Snowmass to enact winter closures in December to aid ungulates

Snowmass will close a series of trails and open spaces beginning Dec. 1 to give its ungulate population space through the winter.

The town strives to reduce human interaction with elk, deer, and other hooved mammals, which descend to lower elevations as winter arrives. This period of colder temperatures and fewer resources is traditionally stressful for the animals, according to Snowmass Animal Services Officer Michelle Mack. Human interaction, she said, can spook the animals and force them to burn calories they need to get through the winter. 

“If humans disturb them, they use that energy they should be using for grazing to run away from humans,” Mack said. 

She added that female elk are pregnant this time of year and must focus on consuming additional calories and wintering in a warmer — in this case lower — climate. 

Beginning Dec. 1, the Rim Trail North and Upper North Mesa Equestrian Trail, which start by Snowmass Town Park and run north of town, will be closed. Seven Star, Ditchline, Viewline, and Deadline trails, located near Owl Creek Road, will also be closed on Dec. 1, Mack said. The trails will reopen on May 16. 

“This is probably the most important time for elk and deer,” she said, adding the winter trail closures are based on the ungulates’ historical wintering patterns.

Several other trails will also be closed in the spring to promote ungulate health. The Anaerobic Nightmare Trail will be closed from April 25 through June 27, and the Sequel and Tom Blake trails will be closed from April 25 through June 20. The Government Trail east of Elk Camp Work Road will be closed from May 15 through June 27, according to a press release. 

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Protecting ungulate habitat in the spring is important as that’s when they give birth to their young, and can become more territorial when confronted by humans, according to Mack. Human interaction could also risk spooking the ungulates and separating a mother from its offspring.

“It is detrimental to wildlife to have people going through here when they’re trying to raise their young,” Snowmass Assistant Town Manager Greg LeBlanc said.

Wildlife cameras will be used in the closed areas to enforce the policy. A first offense will yield a $100 fine and a second offense will prompt a summons to the court, Mack said. The press release also states the town has a “zero-tolerance policy for trail closure violations and fines can reach up to $5,000.”

Though ungulates are descending to lower elevations in search of warmer winter conditions, Mack emphasized that humans are the ones that historically moved into their territory, and that living with wildlife is a privilege.

“They need your respect,” she said, “if you want to continue to live with them.”

Skyler Stark-Ragsdale can be reached at 970-429-9152 or email him at sstark-ragsdale@aspentimes.com.