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A slow start to the snow season is leading to some problems on national forest roads.
Low-snow conditions creates problems on national forest roads and trails
By Summit Voice
SUMMIT COUNTY — A thin early season snowpack has led to some trouble on national forest lands, where drivers are getting stuck in the backcountry and damaging groomed trails, according to a press release from the White River National Forest.
The conditions require an extra dose of backcountry savvy, said White River forest spokesman Bill Kight, explaining that the agency has been getting reports of vehicles getting stuck in the backcountry.
Such behavior not only results in resource damage to roads and groomed snowmobile routes but often creates dangerous survival situations.
One hotspot for trouble has been in the Swan River Drainage, in Summit County, where drivers have been abusing winter trails groomed by Good times Adventures. It’s just one of the areas where forest roads, trails and areas are managed through local snowmobile clubs or outfitters.
The grooming clubs operate using volunteers, grant funding and donations to provide this public service. On the Dillon District, Good times Adventures provides guided snowmobile tours under special use permit on ten miles of roads that follow the three forks of the Swan River. This area is located east of the town of Breckenridge. Good Times grooms these routes that are open for the public.
Travel on groomed surfaces degrades the low snowpack by tracking gravel and debris as well as rutting the surface. Gravel absorbs heat and melts the packed surface quicker than normal. Ruts degrade snow surfaces that winter users need to enjoy their experience.
The White River National Forest and our Grooming partners ask the public to please respect our winter closures and restrictions of “No Wheeled Motorized Travel on the groomed routes.”
There are also roads on the forest that may not be groomed. It is not advised to drive them with wheeled vehicles when they are snowpacked. This results in degrading the experience for others such as snowmobilers, skiers, and snowshoers.
Weather and travel conditions in the mountains of Colorado can often change very quickly. Because of this, recreationists are urged to call for current conditions and status prior to leaving home and to pack for changing conditions.
Due to unseasonable conditions this winter we are asking forest visitors to be respectful of winter closures, groomed routes, and to avoid road damage. “Know before you go” by contacting your local ranger district:
Aspen and Sopris Ranger Districts – 970-925-3445 or 970-963-2266
Blanco Ranger District – 970-878-4039
Dillon Ranger District – 970-468-5400
Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District – 970-827-5715 or 970-328-6388
Rifle Ranger District – 970-625-2371
Also, for more information about winter recreation opportunities on the White River National Forest please consult the White River National Forest website.
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Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Dillon Ranger District, Snow and weather, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news, Summit County snow and weather, US Forest Service, White River National Forest Tagged: | Environment, Summit County Colorado, Summit County News, White River National Forest
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I presume the “drivers” are 4 – wheeling it? It seems that anywhere one can go off-roading, there are those who don’t follow the rules. They usually are young in age, as well as maturity, don’t care about others or the environment. Perhaps it might do those individuals to have their vehicles impounded for a year at their expense, along with having to re-groom/replace any damaged area of the environment. This might sound harsh, but it seems there is no other way to educate this kind of behavior.
Well I went out and bought that car cause they showed it doin all that cool stuff on the tv commercial so I’m gonna do it cause they can do it.
Please highlight this issue alittle more. The first mile or so on alot of roads has been a nightmare this fall/winter. The little snow we have is rutted out and torn up by car tires. Which has been killing the skiing. I really don’t understand it but then again I do. People wonder why more and more terrian is being shut down to motorized use.
Years ago some kid tried to drive his out of state jeep up my road one may. Well sure enough he got stuck and it sat there for a week before he could get it out. I laughed everyday that I walked by it on my way home.
[...] In other news, driving on groomed trails is getting to be a problem this season: Forest Service warns against winter trail abuse [...]