BLM winter travel restrictions begin Dec. 15 in Grand and Jackson counties
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KREMMLING, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management will begin its annual winter restrictions on motorized travel in Grand and Jackson counties beginning Dec. 15, which continue through April 15 in most areas. The restrictions help reduce stress on wintering big game herds and prevent road damage.
“These annual winter closures are important to helping big game herds make it through the winter,” said BLM Kremmling Field Manager Bill Mills. “We appreciate the public’s support in following these restrictions and reporting any violations they see.”
The North Sand Hills Special Management Recreation Area in Jackson County is closed to motorized and mechanized vehicles, including snowmobiles, during this timeframe.
In the Wolford Mountain area in Grand County, which includes public lands between Highway 40 and Grand County Road 2 (Back Troublesome Road), motorized travel is limited to over-the-snow tracked vehicles on BLM administered lands along roads 224, 25, 26 and 2 when there is a minimum of 12 inches of snow.
All other travel routes and areas on BLM lands on Wolford Mountain will be closed to all motorized use. Non-motorized travel typically will be permitted throughout the area during winter travel restrictions. Changing conditions may cause the restrictions to be modified in the Wolford area, so check for restriction updates.
Maps are available at the Kremmling Field Office, 2103 E. Park Ave.; at information kiosks on County Road 224 near the former landfill, County Road 26 off of Highway 40, and County Road 227; and at the intersection of County Roads 22 and 25.
The seasonal restrictions are extended in two areas of Wolford Mountain to protect nesting raptors: the Wolford Mountain Single Track closure continues through May 31 and the Muddy Creek Trail north of the Muddy Creek fishing access bridge is closed until July 31.
Additionally, motorized travel is restricted on the following routes to over-the-snow tracked vehicles when there is a minimum of 12 inches of snow. The roads may be gated until there is sufficient snow.
December 15 - April 15:
• Inspiration Point Flats Road - north of Trough Road (County Road 1)
December 15 - June 1:
• Black Mountain Road - from County Road 2
• Sulphur Gulch Road - access from US Hwy 40
• Smith Mesa Road - north Parshall Divide Road between Hot Sulphur Springs and Parshall
• Kinney Creek Road - East of Hot Sulphur Springs and 2.2 miles north of US Hwy 40 (see below about possible logging operations). Please stage on BLM lands and do not block private driveways
• Hogback Road - from Hwy. 125
• Strawberry Road - beyond the Fraser River Canyon Trail parking area
• Hurd Peak Road - from intersection of Strawberry Road
Maps showing open travel routes are available on-line at https://www.blm.gov/programs/
Winter visitors should be aware of potential logging operations along McQueary Creek Road, Kinney Creek Road and Sheriff Creek Road in Grand County; and 3 Mile Creek Road on Independence Mountain in Jackson County.
To report violations or for further information regarding the Wolford Mountain area travel restrictions, please visit the Kremmling Field Office, 2103 E. Park Ave., or call 970-724-3000.
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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.