Grizzly Creek Canyon Area and Trail Closure

Associated Documents

Forest Order

PROHIBITIONS 

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and trails in the Rifle and Eagle Holy Cross Ranger Districts, White River National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (“Described Area” and “Described Trails”): 

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

2. Being on the Described Trails. 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. Any federal, state, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty. 

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. Contractor and subcontractor personnel performing fire restoration and trail repair and reconstruction on behalf of the Forest Service. 

DESCRIBED AREA AND TRAILS 

The Described Trails and Area are in Garfield County, Colorado, and Township 5 South, Range 88 West, and Township 6 South, Range 88 West, 6th P.M. 

Described Trails: The portion of Grizzly Creek Trail, NFS Trail (NFST) #2065, beginning at milepost 0.3 and ending at its junction with the Jess Weaver Trail, NFST #1847; and (2) the portion of the Jess Weaver Trail, NFST #1847 beginning at its junction with the Grizzly Creek Trail at milepost 2.8 and ending at milepost 3.5. 

Described Area: The described area includes the following shown on Exhibit A. 

• NFS lands beginning 0.3 miles north from the Grizzly Creek Trailhead and including the Jess Weaver Trail between milepost 2.8 and 3.5 which are in Section 5, Township 6 South, Range 88 West, 6th P.M., and Sections 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and 34, Township 5 South, Range 88 West, 6th P.M. 

PURPOSE 

The purpose of this Order is to protect public safety due to trail and resource damage in the area affected by the Grizzly Fire until completion of planned trail restoration work.

 IMPLEMENTATION 

1. This Order shall be in effect from January 1, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. through December 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m., unless rescinded. 

2. A map identifying the Described Area and Trails is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A.

 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 Rifle Ranger District in Rifle, CO (970) 625-2371, Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District in Minturn, CO (970) 827-5715, or the White River National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Glenwood Springs, CO (970) 945-2521 for more information about this Order. 

6. This Order supersedes Order #WRNF 2024-14.

Signed and issued on December 11, 2024

Scott Fitzwilliams
Forest Supervisor
White River National Forest

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