As the snow has finally begun to fall in Southwest Colorado, so too has the elevation at which the region’s abundant wildlife is spending its days. With that transition from higher-country living comes the need to respect the privacy of the deer and elk that have increased their numbers in the lower country. Seasonal trail closures in the Grandview Ridge and Animas City Mountain areas aim to do just that. Beginning Tuesday, then, trails enthusiasts will have to look to the many other offerings in and around Durango – for the next month at a minimum.

The Bureau of Land Management’s decision to close the areas was triggered by Colorado Parks and Wildlife data that show growing numbers of deer and elk inhabiting the popular trail areas as snow deepens at more secluded venues typically frequented by the animals. Because surviving the winters is more energy-intensive than during other seasons, the animals need space from wandering humans in order to conserve that energy. When humans happen upon deer and elk, the animals are compelled to make haste and find a more private setting – an activity requiring more expenditure of energy, thanks to snow. By providing the animals with a few visitor-free enclaves for the height of the snowy season, wildlife and land managers aim to boost the animals’ winter experience and outcomes.

By basing closures on real-time conditions instead of just using the calendar to make the determination, the BLM employs a balanced approach that provides trail users with access for as long as circumstances allow. The warm weather and dearth of early-season snowfall prompted the BLM to keep trails open longer than in years past, allowing for extended, if muddy, access to Animas City Mountain and Grandview Ridge trails. Until at least March 1 and no later than April 15, though, the upper reaches of Animas Mountain, Sale Barn and Big Canyon, South Rim, Telegraph and Sidewinder trails will all be off limits.

The closures by no means condemn trail users to a winter of confinement. Durango’s abundant options for outdoor recreation offer runners, hikers, snowshoers, sledders, skiers, equestrians and cyclists plenty of alternatives to Animas City Mountain and Grandview’s trails. Overend Mountain Park’s 12-mile trail network provides a wide range of convenient in-town trail options, as do the Horse Gulch, Dalla Mountain Park, and Raider Ridge. Farther out of town, trails abound: The Colorado Trail, Purgatory Flats and Cascade Creek are just a few of the many easily accessible winter trail choices.

Durango’s rural setting defines ours as a region in which humans live in close proximity to wildlife and a range of natural features that offer a rich menu of recreational opportunities to all who live and visit here. Being aware of and striking a balance between the human and environmental demands and desires on these resources is essential, and the BLM has done well with its reasonable seasonal closures. For the next month or two, trail users can take advantage of the nudge to get and explore other venues, and the deer and elk can enjoy a little winter solitude.