Spring Creek Trail and Area Closure

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

Pike-San Isabel National Forests &

Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands

San Carlos Ranger District

Spring Creek Trail and Area Closure

 

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following are  prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and trails near the Spring Creek Trailhead on the San Carlos Ranger District, Pike-San Isabel National Forest & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area and Described Trails”):

1. Going into or being upon Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53 (e).

EXEMPTIONS

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

1. Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
3. Designated contractor and associated personnel who are conducting the mastication work. 
4. Personnel with the Colorado State Forest Service who are overseeing the contract.
5. 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 AND TRAILS

The Described Area is in Sections 4, 5, 6, 8 & 9, Township 31 South, Range 69 West. 6th P.M., Huerfano County, Colorado, near the community of Cuchara. The Described Area is all NFS lands within ¼ mile either side from the center of NFS Trail (NFST) 1302 beginning at the Spring Creek Trailhead until its junction with NFST 1300.A. 

The Described Trails are the portion of NFST 1302 within the Described Area that begins at the Spring Creek Trailhead off Highway 12 and ends at NFST 1302’s junction with NFST 1300.A, as well as the entirety of NFST 1302.C, and a segment of NFST 1301 that is ¼ mile in length south of the intersection of where NFST 1301 intersects with NFST 1302. 

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety while fuels reduction work utilizing heavy equipment is occurring. 

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from May 8, 2026, at 12:01AM through June 7, 2026, at 11:59PM, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area 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 the alerts webpage.
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 Canon City, CO, (719) 269-8530, and Pike-San Isabel National Forest & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Supervisor’s Office in Pueblo, CO (719) 553-1400, for more information about this Order. 
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area or on the same Described Trails. 

Signed and issued on May 8, 2026.

/s/

Ryan Nehl

Forest and Grassland Supervisor

Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands