Burnt Mountain Closes April 25th
Respect wildlife. Respect seasonal closures.
The area stretching between West Buttermilk and the Snowmass Ski Area, known as Burnt Mountain, is one of only two spots in the roughly 2.2 million-acre White River National Forest where human access is off-limits for just one critical reason – elk calving.
Elk return to this area each year to find the water, lush forage, sunshine and seclusion they need to survive, give birth and nurse their young without being startled and disrupted. The annual trail closures begin April 25 with the Tom Blake Trail, Sequel Trail and other trails in the Elk Camp/Two Creeks vicinity closed to use through June 20. Anaerobic Nightmare and the lands surrounding it are closed April 25 through June 27. The closure of the Government Trail and Sugarbowl area was extended by a week starting last year; the closure begins May 15 and continues through June 27.
The added week of the closure on the Government Trail and Sugarbowl area came at the suggestion of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, which is in the midst of a 6-year study of elk calf survival rates and is also studying the impact of recreation on elk. Pitkin County Open Space and Trails helped fund the first two years of the calf study. It’s possible the study results will lead to a recommendation to further adjust the closure dates.
Key Dates:
- Tom Blake Trail, Sequel Trail and other trails in the Elk Camp and Two Creeks vicinity are closed April 25 through June 20. These trails and the surrounding area open June 21.
- Anaerobic Nightmare Trail is closed April 25 through June 27. This trail and the surrounding area open June 28.
- Government Trail No. 1980 and Sugarbowl Trail are now closed May 15 through June 27. These trails and the surrounding area open June 28.
The south portion of the Rim Trail, Highline, and Lowline trails are open year-round. Sky Mountain Park, including Seven Star Trail and the North Rim Trail, all open May 16.
Trail Conditions & Closures...