Mount Massive Wilderness Occupancy and Use Restrictions

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

PIKE-SAN ISABEL NATIONAL FORESTS & CIMARRON AND COMANCHE NATIONAL GRASSLANDS 

Leadville Ranger District 

OCCUPANCY AND USE REGULATIONS 

MOUNT MASSIVE WILDERNESS 
 

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited within the Mount Massive Wilderness on the Leadville Ranger District of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (“Described Area”). 

PROHIBITIONS: 

1. Entering or being in the Described Area with more than 15 people per group, or a maximum combination of 25 people and pack or saddle animals in any one group. 36 C.F.R. §261.58(f). 
2. Possessing dogs in the Described Area, except for, working stock dogs, or dogs used for legal hunting purposes, unless under physical restraint of a leash. 36 C.F.R. §261.58 (s). 
3. Camping within one hundred (100) feet of lakes, streams, and National Forest System Trails in the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. §261.58(e).  
4. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a campfire within one hundred (100) feet of any lake, stream, National Forest System Trail or above 11,000 feet in elevation in the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. §261.52(a) 
5. Hitching, tethering, or hobbling a horse or other saddle or pack animal within one hundred (100) feet of any lake, stream, or National Forest System Trail in the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. §261.58(aa).  
6. Shortcutting a switchback in a trail. 36 C.F.R. §261.55(e). 
7. Possessing, storing, or transporting any plant material, such as hay straw. 36 C.F.R. §261.58(t). Exceptions are allowed for livestock feed that has been processed through chemical or mechanical means in a manner that will destroy viable seeds. Examples of allowed materials include pelletized feed and rolled grains. 
8. Storing equipment, personal property, or supplies for longer than 72 hours. 36 C.F.R. §261.57 (f).   
9. Not covering pit toilets before vacating the area and depositing any human wasted within one hundred (100) feet of springs, lakes, or streams.  36 C.F.R. §261.57(g). 
10. Failing to pack all refuse out of the restricted area and depositing at places designated for garbage disposal.  36 C.F.R. §261.57(g). 
11. Possessing or using a bicycle, wagon, cart, or other vehicle, including a wheelbarrow or game cart.  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. Persons with a 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 force in the performance of an official duty. 

DESCRIBED AREA 

The Described Area is all NFS lands within the boundary of the Mount Massive Wilderness (as shown in Exhibit A) located in Lake County, Colorado, in the Leadville Ranger District of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands.  

PURPOSE 

The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources and wilderness character. 

IMPLEMENTATION 

1. This Order shall be in effect from July, 31, 2024 at 12:01 a.m. through December, 31, 2027 at 11:59 p.m., unless rescinded. 
2. A map identifying the Described Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/psicc/alerts-notices. 
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 Leadville Ranger District in Leadville, Colorado, (719) 486-0749, and Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Supervisor’s Office in Pueblo, Colorado, (719) 553-1400, for more information about this Order.  
6. This Order supersedes Order 1996-10 prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area. 

/s/ James Pitts 

Acting Forest and Grassland Supervisor 

Pike-San Isabel National Forests &  

Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands