The 9-mile McPhee Overlook Trail will soon be entirely open to the public.
The 1-mile section from Dolores to May Canyon is now open, and the 6-mile section from May Canyon to House Creek Campground is scheduled to open, Monday, May 1.
The seasonal trail closure offered forage, shelter and protection to herds during the winter.
Herds are forced to rely on stored fat and are often at the edge of starvation when new growth starts to sprout in late spring. Deer and elk, especially pregnant females, spooked by human activity become stressed and may not survive the winter.
Notices of seasonal closures are posted at trailheads in Dolores and House Creek Campground, and adherence to closures is enforced by Forest Service law-enforcement officials.
For more information, call Dolores Ranger District at 882-7296.
