Firewood permits on sale in Cortez, Dolores and Mancos
Firewood permits are on sale at the Forest Service/BLM offices in Durango, Bayfield, Dolores and Pagosa; also, Kroeger’s Hardware in Durango, City Market in Cortez, Dolores Food Market, and Cox Conoco in Mancos. Ponderosa cutting area on the Dolores district include Lake Canyon, and Rock Springs.
Big-game hunting seasons are ramping up
Hunting seasons for big game is as follows: First rifle season will be Oct. 10-14 (draw elk only); second rifle season will be Oct. 17-25; third rifle season will be Oct. 31-Nov. 8; fourth rifle season will be Nov. 11-15.
Campground reservations wind up, but some remain open
Campground reservations are done for the season, but some campgrounds remain open for use but without services (water, electric, trash).
Campgrounds still open in Dolores include Bradfield, Burro Bridge, Cayton, House Creek, McPhee, Mavreeso, and Transfer. For Pagosa: Cimarrona and Palisade Horse Camp. For Columbine: Florida, Haviland Lake, Junction Creek, Lower Hermosa, Miller Creek, Pine River, Sig Creek, Snow Slide, South Mineral, Transfer Park, Vallecito.
Roads begin to show some seasonal changes
San Juan Public Lands roads are mostly open for the season. In Pagosa, the Chris Mountain Road (FS681) is closed.
In Dolores, the West Fork Road (FS535) past Dunton is unable to handle trailers between the Navajo Lake trailhead and Hwy. 145 because of severe road damage.
Silverton area passes are open, but due to afternoon precipitation, road conditions can change quickly.
For current road status, check our web site at: www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan/
Highway 550 at Red Mountain Pass just south of Ouray is now open weekdays. Single lane closures and work continue until November 15th.
Trails show effect of weather; McPhee marina is open
Dolores: Fish Creek Trail – horses not recommended because of slide damage.
Upper Calico Trail is washed out; horses and dirt bikes are not recommended until the trail dries out and is repaired; to access Calico use the East or West Falls Creek trails.
Pagosa: West Fork/Rainbow Hot Springs subject to lots of deadfall and washouts. Not recommended.
Also, the marina and both docks are open at the McPhee boat ramp.
Fall colors soon will change to shades of winter
The estimated percentage of current fall foliage is as follows: Durango to Purgatory 65 percent; Molas Pass, 85 percent; Silverton/Red Mountain Pass (past peak); Pagosa, 50 percent north, 80 percent south; Dolores to Lizard Head Pass is a bit past peak, but still good pockets; Mancos/La Platas, 95 percent to past peak.
Recommended viewing areas are Molas/Lime Creek, Lizard Head/Telluride, Missionary Ridge, and Buckles Lake south of Pagosa.
For more information on fall colors please contact the San Juan Public Lands Center, Durango (970) 247-4874.
The San Juan Region Outdoor Recreation Hotline is sponsored by Pine Needle Mountaineering, San Juan Mountains Association and San Juan Public Lands.
If you have any questions regarding conditions on the San Juan National Forest or BLM lands, please call us (970) 247-4874; check out our web address at www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan or stop by the San Juan Public Lands Center, Pagosa, Dolores or Bayfield Public Lands Offices. Open Monday- Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
