The safety of our community is our top priority, and we are committed to doing our part to limit the spread of the virus. 

Updated: Friday April 3rd, 2020​

• As of March 26th, Gilpin County closed the Tolland Road to the East Portal/Moffat Tunnel Trailhead into the James Peak Wilderness. Gilpin County Board of Health Order No. 20-1 closing portions of Tolland, Apex Valley, and Columbine Campground Roads in response to matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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• Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland Close Developed Recreation Sites (including Brainard Lake): "Given the demonstrated risk of exposure to COVID-19 from large, concentrated gatherings of people, USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region officials are temporarily discouraging continued recreational use on the national forests and grasslands. Crowded conditions in recent days in parking areas, trailheads, and at popular forest and grassland destinations are undermining the country’s critical efforts to contain the spread. At this time, all restrooms, including those at trailheads, on the Forests and Grassland will be closed. Picnic areas and day use areas that are typically open this time of year will also be closing. The warming huts at both Berthoud Pass and Brainard Lake are already closed." Read the full release at www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD716422. 

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• If you are heading to the mountains, we strongly recommend that you reconsider and stay closer to home while Colorado is on a statewide stay-at-home order. You can still recreate outdoors, just do so in your own neighborhood parks and outdoors spaces. Visitors from the Boulder-Denver metro areas and other Front Range cities have been heading to the mountains in record numbers causing issues with social distancing and strains on local services. In response, state parks and national forests have begun closing facilities and trails to the public. Rocky Mountain National Park and the adjacent town of Estes Park are closed. Mountain communities like Estes Park and Nederland have declared emergencies to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in their at-risk mountain communities. Some roads into mountain areas and towns have begun restricting access to local residents only. 

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• The Forest Service has suspended all volunteer patrols (including IPWA Winter Patrols) until further notice. In an effort to minimize any further strain on emergency services this is one step that we can take while we take a tactical pause to focus on larger public health concerns. Please read the US Forest COVID-19 Guidance.

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• Online volunteer registration for new and returning volunteers has been postponed to May 1st 2020. There is a strong possibility that future activities such as volunteer training, summer patrols and trail projects will also be affected. In the event of a cancellation, we will update this page and notify volunteers directly via email with any changes and/or cancellation of programs, projects and training events as soon as possible before the event's scheduled date.  

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• IPWA is regularly monitoring available governmental information regarding COVID-19 guidelines and will adhere to these recommendations, which may include restrictions on who may be able to attend volunteer events and whether events may take place at all. To see the latest information, visit Colorado's COVID-19 Response Page and visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Coronavirus Page. 

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• Please read the Leave No Trace Recommendations for Getting Outside during COVID-19. This page includes important tips such as: ​

  • "Stay home or stay local: While it can be disappointing, the best thing to do might be to stay home, especially if you are sick. Even if you are not symptomatic, saying home is still a good idea. Park rangers, volunteers, and locals in the often small and rural gateway communities near our favorite outdoor spaces need to be kept safe and healthy too. That’s not to say you need to be stuck indoors though unless it is mandated. Now is the time to enjoy your local trails, open spaces, and parks. Rather than travel to big name outdoor areas, see what is available in your own backyard and neighborhood."

  • "We are all in this together. Be considerate of other outdoor visitors by washing your hands regularly and using hand sanitizer when hand washing facilities are not available, sneezing and coughing into a tissue or your elbow, and keeping group sizes small. Also be kind to park staff during these challenging times. Help them do their job by doing your part to take care of each other and the land."​

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Please join us in this effort by familiarizing yourself with the symptoms of COVID-19 (these include, but are not limited to, fever, cough, and shortness of breath) and complying with local, state and federal regulations. Recreate responsibly by staying local and going to trails and parks in your own neighborhood and maintaining social distancing at no less than six feet apart. 

We thank you for your understanding and participation in making sure our trails stay safe for all. 

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If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at hikers@indianpeakswilderness.org.

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