Forest Service reopens more areas, roads previously closed from the Caldor Fire

Beginning today, most of the Caldor fire area in the Eldorado National Forest will again be open for public access. Visitors are reminded to use extra caution when recreating in this part of the forest due the hazards in recently burned landscapes. The following roads, trails and developed recreation sites directly impacted by the fire will remain closed for ongoing hazard mitigation under Forest Order 03-22-06: Elkins Flat OHV Trail System11N46 (Alder Creek Road)10N40 (Plum Creek Road)42 Milestone Day Use AreaCaples Creek TrailheadCaples Equestrian TrailheadCapps Crossing CampgroundChina Flat Campground and Day Use AreaEagle Rock Day Use AreaElkins Flat OHV Staging AreaGray Rock CampgroundLyons Creek TrailheadMartin Meadows CampgroundPyramid Creek TrailheadSilver Fork Campground Forest Service reopens El Dorado National Forest dirt roads The seasonal closure of native surface roads (also known as dirt roads) in the Eldorado National Forest will be lifted beginning Friday April 1, 2022. However, damage could still occur from using dirt roads in wet areas and visitors will be responsible for any damage caused by inappropriate use. Due to melting snow, wet areas will still be present in the forest, especially at higher elevations. Many routes change in elevation over several miles. Visitors are encouraged to be aware of changes in the conditions of the roads they are using, and to adjust travel plans if they reach a wet section. The seasonal closure is designed to protect roadbeds and watersheds from damage and to protect water quality. A minimum three month closure period from January 1 through March 31 was designated for the core part of the wet season in the Eldorado National Forest Travel Management Plan. This plan also allows the seasonal dirt road closure to start earlier or be extended based on actual conditions in a given year. The seasonal closure does not affect routes in the Rock Creek Area near Georgetown, which has its own wet weather route closure process.