Columbine Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest is gathering input about the development of a proposal to groom portions of the Junction Creek Road (NFSR 171) and Junction Creek Campground.
The proposed project area is northwest of Durango. Snow grooming operations would be for Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking, while maintaining existing motorized uses.
The initial proposal is for a local nonprofit to groom Junction Creek Campground and the entire width of the Junction Creek road, ending grooming operations at the Animas Overlook. Different user-groups would be directed to different areas. The project proposes to groom the campground and 3 miles of trail the first year and expand grooming operations over five years until reaching the Animas Overlook. This would be managed under a special use permit.
A local proponent approached the Columbine Ranger District and submitted a proposal to create a nonprofit organization to groom and maintain winter trails in the Durango area.
For project information and maps, visit www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=60080. To comment, email jessica.ramirez@usda.gov.
For more information, contact James Simino at 884-1438 or james.simino@usda.gov.
