Areas in Rocky Mountain National Park closed for elk rut

Rocky Mountain National Park – Park officials have closed certain areas to travel on foot or horse off established roadways or designated trails from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. The closures last through Oct. 31 and are effective in Horseshoe Park, Upper Beaver Meadows, Moraine Park, Harbison Meadow and Holzwarth Meadow.

Fishing in the Fall River, Thompson River or Colorado River within the posted areas and during the closure period is prohibited.

The purpose of the closures is to prevent disturbance and harassment of elk during their fall mating period and to enhance visitor elk viewing opportunities. As always, elk calling and the use of spotlights or vehicle headlights for spotting wildlife is prohibited in the Park.

Fuels Reduction

Hazard tree removal, fuels reduction, and material piling began along road corridors on the east side of the Park and on the north side of Deer Mountain starting as early as Sept. 6 and continuing through fall. Road corridor hazard tree removal will occur along upper Bear Lake Road from Glacier Basin Campground to Bear Lake Trailhead and along Highway 34 from West Horseshoe Park to Many Parks Curve.

Goals of these projects are to mitigate potential hazard trees and help reduce the accumulation of fuel. Tree felling operations will not be conducted on weekends or holidays.

Park officials warn motorists to anticipate delays along roads of up to 15 minutes during contract work periods.

Material will be piled for future burning during the winter of 2012 or 2013.

A similar road corridor hazard tree removal project was completed along Trail Ridge Road on the west side of the park earlier this summer.

For more information about this project, visit http://www.nps.gov/romo/naturescience/forest_health.htm.