The Columbine Ranger District will close the Forest Road 578 Hermosa Creek Road to motorized traffic for seasonal purposes on the evening of Nov. 14 through May 1, 2020.

Forest Road 578 is the main access to the Hermosa area, a popular location for hunting. Fourth rifle season started Wednesday, and the last day of use for FR 578 is Thursday. The road will close for the season after dark Thursday.

Spur roads and motorized trails located behind closed gates are also closed. Any hunters who are hunting in the Hermosa area accessed by FR578, such as the Elbert Creek Road and the Cascade Divide Road, will need to exit the area before 6 p.m. Thursday.

Other spur roads closing includes, Columbine District roads Elbert Creek Road (FR 581) and the Cascade Divide Road (FR 579) and Dolores District roads Roaring Fork Road (FR 435), Scotch Creek Road (FR 55) and Barlow Creek/Bolam Pass (FR 578) Road off of Highway 145 near Rico.

This road closes to prevent damage, protect public health and safety and implement travel management direction in the congressionally designated Hermosa Special Management Area and the Purgatory Ski Resort Use Permit Area. The road will reopen for use in May of 2020.

For more information, call the Columbine Ranger District at 884-2512 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/main/sanjuan/maps-pubs.