Aspen RD Seasonal Area and Trail Closures and Dog Restricitions

Associated Documents

Forest Order

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 in the Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit 1 (the “Described Areas and Trails”):

1. Going into or being upon Area A from April 25 through June 20, Area B from April 25 through June 27, and Area C from May 15 through June 27. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(b); 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a)
2. Possessing a dog, except working stock dogs or dogs used for legal hunting purposes, within the Described Areas. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(s)
    

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

1. Persons with a Forest Service special use authorization for an electric transmission line, an oil or gas pipeline, communications site, or any other non-recreation special use.
2. 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).
3. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
    

DESCRIBED AREAS AND TRAILS
The Described Areas include the NFS lands identified on the attached map (Exhibit 1 to this Order) as Areas A, B, and C, as well as all NFS Trails within those Described Areas:
Order Number: # 2025-12

1. Area A: NFS lands in East ½ of Section 12, Township 10 South, Range 86 West, 6th P.M., and within the following boundaries: beginning at Elk Camp, Snowmass Ski Area north immediately east of Powerline Trail to the NFS Boundary, then east to immediately east of Tom Blake Trail and Sequel Trail, then east immediately north of Government Trail (NFST 1980) and ending east of the Powerline Trail. Area A includes Sequel Trail, all trails between Sequel and Powerline Trail, Sequel Connector, Tom Blake Trail, and the Tom Blake Equestrian Trail.
2. Area B: NFS lands in North ½ of Section 7 and west ½ of Section 8, Township 10 South, Range 85 West 6th P.M., and within the following boundaries: beginning east of Sequel Trail from the Two Creeks lift line northeast to the NFS Boundary extending to the middle of Section 8. The southern boundary of Area B is immediately north of Government Trail extending west to immediately east of Sequel Trail. Area B includes Anaerobic Nightmare Trail (NFST 1980.1).
3. Area C: NFS lands east of Elk Camp and winter trails on Snowmass Ski Area extending to West Buttermilk Ski Area, and within the following boundaries: beginning southwest of Burnt Mountain east along the watershed divide and ending near the top terminal of West Buttermilk Express in portions of Sections 7, 8, 16, 17, and 18, Township 10 South, Range 85 West, 6th P.M. Area C includes Government Trail (NFST 1980), Sugarbowl Trail (NFST 1980.3), and Vista Hiking Trail.
    

PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to prevent disturbance to elk during calving season.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from March 10, 2025 at 000 hours through August 1, 2029 at 000 hours unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Areas and Trails is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit 1. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit 1, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts/aspen-rd-seasonal-area-and-trail-closures-and-dog-restictions/
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.
   Order Number: # 2025-12
5. Contact the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District in Carbondale, CO, (970) 963-2266, and White River National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Glenwood Springs, CO, (970) 945-2521, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Areas.

Signed and issued on March 11, 2025

Scott Fitzwilliams
Forest Supervisor
White River National Forest

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