Long Draw Road, located on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District 53 miles up the Poudre Canyon, is closed starting this week to allow for hazardous tree removal along the road, the U.S. Forest Service announced in a news release.
The trees marked for removal have been hit by the mountain pine beetle and are a safety hazard if not taken down. Because of that, the Forest Service has announced that no foot or vehicle traffic will be allowed on the road starting today unless specifically authorized by the U.S. Forest Service, according to the release.
“We understand this is a popular area, especially for hunters, but it’s crucial for us to cut and remove these trees for the public’s safety,” Canyon Lakes District Ranger Kevin Atchley said in the release. “I know this is an inconvenience, but this effort should make it safer in future years for the public to enjoy the Long Draw area.”
The road likely will be closed until next year. The road is typically open from July 1 through November 30, depending on the conditions, according to the release.
“This is one of many seasonal road closures that occur in Colorado every year.” Said Mark Leslie, Area Wildlife Manager in Fort Collins for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, in the release. “Every hunter, regardless of their destination this fall should check with the land management agency that oversees the area they are planning to hunt to see if seasonal issues such as mudslides, fires, road repairs or beetle mitigation will change access routes.”
To help hunters identify land management agencies and potential impacts from road and land closures, hunters can visit:
http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/PlanYourHunt/RoadClosures/Pages/RoadClosures.aspx
For more information about the specific closure on the Long Draw Road, contact the U.S. Forest Service Canyon Lakes Ranger District Visitor Information at 970-295-6700.
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