The U.S. Forest Service announced a portion of the Pine River Trail has been closed for public safety as a result of flooding and high water, which are causing the trail to collapse.
The popular recreational route is closed 9 miles from the trailhead, north of Vallecito Reservoir.
“The temporary trail section closure is necessary to provide for public safety and the safety of work crews during completion of repairs to the approximately 100 feet of damaged trail,” the Forest Service said in a news release. “The trail will be under repair during the months of July, August and September. ... Access up-trail beyond the closure will require stock and hikers to ford the Pine River to bypass the worksite during reconstruction efforts.”
Trails across the San Juan National Forest have experienced extensive damage from this winter’s snowpack and associated avalanche activity. Further impacts to trails have been felt this spring and summer as snow melts.
The trail closure began Monday and will last through Sept. 30, unless rescinded earlier.
Signs will be posted notifying visitors to the area of the closure. For more information, call the Columbine Ranger District at 884-2512.
More information about the closure and a map can be found online at https://bit.ly/2N5yzFH.
