Logging, forest regeneration projects prompt closures near Sunlight Mountain

Logging and forest regeneration projects have prompted the closure of rights of way near Sunlight Mountain, according to a U.S. Forest Service news release. 

Fourmile Road (FSR 300) is closed to all vehicles, including snowmobiles, at the gate about ½-mile above the snowmobile parking area, the release states. This is right after the road passes through last year’s aspen cutting, where skiers typically park to ski Williams Peak.  

In addition, the first two miles of the Sunlight to Powderhorn Trail are closed to all vehicles, including snowmobiles, the release states. The closure begins where the trail intersects the Beaver Creek Trail and ends at the intersection with the Fourmile Trail. 

“We appreciate everyone’s patience and willingness to respect this closure while logging operations are underway,” Acting Aspen-Sopris District Ranger Jennifer Schuller said in the release. “This work will help stimulate forest regeneration, improving the wildlife habitat, and long-term forest health in the area.” 

Two logging operations are underway in the Fourmile area to improve forest health.   

An aspen regeneration project across five areas totaling 194 acres is taking place in the county line area. Clear-cutting and removing mature aspen stimulates their root system to vigorously regenerate. Felled trees are chipped on site and trucked to the biomass plant in Gypsum, the release states. 

A spruce-fir regeneration project is underway where small (0.5-2 acres) patches of spruce-fir are being cut from seven units totaling 823 acres. The logs are being trucked to a mill in Montrose.   

Snowmobilers can use alternate routes such as the Fourmile Trail and the Pipeline Trail to travel around both closures and resume travel on the Fourmile Road/Sunlight-to-Powderhorn Trail. For information on this closure, call the Supervisor’s Office at 970-945-2521, or visit fs.usda.gov/whiteriver.