DURANGO, Colo. - The Bureau of Land Management reminds the public that trail closures protecting wildlife winter range surrounding Durango will remain in place through Apr. 15.
These closures include Big Canyon and Sale Barn trailheads, South Rim trail (including portions of Sidewinder and Cowboy trail), Grandview BLM trails, BLM lands above the lower loop trail near Animas City Mountain, all upper trails in the Twin Buttes Wildlife Area, Bodo State Wildlife Area (except the Smelter Mountain Trail that is open daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and Perrins State Wildlife Area (extended closure area through July 31).
“With the weather warming up, it’s tempting to hike the trails," said Connie Clementson, BLM Tres Rios Field Manager. “We appreciate the public’s willingness to find other options to enjoy the outdoors. Big game herds can detect even the slightest human created disturbance causing them to use energy stores that are exceptionally low this time of year."
For more information about the trail closures in the Durango area, go to www.trails2000.org or call the San Juan Public Lands Center at 970-247-4874. Violating the closures can result in a citation with a $275 fine.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management