Greenhorn Mountain Wilderness and Spanish Peaks Wilderness Occupancy and Use Restrictions

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service  

Pike-San Isabel National Forests &  

Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands 

 San Carlos Ranger District

OCCUPANCY AND USE

PROHIBITIONS 

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551, and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), the following are prohibited on National Forest System lands within the Greenhorn Mountain Wilderness and Spanish Peaks Wilderness located on the San Carlos Ranger District, Pike-San Isabel National Forest & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, described below and shown on the attached maps incorporated into this Order as Exhibits A and B (the “Described Area and Trails”). 

1. Entering or being in the Described Area with a group of more than 15 people, or with a group of people and livestock consisting of a combined total of more than 25. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(f) 
2. Camping in the Described Area within one hundred (100) feet of any stream, except for sites specifically signed and authorized for camping. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e) 
3. Building, maintaining, or using a campfire within one hundred (100) feet of any stream. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a) 
4. Hitching, tethering, hobbling, or grazing any pack or saddle animal within one hundred (100) feet of any stream in the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(aa) 
5. Possessing a dog or other animal in the Described Area, which is not under control. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(s)        

NOTE: the term “under control” is defined as the dog being leashed, and/or under direct verbal control of the dog’s handler at all times.  

6. Shortcutting a switchback in a trail in the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(e)        
7. Possessing or using a wagon, cart, or other vehicle in the Described Area, except persons with wheelchairs as a necessary medical appliance. 36 C.F.R. § 261.57(h)    

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 AREAS AND TRAILS  

The Described Areas are all NFS lands within the boundaries of (1) the Greenhorn Mountain Wilderness, located in the Wet Mountains, in the San Carlos Ranger District in Pueblo and Huerfano Counties, Colorado (as depicted in Exhibit A); and (2) the Spanish Peaks Wilderness, located in the San Carlos Ranger District in Huerfano and Las Animas Counties, Colorado. 

The described trails are all NFS trails located in the Greenhorn Mountain and Spanish Peaks Wilderness Areas. Greenhorn Wilderness Area trails: FST 1310 Bartlett, FST 1311 South Apache, FST 1313 Santana Trail, FST 1316 Greenhorn, and FST 1367 Apache Falls. Spanish Peaks Wilderness Area trails: FST 1304 Wahatoya, FST 1324 Apishapa, FST 1390 West Peak, FST 1392 Schafer, and FST 1392 Levi Krier. 

PURPOSE 

The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources. 

IMPLEMENTATION 

1. This Order shall be in effect from May 18, 2024 at 12:01 am through May 18, 2027 at 11:59 pm, unless rescinded.    
2. Maps identifying the Described Areas and Trails are attached and made part of this Order as Exhibits A and B. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibits A and B, go to Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands - Alerts & Closures (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 San Carlos Ranger District in Cañon City, CO at (719) 267-8500 or the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche Grasslands Supervisor’s Office in Pueblo, CO at (719) 553-1400 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 Areas and Trails. 

 
Signed and issued on May 17, 2024. 

/s/ Ryan Nehl 

Forest and Grassland Supervisor 

Pike-San Isabel National Forest & 

Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands