By Bob Berwyn - Summit County Voice
Frisco, Colo. - The White River National Forest has
started enforcing new winter motorized travel rules on the Dillon Ranger
District, including the closure of some areas that were previously open to
snowmobiles.
The winter travel maps are available at the Dillon Ranger
District visitor center in Silverthorne and also online at this Forest Service web page. Dillon District
winter rangers will be educating the public about the new changes, checking
snowmobile registrations, and responding to snowmobiles in closed areas.
Anyone observing snowmobiles in closed areas is encouraged to record detailed
information and report it to the Dillon Ranger District at 970-468-5400.
Motorized users are responsible for obtaining a map to
determine where they can ride. "NO SNOWMOBLE" signs will not be posted
except in key areas. More information is available on the White
River National Forest recreation web page.
Areas are completely closed to motorized use, including Mount Baldy,
Miners Creek, Indiana Gulch, Pennsylvania Gulch, Spruce Creek, Frey Gulch, and
Peru Creek.
"There are some new areas that require winter motorized
travel to stay on designated routes where it had been unrestricted in the
past," said Ken Waugh, recreation staff officer for the Dillon Ranger District.
The areas that are open to motorized over-snow use on
designated routes only are: Golden Horseshoe (east of Breckenridge),
Saints John (west of road) and the three forks of the Swan River
drainage. Motorized travel is restricted to designated routes in these
areas in order to minimize user conflicts and/or to protect wildlife habitat.
Areas where motorized over-snow use is permitted without
restriction are the Spring Creek area and the area east of Montezuma
which includes Webster Pass, Deer Creek, Saints John (east of road),
Radical Hill, and Sheep Mountain. The Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area will
continue to provide snowmobile opportunities through a fee permit system.
The new travel rules were adopted under the White River National Forest travel management plan,
completed in March 2011. The winter season runs from Nov. 23 through May
20. Winter travel on foot, snowshoes, and cross country skis is not
limited to designated routes or prohibited in any area, unless otherwise
posted.
The Spring Creek area will be groomed this year through a
partnership with the High Country Snowmobile Club. The club obtained grants from
the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department to
purchase a groomer and to start up a trail grooming program. Club members
will volunteer to operate the equipment and provide a groomed trail surface on
15 miles of designated routes in the area.
The HCSC will also help with signing the Eagles Nest Wilderness
boundary and with educating the public about not entering that area on
snowmobiles.
"We are looking forward to the improved signage at the
wilderness boundary and helping to educate snowmobilers about the boundary.
These efforts will help to ensure snowmobilers can continue to enjoy the Spring
Creek area," said club president Rich Holcroft.
You can view the story and maps here: http://summitcountyvoice.com/2013/01/03/colorado-new-snowmobile-rules-on-national-forest-lands/