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.

Trail Conditions & Closures...

Bears are out

BEARS and BIRDFEEDERS
 
Both SEED and HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS are MAJOR bear attractants. Year after year, bird feeders lure bears directly to the windows of local homes. If a bear enters your home, the probability of its survival dramatically decreases, and you could be seriously injured. Bears CAN & DO climb onto decks. Birdhouses without seeds are a good alternative. You may only feed birds in the winter by local ordinances and remove bird feeders in the spring when abundant natural forage is available. Hummingbird feeders are like hitting a honey hive for a bear. If you insist on having a hummingbird feeder in the summer, use Bear-Proof Poles. Sturdy poles 10-12 feet high can keep bears away from feeders. The poles should be securely cemented so they cannot be tipped over, and metal poles are best to discourage climbing.

String Feeders on Wires. Bird feeders can easily be strung on thin wires between two poles or trees, using a pulley to raise and lower the feeders for cleaning and refilling. Bears cannot climb thin wires, but the feeders should still be 10-12 feet high and at least 5-6 feet away from any tree a bear could climb.

We appreciate your help. Snowmass Village Animal Services

Please call if you have questions or refer to the website for more information:
970-923-5330 

Micro Hydro Turbine is up and running.

“In partnership with the Snowmass Water and Sanitation District, the Town of Snowmass Village is proud to unveil its new micro hydro turbine. This turbine will produce electricity using the flow of water in the already existing water line. Thus creating zero-emission electricity without disrupting the natural habitat. According to Town employee and project liaison Sam Guarino “This project represents another small but concrete step towards reaching the Town’s lofty emission reduction goals.” A big shout out to former Assistant Town Manager Travis Elliott for years of hard work towards making this turbine a reality.”