Eldorado National Forest dirt roads will remain closed

Eldorado National Forest dirt roads and trails will remain closed to motorized use until April 30 unless conditions improved significantly before that date, Forest Supervisor Ramiro Villalvazo said Monday.

The routes are closed to prevent damage to roadbeds, protect water quality, and prevent erosion.

"This year's storms have continued to roll in making the exact opening date for the routes somewhat elusive," said Villalvazo. "I know people are anxious to enjoy their national forest and to travel the dirt roads and trails. I will open the routes as soon as conditions are favorable, which may be before April 30."

The Forest Service evaluates current soil conditions and monitors weather forecasts to predict road and trail opening dates. The sampling and evaluation methods are posted on the Eldorado National Forest web site at www.fs.fed.us/r5/eldorado.

Forest visitors are encouraged to look at the Eldorado National Forest Web site and to contact the nearest Ranger Station for the latest road and trail conditions. Routes that are affected by the seasonal closure and those that will be reopened to motorized travel are identified on a free-of-charge motor vehicle travel map, now available at all Eldorado National Forest offices.

The seasonal closure does not affect routes in the Rock Creek Area of the National Forest near Georgetown, which are managed under different closure criteria.