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Bureau of Land Management properties in Roaring Fork Valley close Thursday for winter

Staff report

The annual winter closures to motorized and mechanized vehicles will go into effect Thursday at numerous properties in the Roaring Fork Valley overseen by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

The closures affect lands in Pitkin, Eagle and Garfield counties. They are made to protect critical big-game winter range and to prevent road damage. Gate closures are in effect from today to April 15 in all three counties.

The closures in the Roaring Fork Valley include:



The south portion of Basalt Mountain.

The Fisher Creek-Cattle Creek area north of Carbondale.




Light Hill between Basalt and Old Snowmass.

The north side of the Red Hill Special Recreation Management Area north of Carbondale.

The Crown southeast of Carbondale, with the exception of a mountain biking trail that parallels Prince Creek Road.

Thompson Creek and Holgate Mesa, southwest of Carbondale.

Williams Hill, southeast of Basalt.

Many lands managed by Pitkin County Open Space and Trails program also close for the winter starting Thursday.

In addition, the 21/2-mile section of the Rio Grande Trail between Rock Bottom Ranch and Catherine Bridge closed at 5 p.m. Wednesday and won’t reopen until May 1.