Holy Cross Wilderness Prohibitions

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 and trails within the Holy Cross Wilderness in the Eagle-Holy Cross and Aspen-Sopris Ranger Districts of the White River National Forest and the Leadville Ranger District of the San Isabel National Forest, described below and shown on the attached maps incorporated into this Order as Exhibits A, B, and C (the “Described Areas” and “Described Trails”): 

1. Entering or being in the Holy Cross Wilderness with more than 15 people per group and a maximum combination of 25 people and pack or saddle animals in any one group. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(f). 

2. Being in the Holy Cross Wilderness t without a valid wilderness use permit for each group or individual camping. 36 C.F.R. § 261.57(a). 

3. Camping within 100 feet of any lake, stream, NFS trail, or any "No Camping" or "Wilderness Restoration Site" sign. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e). 

4. Camping inside the Notch Mountain Shelter or within a ¼ mile on either side of the Mount of the Holy Cross Trail (FDT 2009) within the East Cross Creek Watershed, except in marked designated sites as shown on Exhibit B. 36 C.F.R. §261.58(e). 

5. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a campfire within 100 feet of any lake, stream, or NFS trail or above 11,000 feet. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a). 

6. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a campfire within the Missouri Lakes and Fancy Creek Watershed or East Cross Creek Watershed. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a). 

7. Hitching, tethering, or hobbling any pack or saddle animal within 100 feet of any lake, stream, or NFS trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(aa). 

8. Possessing a dog, except for working stock dogs or dogs used for legal hunting purposes, which is not under physical control of a leash 6 feet or less in length. 36 CFR § 261.58(s). 

9. Possessing, storing, or transporting any plant material, such as hay or straw, Order Number: # 2023-05 unless it is livestock feed processed in a manner that destroys viable seeds, such as pelletized feed and rolled grains. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(t). 

10.Possessing or using a wagon, cart or other vehicle, including a wheelbarrow or game cart. 36 C.F.R.§ 261.57(h). 

11.Shortcutting a switchback in the trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(e). 

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 AREAS AND TRAILS 
The Holy Cross Wilderness (Exhibit A) is located in Eagle, Pitkin, and Lake Counties, Colorado, in the Eagle-Holy Cross and Aspen-Sopris Ranger Districts of the White River National Forest and the Leadville Ranger District of the San Isabel National Forest. The Described Trails are all NFS trails within the Holy Cross Wilderness. 

The Described Areas also include the following specific areas within the Holy Cross Wilderness: 

• Notch Mountain Shelter – located at the terminus of NFS trail 2000 (Exhibit A)
• Missouri Lakes Watershed located within Sections 35 and 36, Township 7 South, Range 82 West, and Sections 1 and 2, Township 8 South, Range 82 West, 6th Principal Meridian, Colorado (Exhibit C)
• Fancy Creek Watershed located within Section 30, Township 7 South, Range 82 West, and Section 25, Township 7 South, Range 82 West, 6th Principal Meridian, Colorado- (Exhibit C)
• East Cross Creek Watershed located within Sections 29 and 32, Township 6 South, Range 81 West, 6th Principal Meridian, Colorado (Exhibit B) Order Number: # 2023-05

PURPOSE 

The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources and wilderness character by managing recreational use within the Holy Cross Wilderness. 

IMPLEMENTATION 

1. This Order shall be in effect from May 1, 2023, at 12 AM through May 1, 2028, at 12 AM, unless rescinded. 

2. Maps identifying the Described Areas are attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A, B, and C.  

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 Holy-Cross Ranger District in Minturn, CO, (970) 827-5715, 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 area.

Done in Glenwood Springs, Colorado April 5, 2023

Scott G. Fitzwilliams
Forest Supervisor
White River National Forest

Diana Trujillo
Forest and Grassland Supervisor
Pike and San Isabel National Forests,
Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands

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