Trinchera Road and Vicinity Closure Order

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

Pike-San Isabel National Forests &

Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands

San Carlos Ranger District

Trinchera Road 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, trails and roads on the San Carlos Ranger District, 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 (the “Described Area and Road”):

1. Going into or being upon the Described Area which is closed for the protection of public health or safety. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e).
2. Being on the Described Road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).
3. Being on the Described Trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).

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 resource in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED Area and Road

The Described Road is the entirety of NFS Road 436 (Trinchera Road). The Described Road is located in Huerfano County, Colorado and in the following: Section 30, Township 31S, Range 69W, 6th P.M.; Section 31, Township 31S, Range 69W, 6th P.M.; Section 36, Township 31S, Range 70W, 6th P.M.; Section 6, Township 32S, Range 69W, 6th P.M.; Section 1, Township 32S, Range 70W, 6th P.M.

The Described Area is ¼ mile on each side from the center of the Described Road, and is located in Huerfano, Las Animas, and Costilla Counties. 

The Described Trail is the northern-most mile of National Forest System Trail 1309 (North Fork Trail).  The Described Trail is located in Huerfano and Las Animas Counties in Section 31, Township 31S, Range 69W, 6th P.M; and Section 32, Township 31S, Range 69W, 6th P.M.   

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety by prohibiting entry into the associated road and surrounding area while logging operations are underway. 

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from August 14, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. through June 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m., unless rescinded earlier.
2. A map identifying the Described Area and Road 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 San Carlos Ranger District in Canon City, CO, (719) 269-8500, and Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Supervisor’s Office in Pueblo, CO (719) 553-1400, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes Order 02-12-03-24-25 prohibiting the same or similar acts on the same Described Road. 

Signed and issued on 7/23/2025.

/s/ Ryan Nehl

Forest and Grassland Supervisor

Pike-San Isabel National Forests &

Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands