Dolores, Pagosa ranger districts opening roads and trails ahead of schedule

Low- and mid-elevation roads and trails on the Dolores and Pagosa ranger districts are opening ahead of the usual schedule as April warmth eats away at a thin mountain snowpack, but San Juan National Forest is warning that the early access comes with real hazards for riders, ranchers and visitors heading into the high country.

The forest said staff on the Dolores Ranger District, led by Nicholas Mustoe, and the Pagosa Ranger District, led by Joshua Peck, have begun opening roads as conditions allow. Roads closed to protect elk and deer are scheduled to open May 1, while upper-elevation and backcountry roads are expected to open June 1 or later, depending on snow, mud and lingering damage.

That early thaw reflects a dry, warm spring across the Interior West. Colorado’s statewide snow water equivalent was about 22% of the 30-year median on April 1, one of the clearest signs that low and mid-elevation terrain in southwest Colorado melted out faster than normal. NOAA’s spring outlook also favored above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation, a combination that can speed trail openings while leaving high-country routes unstable and vulnerable to damage.

Forest managers are urging people to stay off wet and muddy roads and trails, respect gate closures and avoid traveling on live vegetation along trail edges. The concern is not just inconvenience. Hikers, bikers, horses and vehicles can widen soft routes, tear up saturated ground and leave scars that last well beyond spring runoff. Travelers are also being warned to expect snowdrifts, down trees, waterlogged roads and other debris even where access looks open on paper.

The caution is sharpened by flood damage left behind by the Oct. 10-13, 2025 storms. Severe flooding damaged roads, vehicle bridges and trail bridges across parts of the San Juan National Forest, especially on the Columbine and Pagosa ranger districts. Wilderness trail bridges on Vallecito Creek and West Fork were destroyed, and replacements are not expected until at least 2027. The forest has also received Federal Highway Administration emergency relief money, with repair work slated to begin as early as spring 2026 and continue through 2027.

For Dolores County residents planning trips, the practical advice is to check current road conditions before heading out. The forest said the best way to confirm access is through the Roads Conditions webpage or by calling the district offices: Columbine at 970-884-2512, Dolores at 970-882-7296 and Pagosa at 970-264-2268. The opening of some roads now does not mean the backcountry is safe, fully repaired or ready for heavy traffic.