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Purgatory Ski Resort Area Vehicle Use Restrictions
From November 15 through April 30 annually, it is prohibited to use an over-snow vehicle (snowmobiles, timber sleds, and ski bikes) or mechanized vehicle that lacks a motor, such as a non-electric bicycle, on the Described Roads and Described Trails and OFF NFS roads in the Described Area. (See map below.)
This is to protect natural resources and public health and safety.
Alert Start Date: December 16, 2024
Alert End Date: December 31, 2027
Order Number: 02-13-08-24-07
Contact Information
Contact Name: Columbine Ranger District
Contact Number: (970) 884-2512
Associated Documents
Forest Order
Forest Order 02-13-08-24-07
U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
San Juan National Forest
Columbine Ranger District
Purgatory Ski Resort Area Vehicle Use Restrictions
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 (NFS) lands, roads, and trails in the Purgatory Ski Resort Special Use Permit area, in the Columbine Ranger District, San Juan National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area,” “Described Roads,” and “Described Trails”):
- From November 15 through April 30 annually, it is prohibited to use an over-snow vehicle or mechanized vehicle that lacks a motor, such as a non-electric bicycle, on the Described Roads and Described Trails. 36 C.F.R. §§ 261.54(a); 261.55(b). For the purpose of this Order, “over-snow vehicle” includes snowmobiles, timber sleds, and ski bikes.
- From November 15 through April 30 annually, it is prohibited to possess or use an over-snow vehicle or mechanized vehicle that lacks a motor, such as a non-electric bicycle, OFF NFS roads in the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.56. For the purpose of this Order, “over-snow vehicle” includes snowmobiles, timber sleds, and ski bikes.
EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
- 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).
- Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
- Employees of Purgatory Ski Resort in performance of official duty.
DESCRIBED AREA, ROADS, AND TRAILS
The Described Area is all NFS lands within the Purgatory Ski Resort Special Use Permit area located in:
Sections 14, 15, 21-28, Township 39 North, Range 9 West; New Mexico P.M.
The designated Winter Bypass Route, located within the Described Area (as depicted in Exhibit A), remains open to over-snow vehicle use and is only available during winter months.
The Described Roads are the segments of the following NFS Roads located within the Described Area: 578, 578.F, 579, 772 and 581.
The Described Trails are NFS Trail # 496 (Cutthroat Trail), located outside of the Described Area, and the following Purgatory permitted trails located within Described Area:
- 7th Heaven
- Brushrake Road Loop
- Diggler
- Divinity
- Goo Creek/Los Pinos
- Goo Creek/Paul’s Park
- Harris Park Loop
- Lift 8 Bypass
- Links V2
- Los Pinos
- Paul’s Park
- Paul’s Park/Los Pinos
- Pirate
- Shangri La
- World Champs XC
- World Cup Downhill.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety.
IMPLEMENTATION
- This Order shall be in effect from December 16, 2024, at 12:00 a.m. through December 31, 2027, at 11:59 p.m., unless rescinded.
- A map identifying the Described Area, Roads, 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 https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sanjuan/alerts-notices.
- 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.
- 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.
- Contact the Columbine Ranger District in Bayfield, Colorado, (970) 884-2512, and the San Juan National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Durango, Colorado, (970) 247-4874, for more information about this Order.
- This Order supersedes Order Number SJ-2019-07 prohibiting the same or similar acts in and on the same Described Area.
Signed and issued on: 12/15/2024
/s/ Dave Neely
Forest Supervisor
Maps
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