Spring is gradually coming to national forest lands in the Dolores Public Lands area, and as quickly as roads dry out enough to support vehicle traffic, forest officials are swinging gates open. A majority of high elevation forest roads, however, will temporarily remain closed to full-sized motorized wheeled vehicles until roads dry out enough to protect road surfaces and for public safety.
Although a road may appear dry at its closure gate, as it gains elevation or makes a turn onto a north-facing slope, conditions can change dramatically, according to a statement from the Dolores Public Lands Office. Gates are not opened until all or most of the road can be used without traffic causing unacceptable damage, such as rutting, to the road surface. In some cases, however, off-highway vehicles, such as dirt bikes and ATVs, may be allowed provided they are 50 inches in width or less, and the road is not located in a seasonal wildlife closure area (consult San Juan National Forest map or Mancos-Cortez Travel map for specific areas). All U.S. Forest Service roads are always open to nonmotorized uses, including bicycling, hiking, and horseback riding. When parking, do not block gates.
As with all areas on the national forests, damaging a road is always prohibited. When opened, some roads might be snow-covered or muddy at various points. People are asked to drive only as far as able without causing ruts.
In spring, areas next to the road might still be deeply wet, which can result in a substantially stuck vehicle and damage to soils, wetlands and vegetation. The forest services asks drivers not leave road surfaces where the ground is wet. Check it before you drive it. Mud-bogging or driving in wet areas on or off roads, in meadows and along stream courses is an illegal activity that is extremely damaging to soils, wetlands and vegetation. Violators face federal fines.
As of Monday, the following roads on the Dolores Public Lands are open: Bean Canyon Road, also known as Forest Road 257; Dolores-Norwood Road, Roads 526, 526L, 526A and 526G; Lower Boggy Road, Road 258; Upper and Lower House Creek Roads, Road 528; Ormiston Point Road, Road 521; Boggy Draw Road, Road 527; Lower Boggy, Road 258; Beaver Rim Road, Roads 529, 529D, 529G and 529F; Lone Dome Road, Road 504 (from Ferris Campground to McPhee dam); and Ryman Creek Road, Road 204 (lower gate).
The following campgrounds are open: McPhee, one loop, no water available, half price $7.50, boat ramp open, no docks; Bradfield, no water available, half price; Ferris Canyon, no water available, half price $5; House Creek, no services, boat ramp open, no docks, one loop, no water available, half price $7.50.
Springtime is when the Dolores Public Lands Office conducts prescribed burns. For more information on road conditions, campground status and burn locations, contact the DPLO at 882-7296 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or check online at www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan.