Forest Service reduces Gold Mountain and Elk Fire closure areas

The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests have reduced previously established closure areas associated with the Gold Mountain and Elk wildfires. Updated closure boundaries went into effect August 24 at 5 p.m. and remain in place through Dec. 1, unless conditions allow an earlier adjustment.

The reductions reopen several popular destinations while still restricting access where fire activity and firefighter operations require additional space.

Western Area (Gold Mountain Fire) - The western closure area is located east of U.S. Highway 550 in Ouray County. This area includes National Forest lands near Dexter Creek, Horse Thief Trail and portions of the Uncompahgre Wilderness. Roads, trails and recreation sites in the Silver Jack, Cimarron and Cow Creek drainages remain closed while firefighters continue work on the Gold Mountain Fire. See closure order for full detailed boundary description and map.

Eastern Area (Elk Fire) - The eastern closure area, associated with the Elk Fire, is located west of State Highway 149 and includes National Forest System lands around Big Blue Creek as well as portions of the Ridgestock Driveway and Uncompahgre Peak trail. Several high‑use destinations in this region are now open, including Nellie Creek Road and the Nellie Creek Trailhead, the Uncompahgre Peak Trail and Uncompahgre Peak itself, as well as Wetterhorn Peak, the Wetterhorn Peak Trail and Matterhorn Peak. These locations are accessible from the south and east and are outside the adjusted closure footprint. See closure order for full detailed boundary description and map.

Several recreation sites remain closed under the updated order, including Beaver Lake Campground and Fishing Site, Big Cimarron Campground, Cimarron Forks Camping Area, Clear Lake/Rowdy Lake Trailhead, Courthouse Trailhead, Dexter Creek Trailhead, East Fork Trailhead and East Fork dispersed camping, Independence Trailhead, Jackson Lookout/Cabin, the Middle Fork Cimarron dispersed camping area, Owl Creek Pass dispersed camping, Owl Creek Vista Trailhead, Silver Jack boating, camping and picnic sites, Vista Point Trailhead, West Fork Trailhead and the West Fork Cimarron dispersed camping area. For full list of roads, trails and recreation sites, please see full closure order here.

The GMUG National Forests are currently under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions.



              ************************************************************************************

Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

• Ramble On: A History of Hiking

On this date in hiking history: The Three Musketeers complete the Long Trail

The following is an excerpt from Ramble On: A History of Hiking.

Accounts of Green Mountain Club outings throughout its first several decades show that women participated in tramps as often as men. This included thru-hikes of the Long Trail in Vermont, which was completed in 1930 as the first long-distance footpath in the United States. Though the final 10-mile segment leading to the Canadian border was only a blazed route at the time, Kathleen Norris, Hilda Kurth and Catherine Robbins became the second group of trampers to thru-hike the entire 272-mile trail in 1927. It took 32 days for the “Three Musketeers,” as they affectionately became known as, to complete their extended trek. During the trip, the three young ladies became media sensations, as newspapers across America covered their story. Their feat would inspire many other females to become “end-to-enders” in the years that followed.

The Three Musketeers: When they needed a rest they would pull out a ukulele and sing college prep songs until they were re-energized:

                *******************************************************************************

Virtually no one went hiking before the 19th century. What occurred that inspired ordinary people to take a walk through the woods for pleasure? Ramble On: A History of Hiking explores the rich history of hiking, and how it evolved into one of the most popular pastimes in the world.

Dallas Trailhead Area closed to public during construction work

The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests’ Ouray Ranger District will temporarily close National Forest System lands in the immediate vicinity of Dallas Trailhead on County Road 17 beginning Aug. 24 at 9 a.m. to ensure public safety during a Ouray County construction project.

The closure is necessary while crews operate heavy equipment in the vicinity of the trailhead as part of a Federal Emergency Management Agency hazard‑mitigation grant aimed at reducing recurring flooding on Corbett Creek at County Road 17.

A full closure details and a detailed map can be found here.

The closure will remain in effect from Aug. 24 at 9 a.m. through Nov. 1 unless the order is rescinded earlier. During this period, visitors should plan ahead, avoid the described area, and use alternate trail access points.

The Forest Service appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation as partners complete this important safety‑driven mitigation work.

For more information, contact the Ouray Ranger District in Montrose at 970‑240‑5300.



              ************************************************************************************

Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

• Ramble On: A History of Hiking

Intro to 14er Gear: The 10 Essential Systems

In this Colorado Fourteeners Initiative video, Justin from the Denver REI Flagship store provides an overview of the first nine essential systems: navigation, nutrition, hydration, illumination, sun protection, first aid supplies, fire starters, repair kits and emergency shelter. It's a good (refresher?) course for anyone heading out on the trail, especially if you're planning to try a fourteener:





              ************************************************************************************

Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

• Ramble On: A History of Hiking

On this date in hiking history: William O. Douglas begins his 22-mile hike to protest an extension of Highway 101

On this date in 1958, U.S. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas led a 22-mile trek along the Olympic coast in Washington, just west of Olympic National Park, to protest a proposed extension of Highway 101. This backpacking trip along the rugged coast took three days to complete, but was successful in accomplishing the goal of the roughly 70 participants.

Here’s a pretty cool documentary film of Douglas’s historic hike – both for its historical significance, and the scenery:





                *******************************************************************************

Virtually no one went hiking before the 19th century. What occurred that inspired ordinary people to take a walk through the woods for pleasure? Ramble On: A History of Hiking explores the rich history of hiking, and how it evolved into one of the most popular pastimes in the world.