Hazardous Fuels Reduction operations will impact trails for 6-8 weeks on Peabody Placer and nearby trails. Cyclists and hikers are advised to be aware of closures and plan ahead.
SUMMIT COUNTY - Summit County, the Town of Breckenridge, Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS), and the United States Forest Service (USFS) have partnered to continue Hazardous Fuels Reduction (HFR) work on the Wildland-Urban Interface in the Golden Horseshoe near Breckenridge. The project, funded by the Summit County Strong Future fund with matching funds from the Denver Water Forests to Faucets grant program will begin in late July. Crews will be harvesting timber from 86 acres across three distinct treatment areas off Gold Run Gulch Road, on the Peabody Placer Open Space, and nearby USFS lands.
Upcoming Trail Impacts
Full closures on Upper Flume, Middle Flume, and Hard Luck trails, and temporary closures on Extension Mill Road will be in place while heavy machinery is working on and around trails in the treatment areas. Closures may last up to five days, Monday through Friday, and trails will be reopened on weekends and for special events.
“Our goal is to minimize the impacts of this project on trail users and the trails themselves while meeting our fuels reduction goals. The benefits of this project are long-lasting, and the impacts will be short-lived. We appreciate your patience as we complete this cross-boundary fuels reduction effort,” says Anne Lowe with Breckenridge Open Space & Trails.
Trails will fully reopen when conditions are safe for recreation, but machinery will continue to work in the treatment areas and cross trails, when necessary, throughout the duration of the project. Hauling will occur on Tiger Road and Gold Run Gulch Road and users should be prepared to encounter logging trucks along these routes throughout the project. Work must be completed by October 31st, and completion is anticipated within 6-8 weeks of the start date.
“Thanks to our close partnership with the Colorado State Forest Service, Summit County and the Town of Breckenridge, we are able to more effectively reduce fuels near communities and improve forest health,” said Dillon District Ranger Adam Bianchi.
For your safety, please obey all posted closures and signage, and use caution when travelling through areas with active logging. Trail closures can be avoided by using Gold Run Gulch Road and Slalom trails. Project information can also be found on popular recreation apps including AllTrails, Trailforks and MTB Projects.
Closure and Alternate Trail Information
For project updates, including start dates, closure notifications, alternate routes, and general information, please visit the project webpage and follow related social media accounts from both Breckenridge Open Space & Trails and Summit County Government.