Winter is coming. And with the cool temperatures and snowy days come closures of both pedestrian and motor vehicle trails around La Plata County.

The U.S. Forest Service is preparing to close 21 roads in the San Juan Mountains, 14 of which are scheduled to close by the end of the week, according to a news release from the federal agency. The roads scheduled to close this week will be shut down until April 30.

Road closures come every year as the Forest Service tries to protect people from dangerous roads and shelter wildlife from the impacts of vehicle traffic, according to the news release.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is also closing some trails in the Durango area. The Bodo State Wildlife Area will be closed from Dec. 1 to April 15, except for Smelter Mountain, said Stephen Souva with CPW. Smelter Mountain will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, and dogs are prohibited, he said.

Perins Peak will also be closed from Dec. 1 to April 15, except for spring turkey season when hunting license holders are allowed in the area, Souva said.

Many trails in the Grandview Ridge trail network will also be closed from Dec. 1 to April 15, including the Big Canyon and Sale Barn trailheads, the South Rim Trail and parts of Sidewinder and Cowboy trails accessible from Carbon Junction, said Mary Monroe Brown with Trails 2000.

The upper portion of Animas City Mountain will be closed from Dec. 1 to April 15, along with the upper trail around Twin Buttes, Monroe Brown said.

Lake Nighthorse has already closed and will remain closed until April, said Parks and Recreation Director Cathy Metz.

Accessing trails while they’re closed is considered trespassing, Metz said. Fee penalties for trespassing vary by agency.

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Road closures

U.S. Forest Service’s annual road closures:
Hermosa Park No. 578, Nov. 15-April 15
Crowbar Creek No. 755, Dec. 1-April 30
East Vallecito No. 603, Dec. 1-April 30
Fosset Gulch No. 613, Dec. 1-April 30
Lange Canyon No. 132, Dec. 1-April 30
Relay Station No. 743, Dec. 1-April 30
Sauls Creek No. 608, Dec. 1-April 30
Turkey Creek No. 615A, Dec. 1-April 30
Beaver Meadows No. 135 upper @ Moonlick Road, 9.5 miles, from Dec. 1-May 31
Haviland Lake No. 671, Dec. 1-May 31
First Notch No. 620 upper, 7.1 miles, Dec. 1-May 31
Junction Creek No. 171 at upper Animas Overlook, Dec. 1-May 31
Little Molas No. 584, Dec. 1-May 31
Middle Mountain No. 724 at Berri Park, Dec. 1-May 31
Missionary Ridge No. 682, 6.8 miles, Dec. 1-May 31
Spring Creek No. 537, Dec. 26-April 30
Beaver Meadows No. 135 lower at Ute Park Road, 2.6 miles, Jan. 1-April 30
First Notch No. 620 lower at highway, Jan. 1-April 30
Junction Creek No. 171 lower at first Colorado Trail trailhead, Jan. 1-April 30
Red Creek No. 599, Jan. 1-April 30
East Florida No. 596/597, Jan. 1-May 31