North of Conundrum Hot Springs) to Triangle Pass (1.5 miles Southwest of Conundrum Hot Springs), including Conundrum Hot Springs. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(s). 

7. Possessing, storing, or transporting any plant material, such as hay or straw, unless it has been chemically or mechanically processed to destroy viable seeds (e.g., pelletized feed and rolled grains). 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(t). 

8. Possessing or using a wagon, cart, or other vehicle, including a wheelbarrow, bicycle or game cart. 36 C.F.R. § 261.57(h). 

9. Possessing or storing any food for human or animal consumption, refuse, or items that may have remnants or smell like food or refuse (including personal hygiene products, beverages, unburned food or garbage residue from fire pits or stoves, or empty food or beverage containers), unless these items are: 

a. Attended by a person who is within 100 feet of the items and has direct sight of the items during the daytime (½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset); 

b. Stored in bear-resistant container certified through the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee; 

c. Stored by other methods approved in a permit issued by the Forest Supervisor responsible for the area where the method is proposed for use; 

d. Stored more than 100 yards from any camp site if meat carcasses or game parts; or 

e. Being eaten, being prepared for eating, being transported, or being prepared for storage described in b-d. 36 CFR. § 261.58(cc). 

EXEMPTIONS 

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order: 

1. 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). 

2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting service in the performance of an official duty.  

DESCRIBED AREA AND PERMIT ZONES 

The Described Area is the entirety of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, located within the White River and Gunnison National Forests, Pitkin and Gunnison Counties, Colorado, including all NFS roads and trails within the Described Area. There are 9 Permit Zones within the Described Area, as shown in Exhibit B. 

PURPOSE 

The purpose of this Order is to mitigate the effects of high levels of use and to protect natural resources and wilderness character.

IMPLEMENTATION 

1. This Order shall be in effect from April 20, 2023 at 12:00 a.m. through April 19, 2028 at 11:59 p.m. unless rescinded. 

2. Maps identifying the Described Area and Permit Zones are attached and made part of this Order as Exhibits A and B. 

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 Aspen-Sopris Ranger District in Aspen, Colorado, (970) 925-3445, and White River National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Glenwood Springs, Colorado (970) 945-2521, for more information about this Order. 

6. This Order supersedes, replaces, and rescinds Orders WRNF/GMUG-2021-02 and WRNF-2021-03. 

Signed and issued on April 7, 2023

Scott Fitzwilliams

Forest Supervisor 

White River National Forest 

Signed and issued on April 7, 2023 

Chad Stewart 

Forest Supervisor

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests

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