McPhee Overlook Trail Seasonal Closure

 Forest Order 02-13-05-24-11

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service 
San Juan National Forest 
Dolores Ranger District 
Trail Closure 
 

PROHIBITIONS 

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(b), the following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) trail in the Dolores Ranger District, San Juan National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Trail”): 

1. Being on the Described Trail from December 1st to April 15th annually. 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 force in the performance of an official duty. 

DESCRIBED TRAIL 

The Described Trail is the portion of the McPhee Overlook Trail #155 beginning at the Forest Service boundary in Section 9, Township 37 North, Range 15 West, 6th P.M., and ending at May Canyon in Section 8, Township 37 North, Range 15 West, 6th P.M.  

PURPOSE 

The purpose of this Order is to protect critical winter wildlife habitat. 

IMPLEMENTATION 

1. This Order shall be in effect from December 1, 2024, at 5:00 PM through December 1, 2029, at 5:00 PM, unless rescinded. 
2. A map identifying the Described Trail 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/sanjuan/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 Dolores Ranger District in Dolores, Colorado, (970) 882-7296 and the San Juan National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Durango, Colorado, (970) 247-4874, for more information about this Order.  

Signed and issued on: 12/4/2024
/s/ Dave Neely
Forest Supervisor